Joe Bender-Zanoni wrote:
>
> These were called " banjo bolts"
>
> Imagine o-]-, The o is a like a washer over the axle to which is welded a
> threaded rod -- with a crosspiece ] engaging the end of a track dropout. Nut
> (not shown) adjusts the tension.
>
> I always thought these got in the way of adjusting tension with track nuts
> but the idea of utility with wing nuts has merit.
You really only need to use one tensioner on the right side track dropout to resist wheel pulling over when using wingnuts. But it also makes it very easy to make minute adjustments possible with track nuts too. (Some of my fixed gear bikes have a banjo bolt and some don't.)
Yes, the track chain tensioners were referred to as banjo bolts. However the road version (for forward facing dropouts) aren't banjo bolts.
Google.com image search under chain tensioner:
http://www.spaceports.com/
Google.com image search under banjo bolt came up with mostly fuel injection fittings.
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, CA
.