Tightening the Captain to Stoker Chain

[BobM]

Is there a way without special tools to synchronize and tighten the captain to stoker chain?

[TandemGeek]

Assuming you're still riding the Santana, here's a resource that may be of some assistance.
http://www.gtgtandems.com/tech/tchain.html

Although somewhat dated, it does address your Santana's eccentric adjustment process and was written by the gentleman who owns Santana.

In short, look for the two small set / grub screws under the front bottom bracket (although technically it's called an eccentric shell). Loosen them a few turns with the correct size hex wrench and that should allow you to rotate your eccentric, which is the large aluminum cylinder holding your front bottom bracket and to what your cranks are attached. Although Bill's procedure calls for a Park pin spanner, you can sometimes rotate the eccentric with your hands or use an improvised "pin spanner" vis-a-via a pair of needle nose pliers. You should be able to rotate it enough to relocate the sync chain as needed to get your cranks aligned any way that you like. Once everything is lined up, snug up the set screws, leaving about a 1/2" of play in the sync chain.

Some other links to additional postings that may be of interest can be found here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=3896976&postcount=7

[BobM]

Thanks everyone. I tightened the timing chain this morning. It was very simple thanks to all the advice. Now, is there a scientific method to aligning the cranks, or is it just by eye?

[TandemGeek]

It's pretty much by eye using the boom tube as a linear reference gauge.

At the esoteric level, when installing or re-installing timing chain rings you'll want to make make you get the rings aligned such that the teeth are all in phase: keeping the manufacturers ring marks (brand names, tooth numbers, etc..) aligned relative to the crank arms usually accomplishes this.

[kevbo]

Now, is there a scientific method to aligning the cranks, or is it just by eye?

By eye is more than close enough for me. There are arguments to be made for intentionally having the cranks a bit (or even 90 degrees) out of phase....NOT that I am trying to restart such a debate! Just saying that it is far from universally accepted that there is any great advantage to exact crank phasing.