Used 96 KHS Tandemania Comp
 

Long time listener, first time caller.

We bought a used Tandemania Comp, I believe its a 96 for 250 bucks a few months ago. Seems like a great deal, however the previous owner may have left it stored where its exposed to the environment. The timing chain snapped 100 feet from his driveway. We continued the test ride with my girlfriend pedalling and me steering (she was not too happy about that). We knocked off 25 bucks, and I cobbled up two old chains (different colors, one being 10 years older than the other to get the bike running. This weekend, we snapped the rear chain while out on the bike trail. I was able to put it back together (in the process, breaking 2 more links) and nurse our way to the nearest bike shop (Performance) to buy a new chain (bought 3 sets). Upon replacement, found that the old chain had at least 3 more cracks waiting to pop. Since replacing the chain, I decided to ride to the nearest REI where they had in stock a Shimano 14-34 7 speed Megarange freewheel to replace the old rusty 7 speed Suntour freewheel. To my surprise, the new freewheel would cause the chain to jam up on the smallest cog and the frame. The mechanic moved the spacers around, but would have to redish the wheel. We ended up locking out the smallest gear and returning the spacers to get me home since I have invested in bike tools and I've spent money on 3 chains, a freewheel, and labor for the swap. The only reason I had them work at this point is because I didn't want to have to buy the freewheel tool for the old Suntour.

The million dollar question(s), would it be better to add spacers on both side of the hub to prevent redishing, or just the drive side with a redish?

We are a fairly new team, 400 lb weight including the bike, but would like to tour in the future. The hubs seem to be stock generic cartridge bearing hubs, with freewheel and drum brake threading and solid axle on the rear. I am aware of potential axle breakage. I am going to be building a new wheelset when finances allow. There is also a mounting tab on the left chainstay, I imagine for an Arai drag brake. Can I use this to mount a disk brake?

We have a 2000 Tandemania Comp (that we hope to find a buyer for) - sounds like KHS upgraded a few things in four years. The rear hub on ours is Shimano that is threaded for a drag brake. The tab on the frame is for the drag brake and will not work for a disk brake, unless there is some strange adapter that I am unaware of. Ours came with an 8 speed freehub - I have since moved on up to 9-speed gearing.
Your chain was likely long overdue for replacement, as was the freewheel. I would guess you plan to convert to a 9 speed setup, which makes sense if you plan on touring with this bike. Especially since you plan on building wheels. In the meantime, if you can make it ridable with minimal expense.............I don't have the experience or expertise to say whether redishing or adding spacers, etc., is the way to go. Someone here will have good advice on that.
General observation: Is there room to add spacers on both sides? if that is done, is the wheel centered and does enough axle go beyond the dropout on each side to secure the wheel?
We have found our KHS to be a great basic tandem. It's rock-steady at speed.

I agree with the chain. Considering the front snapped as soon as both of us added power, I considered the rear on borrowed time. I played with the spacers yesterday and placed two axle washers on the drive side. I was still able to shove the wheel within the dropouts, and have plenty of room for the chain on the smallest cog. I also removed the yellowed dork disk which netted me some precious millimeters. I'll swap on of the washers into the non-drive side tomorrow and see if I can minimize of forgo the dishing. I agree with the KHS being a great basic tandem. It has wonderful bones to build on. Hopefully the stock wheelset survives till next year. I plan on stripping it down to the frame, have it powdercoated and modernize the drive train and wheelset. I'll probably stay with 8 speed, that way, all my five bikes can "share" chains.

A little bit easier to find 9-speed than 8-speed stuff but shouldn't be a problem. Chain-sharing is a plus.