A tensioner lever for a chain or belt power transmission comprises a resin shoe having a shoe surface on which the chain or belt slides, and a back surface with a plunger-engaging part adjacent one end and a lever shaft bearing adjacent the other end. A shape-retaining groove extends longitudinally along the shoe through the plunger engaging part and the lever shaft bearing. A part of a strength-maintaining plate is fits in the shape-retaining groove and a part of the strength-maintaining plate is exposed.Simplification and weight reduction in the tensioner lever can be realized, and molding accuracy requirements are reduced. Assembly is simplified by pawls formed in openings in a side wall of the shoe, which cooperate with locking holes in the strength-maintaining plate. The pawls simplify disassembly for recycling and may be notched so that they can be broken away. A projection is provided on the plunger-engaging part of the shoe for limiting lateral deviation of the lever relative to the tensioner plunger.