• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Installing new chain rivet type master link without chain tool

Chuck78

Chuck78

Forum Sage
Past Site Supporter
I was turned on to the method of installing the rivet style master links using a c-clamp and a steering ball bearing (hardened steel so it will do the job). I had no luck as the c-clamp would rock off center side to side due to the swivel part of the clamp. Using big vice grips, my buddy and I clamped and clamped and re-clamped the bearing into the drilled out end of the rivet type master link with very little deformity appearing.

Fast forward to my bike... Tried both methods again, not really doing much other than frustrating me. Could buy the Harbor Freight master link tool I suppose, but probably junk... Then it hit me, pull my bench vice off of the bench, and hold the bearings in place on the master pins using electrical tape! Worked GREAT first try! Now I know what is meant by "make sure you have proper deformity after riveting the master link pins!

attachment.php
 
The bearing cage in the photos is actually a bicycle headset bearing. I think you can probably buy individual bearings at a good hardware store if you have problems sourcing them. A motorcycle or bicycle shop if no luck there.

attachment.php
 
Cycle Gear has a chain tool that looks suspiciously like the Motion Pro tool with the exception of the box color. It is routinely on sale for around $40.
 
Drill a little hole in the center of the C clamp to hold the bearing from sliding around next time.
 
Or..............





You could just grind a flat on one side of the bearing! Then use the tape the lock it in place. Ray.
 
I safety wire AND silicone the clips on but believe the rivet links to be the best & least likely to give you issues at the worst possible moment. Ray.
 
solid chains are the best as far as worry free from loosing a clip. I have a carbide burr that chuck up in the die grinder and pin ends are gone in a matter of minutes for chain removals.
 
There was an outfit in Albany that was re-selling the DID tool for about $60 bucks a couple years ago, glad I picked one up then.

I've had two links come off at speed and found a third one missing its clip before going for a ride, would like to avoid that thrill from happening again. Yes I used safety wire as well. I'd use a master link to get me to a shop to have a new chian riveted but that's about as far as I want to go on a master anymore.
 
isleoman said:
I've had two links come off at speed and found a third one missing its clip before going for a ride, would like to avoid that thrill from happening again. Yes I used safety wire as well. I'd use a master link to get me to a shop to have a new chian riveted but that's about as far as I want to go on a master anymore.
Click to expand...

I have a similar record, but I have never had one come off from a chain that wasn't completely worn out, and never lost a safety wired and RTVed clip.

I like the blob of red RTV because it makes it easy to find the master link to check the safety wire before a ride.
 
Rivet links are the only way to go in today's high horsepower world. I was old school too with master links for many years.

Back in '86 I lost a clip then the chain at max rpm's!!! Took a chunk out of my tail section, destroyed the inner fender, chain guard, and engine chain cover. Plus bent all 8 exhaust valves.

That was the LAST time I ever used a clip master link again.
 
Two bikes, one has the clip and the other has the rivet. No doubt the riveted link provides a stronger chain. Luckily that one is on the 1100 and not the 1000.

Also, it's hard to find chain tools for the 630 chain. I don't think I ever found any, most work up to 530.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top