Chain Master Link - Clip vs. Rivet?

[Nessism]

Bought a KMC 530 O-ring chain for my 1000S and the clip type master link makes me nervous since it was so easy to install (I'm used to fighting with them to get the plate down far enough for the clip to fit which I think means it's less likely to come off). It seems that KMC does not sell rivet-on master links so I either need to match up the KMC link with some other brand or maybe do something to assure the clip doesn't fly off. Found some info about safety wire on the clip but not sure if this is good enough. What say ye?

 

[salty_monk]

I don't see how it can come off now as the wire should stop the clip spreading...

 

[Steve]

Certainly that can't be YOUR bike??? :-k

Either your lens is dirty or there is actually some paint missing from the wheel and the sprocket is not shiny, either.



.

 

[posplayr]

Certainly that can't be YOUR bike??? :-k

Either your lens is dirty or there is actually some paint missing from the wheel and the sprocket is not shiny, either.



.

And we won't mention the rust on the chain :-&

Ed,
I think that wire should be tied off around the sproket to me more secure :-\\\
Jim


OK i confess me ED, has a clip and a dab of RTV professionaly installed by a bike shop in Redding CA (from the Mt Shasta trip) and my GS750 has no clip but uses wire around the pins with RTV. I'm not ridding it much at the moment.

 

[Nessism]

And what does the peanut gallery have to say about the concept of safety wire on the clip?

 

[hillsy]

And what does the peanut gallery have to say about the concept of safety wire on the clip?

Dodgy - go the rivet.

 

[Guest]

This peanut says peen the pin.

 

[GregT]

In roadracing, if it isn't a riveted chain, safety wire or a coating of RTV on the clip is acceptable - at least here in NZ and I believe OZ.
I'd have thought that if the clip was easier than usual to fit it means there's less trying to push it off.....

Greg T

 

[salty_monk]

That's not Ed's bike...

I reckon that's fine. I put a clip on the 550, used RTV not wire & it's been ok for the limited mileage it's seen.

Dan

 

[lurch12_2000]

And what does the peanut gallery have to say about the concept of safety wire on the clip?

I need a clip if you go with the riveted chain!

 

[steve murdoch]

Been using master link clips since 1985. Never had a problem.
A rivet peening kit came with the last bike so i will be using it, but i always felt safe with the clips.

 

[piester]

the pressure on the chain is on the rollers, pins, and sideplates themselves. none is being put on the clip. have you ever seen huge machinery with big chains like that? they mostly have clips holding them together incase it needs to be removed to make it easier. the safety wire isnt a bad idea but it will get worn down an broken. rtv would be fine to use on it. for a bit of added comfort you could use a dab of jbweld just in the center of the clip. and when its time to take it off just pop the jb off with a flat head

 

[Agemax]

there is nothing wrong with spring clips, i have used them on all my bikes and NEVER had one fail. if they are fitted correctly and facing the right way, they will not fail.
a badly maintained chain will fail on a seized or rusted link before the clip link will

 

[tkent02]

there is nothing wrong with spring clips, i have used them on all my bikes and NEVER had one fail. if they are fitted correctly and facing the right way, they will not fail.
a badly maintained chain will fail on a seized or rusted link before the clip link will

I have had a few clips come off over the years.
The last one was found sitting on the swingarm.
The side plate didn't even come off, this time.

I still use them sometimes. Maybe that's not too smart.

If the clip goes on too easily I would suspect it's old, or damaged, or perhaps made for a different brand master link, something not quite right.

If RTV can be trusted to hold little bolts on jet engines from coming loose it might work OK on a master link.

At least it's easy to keep an eye on it.

 

[Guest]

Safety wire is better than clip with no wire. Having had clips come off three different times (once at about a 100 with the wife on the back) I only go with riveted anymore.

 

[ukilme]

Never had an issue with the clip on the track. I would safety wire it and then put some red silicon on it. The red silicon was just added safety and also allowed for a quicker check when checking the chain. It would hold the safety wire in place and if the wire moved the silicon would break then I knew it was time to check the chain and safety wire it again.

 

[Nessism]

there is nothing wrong with spring clips, i have used them on all my bikes and NEVER had one fail. if they are fitted correctly and facing the right way, they will not fail.
a badly maintained chain will fail on a seized or rusted link before the clip link will

Blah, blah, blah. Yea, I guess all these people that lost the clip on their chains are idiots.

I wound up replacing the crappy KMC clip master link with a rivet pin RK master. Pin diameter was identical and the RK side plate was a snug press fit so the entire setup seem bullet proof now. Go the rivet.

 

[Agemax]

Blah, blah, blah. Yea, I guess all these people that lost the clip on their chains are idiots.

I wound up replacing the crappy KMC clip master link with a rivet pin RK master. Pin diameter was identical and the RK side plate was a snug press fit so the entire setup seem bullet proof now. Go the rivet.

well, if you buy cheap crappy chains in the first place what do you expect? you buy cheap quality parts you get cheap reliability

 

[Nessism]

well, if you buy cheap crappy chains in the first place what do you expect? you buy cheap quality parts you get cheap reliability

Are you talking to me and my KMC chain, or to all the others in this thread that have also had master link clips fall off? Are all the clips that fall off from "cheap quality parts"?

BTW, my KMC 530UO O-ring chain was $56 shipped and has an excellent tensile strength rating. It also has a crappy master link. I consider it a good purchase and would do it again.

 

[Agemax]

Are you talking to me and my KMC chain, or to all the others in this thread that have also had master link clips fall off? Are all the clips that fall off from "cheap quality parts"?

some people buy cheaper aftermarket parts, such as oil filters,air filters,oil,chains,sprockets,brake pads and tyres etc,etc.
they are of inferior quality, thats why they are cheaper, and invariably fail far quicker than more expensive or original manufactures parts.

how many owners that claim to have a master clip fall off have actually stated what brand of chain they were using? and most that have had one fail say they went out and bought a good quality chain after