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Installing a masterlink

  • Thread starter Thread starter J_C
  • Start date Start date
J

J_C

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I'm embarrassed; after 2.5 years I would have thought I wouldnt have this kind of problem...

I can't get the damn masterlink to squeeze together enough in order to get the clip on (I know the direction of the clip and all that, no worries there). I can see the grooves, it's SOO close, but I just can;t get any more leverage on it to squish them closer together.

It's an RK 530 X ring masterlink. It came lubed from the factory. I'm using a pair of channel locks. Any advice??
 
I usually use the old side plate as a spacer and squeeze the new side plate on with a pair of large channel lock pliers. It's worked every time for me.
 
Last edited:
advice ...

DO NOT USE THE CLIP.. IT WILL POSSIBLY CAUSE A BAD TIME ..
i repeat donot use the clip do it properly. goto a store and get them to do it.. if you dont know how to or dont have the tools.



cause theres nothing like a load of flexible steel comming at you at speed. or somone else
 
appreciate the advice, but in this thread I'm more interested in getting it to work. I wont be going to any shops or otherwise on a bike without a chain
 
Thanks Sandy... using the channel locks now.... just not sure how the spacer would work?
 
the easy way

the easy way

is to clamp them up with slip jaw pliers ( is that what you call channel locks) as tight as you can by hand, then give the jaw of the pliers a sharp smack with a hammer, side plate normally goes on then.
 
I have used a couple of nuts the correct size backed by a short strip of steel to even out the force from the pliers.
 
Channel locks or a C-clamp work pretty well. Key thing is to use something (like 1000E mentioned) to give you something to press on. A couple of small nuts over the master link pins works or use a screwdriver blade in between the pins and press on that.

Good luck.
 
when the side plate goes up on the pins, it should stick there & the clip will slide on easily. BE SURE after the clip is installed, to pry the sideplate back out, tight against the clip. this pressure is what holds the clip in place.
 
Squeeze the new side plate on until it's flush with pins then put the old side plate over the new one and squeeze until it's flush with pins. The old side should then come off easily and the then you should have enough room for the clip. Test fit the old plate and if the old plate might be to tight just file the hole a bit. It gives you the ability to press on the new plate in one shot without it cocking sideways as when you press the new plate over each pin separately. If the channel locks don't give enough leverage then use a c-clamp.
 
marz said:
advice ...

DO NOT USE THE CLIP.. IT WILL POSSIBLY CAUSE A BAD TIME ..
i repeat donot use the clip do it properly. goto a store and get them to do it.. if you dont know how to or dont have the tools.

cause theres nothing like a load of flexible steel comming at you at speed. or somone else
Click to expand...

cause theres nothing like a load of flexible steel comming at you at speed. or somone else[/QUOTE]

I somewhat agree with Marz as I had my 630 chain come off at 100 mph with my wife on the back passing a line of 5 cars. Luckily the chain didn't hang up on anything to cause the rear wheel to lock up or break the cases. On another occasion I got lucky and spotted the missing clip and falling out master link during pre-flight. Needless to say I will only use the rivets now.

My suggestion if your going to use a removeable clip is make sure the U in the clip is up front (facing forward) in the normal direction of chain travel. Then use safety wire to hold the link on. Safety wire is just stainless piano wire. You cut a short piece (5") wrap it behind the link plate and the over the clip and then grab the two loose ends and spin with pliers till its tight. Snip off the loose ends then fold whats left into the recess at the center of the clip. Gives some additional holding power.

Racers use to have to do this in the old days to get on the track so there may be a better description on the net with pictures if you search. If you clean your chain with a rag and WD 40 sometimes rubbing the rag on the chain can inadvertently loosen or remove the clip.

Your results may differ. My lawyer suggest I say that when i give advice.
 
I install the link with the chain ends meeting on the rear sprocket at the 1:00 position. Channel locks or vise grips will usually draw the plates together, but if not then I use nuts over the pins and a c-clamp. I use the channel locks to pull the link onto the pins rather than tapping it on (less chance of it flying off, never to be found). Finally, tap the pins with a small hammer to loosen up the plates and tighten up the link (the sprocket takes the force, not the links).
 
I've always cleaned the U-clip, and the outside surface of the link-plate real well w/acetone or the like, and then after installing the clip, I put a good dab of silicone RTV right in the middle of the clip/side-plate. Never lost a clip, much less had a chain come apart.
 
Thank you all for the help.... how does this look? Please view closely, not sure if the right side (open end) should be closer together or not....
 
That's what I was afraid of.... I can't get it to seat any better than this. I'll keep trying
 
rphillips said:
when the side plate goes up on the pins, it should stick there & the clip will slide on easily. BE SURE after the clip is installed, to pry the sideplate back out, tight against the clip. this pressure is what holds the clip in place.
Click to expand...

I have to disagree. The clip is an extra safety measure, that is all. If you try to undo the side plate to press against the clip, the clip might pop off, and then where would you be? A properly installed master link plate will stay on without a clip because of the interference fit with the posts. It should definitely be pressed on as far as possible. The clip should be put on with the sharper edge away from the wheel and the closed end facing the direction of chain travel. It also needs to be completely closed back up in the same shape it is packaged in. Once its on, there should be a little clearance between it and the side plate.
 
Not good at all, when it fits in right, it will look just like you think it should look. Almost closed on the open end.
 
J_C said:
Thank you all for the help.... how does this look? Please view closely, not sure if the right side (open end) should be closer together or not....
Click to expand...

It definately doesn't look like the sideplate is in far enough. and it also looks like the clip is facing the wrong direction.
 
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