Installing a masterlink

[salty_monk]

Hard to see but it looks like it hasn't seated properly yet to me....

Dan

[J_C]

That's what I was afraid of.... I can't get it to seat any better than this. I'll keep trying

[1980GS1000E]

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.

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.

[rphillips]

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.

[JHawkins]

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....

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

[salty_monk]

Depends if he's joining it at the top or the bottom of the chain "loop". Top it's the right way, lower I think it should be going the other way....

Heard about the Silicon trick being successful too, never heard of lock wiring but can't see any reason it wouldn't also make a good back-up.

Check it before every ride, always carry a spare or two are other bits of good advice I have heard.

Dan

[J_C]

i THINK i got it....

Thoughts?



Oh and the clip is the correct direction

[Clone]

If you put another sideplate from the old chain on the master link and then give it a squeeze with pliers or vice grips to compress it a bit more when you take the pliers off and the extra side plate you will probably get the master clip on.
Or you could find someone with a MIG welder to tack the pins.

Just noticed the picture, the easiest way is to put the master link on the back of the rear sprocket pointing down at the ground. Is the closed end of the clip up? Yes, good that is the correct orientation. If the closed end is down, change it.

[salty_monk]

It looks much better in the pic to me.... You might be right. You should be able to tell in person & felt it when it snapped in. I'd try the silicon trick too...

Dan

[SqDancerLynn1]

Looks much better, Clean it as sugested & put a dab of silicon on the clip

[J_C]

Thank you all. In the sake of safety, I'll follow the most dire of the opinions, which is Earl's...

This thing's a pain in the nuts. I can't get the left side to squeeze in any more, which is the one place it must be hanging up. (look above the left post right where it's slightly lighter in color... that's where it's stuck.) I don't know if I'd be able to get the clip off at this point without destroying it, but I could try.

I didn't have NEARLY this much trouble when I was doing it last time with the 630 chain.

[chef1366]

It's on. Now take it off and put some RTV under it.

[zeek93_2000]

chain

i used a coat hanger "cut" then put it through both links of chain and twisted the wire with vise grips till the chain got close enough to attach master no need for a chain pullers ..........that works great especially on my 96 link 630

[J_C]

i took it off... everything was seating fine, it's just that the clip bent slightly outwards, I bent it back and put it on and all is fine. I will investigate the rtv silicone as an additional saftey measure. Thank you all

[80GS1000]

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

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.

[/quote]




I'll only use a rivet master link as well. They never ever come apart and peace of mind is priceless. Once you have the chain riveter tool, it's quicker and easier to install than using a clip type master. This is probably one of those chain vs. shaft or synthetic vs. dino oil discussions.