Chain Master Link - Clip vs. Rivet?

[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

[tkent02]

ED, the KLR I just got has the clip safety wired just like in your picture. I know it has been on there a long time, as the PO did NO maintenance on anything ever, the guy before him must have done it. The wire never actually touches anything, not the sprocket, nor the other plates so it should not wear at all, should last forever. I'm going to start doing this to all of them, I'm tired of them coming off. It's also very easy to check visually before a ride.

[Nessism]

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

The OE chains used by Suzuki are endless - that means NO clip links. I'm not super knowledgeable on modern bikes but I've never seen an OE bike with a clip link from the factory.

[tkent02]

The OE chains used by Suzuki are endless - that means NO clip links. I'm not super knowledgeable on modern bikes but I've never seen an OE bike with a clip link from the factory.

That ought to tell you something, those endless chains are used at the factory for a reason.
Maybe they don't want to get sued every time a master link fails.

[Baatfam]

Just adding my $0.02 to the fire...

Never had an issue with master links, never lost one...never lost a clip...
Use them on the drag bike, as do most of the racers...
No wire, no RTV...

I cannot imagine how a new, good quality link and clip, if installed properly could fail.
Open end pointed in the right direction and the sharp edge out...how can that come off?

I know they have, I know people have experienced it, I just don't understand the mechanics of it.

[tkent02]

I know they have, I know people have experienced it, I just don't understand the mechanics of it.

I don't understand either, but I've seen it happen a few times.

[chef1366]

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

EK and DID chains
These chains always cost me over $100 for a good o-ring chain with ten cent clip style masters.

[rapidray]

I use the rivet style masters on everything, even my dragbikes. In the cases where I have had to use the clip style master, I safety wire them just like the picture of Ed's but I also then put silicone over the clip so it CAN'T go anywhere. Never lost a clip this way. Ray.

[simon kuether]

35 years , dirt , road .....only used clips and never had one fail . I have known of both to let go though . Each to their own . I just find rivets to be a pain in the arse when you change chains etc . Cheers , Simon .