Master link

[mike10]

I just noticed the little keeper that slips around the pins on the master link, in the drive chain is not there! Do I have to buy a whole chain to get one?

[Nessism]

Look at the chain markings to find out what brand, model, and size chain you have and then get a rivet link to replace that clip link. You will have to borrow or buy a rivet tool to install it but that's the safest thing to do. Of course you could always just look for a new clip but I don't recommend it.

I just replaced the clip link on my chain with a rivet link because the clip scared me. A busted chain can wad up inside the side cover over the drive sprocket and damage the engine or put you on the ground at speed. Not worth it.

[Tom MLC]

Ditto the riveted master. Most shops would be willing to install it for you for a resonable charge. I have one of the Motion Pro chain tools, but I'm a little too far away to be of help.

[feelergaugephil]

Not a GS, but I bought a 2001 Honda XR650 R which had a new engine, I rode it around for a while (60 miles) and I noticed it had non rivet link to keep the chain together, so, my brain said "get rid of that and get an endless chain"
Well, a week later, the chain snapped at 35 mph!!!!!!!!!
It went straight through the stock case saver and straight through the engine!!!!!!!
Fuxxing expensive!!! $900 later it's all fixed, I swapped it for a Husky the next day!

[chef1366]

I press the chain togeter with a vice-grip and peen the rivet with a center punch.
No tool needed.

[pmcburney]

Look at the chain markings to find out what brand, model, and size chain you have and then get a rivet link to replace that clip link. You will have to borrow or buy a rivet tool to install it but that's the safest thing to do. Of course you could always just look for a new clip but I don't recommend it.

Be aware, different brands of chains have different links - an RK link will NOT fit a EK chain (and vice versa).

I just replaced the clip link on my chain with a rivet link because the clip scared me. A busted chain can wad up inside the side cover over the drive sprocket and damage the engine or put you on the ground at speed. Not worth it.

I think you're being overly-dramatic on this one.

I have always had circlip-type joining links on my chains and I have never had a (link) failure.
The times I have had chain failure, it has never been at the the link...

I'm not saying it isn't possible, but it would be an awfully rare occurrence.

I've even had instances of circlips disappearing mid-ride and not noticing until some time (and many hundreds of kms later). The link had steadfastly refused to come apart.

A rivet-ed link may provide you with peace of mind, but a clip-link makes it a whole heap easier to remove a chain, and they're pretty cheap too.

Chef, just buy an entire new clip-link to suit your chain and rest easy.


Cheers
Paul

[chef1366]

I've lost every clip I've put on a master. It got maddening.
I even tried to put it on right and everything.
Tried the RTV bit
...................

[Nessism]

Be aware, different brands of chains have different links - an RK link will NOT fit a EK chain (and vice versa).



I think you're being overly-dramatic on this one.

I have always had circlip-type joining links on my chains and I have never had a (link) failure.
The times I have had chain failure, it has never been at the the link...

I'm not saying it isn't possible, but it would be an awfully rare occurrence.

I've even had instances of circlips disappearing mid-ride and not noticing until some time (and many hundreds of kms later). The link had steadfastly refused to come apart.

A rivet-ed link may provide you with peace of mind, but a clip-link makes it a whole heap easier to remove a chain, and they're pretty cheap too.

Chef, just buy an entire new clip-link to suit your chain and rest easy.


Cheers
Paul

You are very trusting, I may even would say foolishly so, no offense intended.

If the clip falls off the side plate can come loose as well. Why take a chance?

On my particular chain the side plate on the master link was not a press fit like some other brands of chain, thus my heightened concern. I wound up using a different brand of master link which did have a press fit side plate, plus rivet pins for extra piece of mind.

[mike10]

Thank You

I think I'll check and make sure I even have right chain on it. The chain came with all the bits In the boxes of parts when I bought it. Thanks for the Info.

[gggGary]

Guess I must be old but back in the day all chains had clip type master links, never had an issue with them coming off. Maybe the ones today come off because they tend to be on crappy chinese industrial chain that was not intended for high speed motorcycle use?

[Agemax]

you lot are all so quick to slate clip master links without knowing the truth.

1. a master link clip will not fail if fitted correctly and in good condition. ( most failures are incorrectly fitted or bent before fitment)

2. majority of chain failures are due to poor maintenance or bad riding techniques.

3.how many people blame a chain breakage on the clip link without even checking the evidence first? a clip link is just as strong, if not more than a rivet link and a chain failure is usually down to all the above or a chain not designed for the power and torque output of your bike.

4. if clip links were that unreliable, why do chain manufacturers still supply modern superbikes with this option?
because they are reliable, make for quick changes on race bikes, and makes for easy chain removal for proper maintenance.#

if you cant fit one correctly and have faith in it then i suggest you buy a shafty

[chef1366]

you lot are all so quick to slate clip master links without knowing the truth.

1. a master link clip will not fail if fitted correctly and in good condition. ( most failures are incorrectly fitted or bent before fitment)

2. majority of chain failures are due to poor maintenance or bad riding techniques.

3.how many people blame a chain breakage on the clip link without even checking the evidence first? a clip link is just as strong, if not more than a rivet link and a chain failure is usually down to all the above or a chain not designed for the power and torque output of your bike.

4. if clip links were that unreliable, why do chain manufacturers still supply modern superbikes with this option?
because they are reliable, make for quick changes on race bikes, and makes for easy chain removal for proper maintenance.#

if you cant fit one correctly and have faith in it then i suggest you buy a shafty

Gee, it seems like I need to learn how to ride, change chain brands, learn a basic task like putting on a clip, oil my chain more often, be honest with myself, get the shaft and write my congressman.

[Spyderman]

well i can see both sides to this little discussion but i have to say that after 28 years of riding i have never had a non rivet type master link fail on me or a chain for that matter
proper maintenance is a must and proper installation as well. i have always chosen a good brand of chain they cost me more but were worth it
i have used DID Tsubaki and RK and always the O-Ring chains as more than one of my rides had been well past the stock output so it was worth it to get them for the extra life you get out of them
my 79 750 was modded similar to my 1000 with the exception of a 844 kit in it
both the 750 and my current 1000 have been converted to 530
for the most part i have exclusively used RK 530 O-Ring chains for the last 15 years i get around about 10,000 KM from a chain consistently and never a failure to date
so i have to say that yes keeper type master link chains are safe without a doubt, however just because i have never had a failure of a master link or chain that doesn't mean that they don't happen.
use a good quality chain that you are most comfortable with criclip or rivet master link. keep it well maintained and lubed and you should never have a problem with it for the duration of it's life.
i feel that i have to add that many of the 550 owners that have posted on here about a clutch pushrod being bent (and a nice young lady that i know who is close by me) would never had this problem with there bikes if they kept the chain maintained. many people don't realize the importance of proper maintenance of the entire motorcycle, because if they did then many of the problems that we read about would not be posted

just my 2 cents worth

[Nessism]

Do clip style master links fail frequently? NO. Do the clips fall off unexpectedly for some people despite proper installation and proper application? YES. There is a reason you can't race in most jurisdictions without safety wiring the clip.

Do what you want but it's clear to me by reading the archives and searching on the web that sometimes the clips fall off for unexplained reasons, and when that happens there is a VERY high risk of the chain coming apart.

I've taken the chance on lots of different bikes and have never lost the gamble, but have chosen to go rivet from now on since it seems dumb to me to take a chance when I don't have to.

[pmcburney]

Good points raised here...


I while back I talked about this same topic to a guy who had a CR500 as a trail-bike (why a CR500, I don't know - he was a bit of a sucker for punishment ).

He had a couple of different rear sprockets for different terrain, and I think he used to super-motard it from time to time.

Anyway, to facilitate a quick change for the various gearing choices, he used to add (or subtract) a few links of chain to keep the adjustment in the correct range.

This involved (at times) four joining links in the one length of chain.
All of them were clip-links, he didn't spare the bike at all (and it's a 500cc two-stroke single), he rode it through some nasty off-road conditions, AND, he never lost a link or broke a chain.

I was pretty skeptical, but the evidence was there...

Manufacturers wouldn't continue to sell clip-links if they failed with regular monotony - the claims from broken chains and destroyed cases would kill 'em.


Cheers
Paul