Ordered my RK chain and extra link, do I need a $130 tool?

[Guest]

Just ordered my new front and rear sprockets 15/42 from www.sprocketspecialists.com and an RK 96 link 630 chain. I told them I didn't want one of those clasp/latch type links for fear that it'll get thrown off. I know many of you have used them without incident for many years but I just wanted a rivited link for piece of mind. She sold me an extra rivited link and said I would need a tool to get it on and get the other link off I guess. Does this sound right? The tool was $130 dollars.......is there any way to get my chain on without that tool? I don't want to mash it up either. Any suggestions?

[Paul]

The easiest way is to get someone else to help you.
Put the chain on the sprockets, put the rivet link into the chain to connect the two ends, don't forget to put the "O"-rings in place, put the plate (other part of the link) in place.
Get two hammers, one being a heavy hammer (4lbs is best) and a rivet type punch.
Then get your Friend(?) to hold the heavy hammer against the back of the rivet link, & you hammer the punch on (in?) to the other side of the link so that it spreads and holds the plate in place.
Sorry if I'm being a bit basic here but I've just come in from the pub!
If your not sure get a mechanic to explain (show) it to you.

[80gs1000e]

The easiest way is to get someone else to help you.
Put the chain on the sprockets, put the rivet link into the chain to connect the two ends, don't forget to put the "O"-rings in place, put the plate (other part of the link) in place.
Get two hammers, one being a heavy hammer (4lbs is best) and a rivet type punch.
Then get your Friend(?) to hold the heavy hammer against the back of the rivet link, & you hammer the punch on (in?) to the other side of the link so that it spreads and holds the plate in place.
Sorry if I'm being a bit basic here but I've just come in from the pub!
If your not sure get a mechanic to explain (show) it to you.

Thanks for the info. So basically I will "pop" it into place correct? Sounds easy. Thanks for the info, I'll make sure to do it before I go to the pub! I will need a steady hand. I will also need to get a rivit type punch.

Any of you other GSers do this with success?

[KGB]

You can buy a "manual" type rivet remover for about $30USD.
This will also mushroom the head on the new rivet.

I just changed my chain over to a 520 from a 630 and used one of these to break the old rivet and install the new one.

If you get a decent one, you can also use a wrench or socket to turn it.
This just gives you more leverage.
Any decent bike shop will sell you one, no need to spend more for the tool than you did on the chain.

[jimcor]

Get the riveter/breaker from www.jcwhitney.com for 70 bucks.

[80gs1000e]

Get the riveter/breaker from www.jcwhitney.com for 70 bucks.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=3054&catalogId=10111&langId=-1&storeId=10101

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