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Master links suck

1520 Views 17 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  snik
Just put everything all back together and now i am to the point where the master link needs to go on. I do not have a clamp or chain breaker tool to press it over the rivets, any ideas on the easiest way to get it on there with minimal tools etc..... ideas :hail:
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What i did was go to autozone and borrowed (rented) a pitman arm puller like this! http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-3120-lisle-41900.aspx You will also need a thick piece if steel to put on the back side of the masterlink. Line up the point on the center screw over each rivet one at a time and tighten it down till the head is compressed to hondas specs. I went back and forth tightening in small incriments to keep the pressure equal.
lol i am getting some where with a par of flyers and two pipes on the ends of the plyer handles!
Sounds sketchy. Too bad you can't rent a chain breaker or rivet tool.
lol i am getting some where with a par of flyers and two pipes on the ends of the plyer handles!
Have you considered heavy duty zip ties?

Seriously, the proper tools are not that expensive and they'll last a lifetime.
Have you ever seen some of the horror photos of chains coming off and what can happen? Don't fuck around, do it right. Your playing with a 1k and you life or limbs.
Have you ever seen some of the horror photos of chains coming off and what can happen? Don't fuck around, do it right. Your playing with a 1k and you life or limbs.

its not my first time doing this, i just wanted to be done last night but i gave up, i think i am going to go by a clamp after work.
That P.O.S. cost like 150 bux to only use it one time.
Good luck with that lol...
That P.O.S. cost like 150 bux to only use it one time.
Good luck with that lol...
$150! lol

There's chain tool kits out there for MUCH less than that.
Have you ever seen some of the horror photos of chains coming off and what can happen? Don't fuck around, do it right. Your playing with a 1k and you life or limbs.
It's a really simply concept though - splay the tip out enough to keep the link in place. It's either going to hold or it won't. A quick visual inspection will tell you if it's splayed enough to keep it from coming out. In this case doing it right is anything that gets the job done. I usually use a pair of vice grips, a piece of steel for a backplate, and a cut down piece of a pointed metal stick to do mine. It's harder but the end result is the same and you'd be able to see really quickly if any damage had been done anywhere.

But at the same time halfassing it with random objects from around the garage like I do takes a hell of a lot longer and will piss you off way more than if you have the right tool.
Have you ever seen some of the horror photos of chains coming off and what can happen? Don't fuck around, do it right. Your playing with a 1k and you life or limbs.
Ditto. It's way too important to perform this without the right tool. I had the tool and have done it myself but this is one out of only 3 things I'll pay a stealer service mechanic to do because it's a PITA no matter what. I've seen chains come off at the track, the damage it causes the bike, and some instances the rider.
Or the guy right on your ass when the chain gets shot out at high velocity!
i got a 520 DID chain that had the clip on style.
i pressed the link on then clipped it.
went to road atlanta, for a weekend, forgot to check it from time to time.
did both days, came home, unloaded the bike, clip was gone, link was still on there.
Thank god i pressed it.
bought a DID and RK master link, press type, both were too big.
so i safety wired the bastard.
its been on there firmly for about 3 weeks now.
Harbot Freight sells a cheap complete kit. You will use it again. And your friends will borrow it and give you beer.
i got the complete motion pro kit on sale for $70 a few months back at my local cycle gear.
we've done a lot of peoples chains since. :)
i got a 520 DID chain that had the clip on style.
i pressed the link on then clipped it.
went to road atlanta, for a weekend, forgot to check it from time to time.
did both days, came home, unloaded the bike, clip was gone, link was still on there.
Thank god i pressed it.
bought a DID and RK master link, press type, both were too big.
so i safety wired the bastard.
its been on there firmly for about 3 weeks now.
Clip on master link chains suck. I've had that happen to me before too.
Clip on master link chains suck. I've had that happen to me before too.
yeah. i didnt check when i was buying it.
I safety wired around each groove/lip like a figure 8, and it is holding up great
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