Joining links on chains.

[ekoja]

I put a new 530 chain on my bike approx 18months ago. Despite advice from members of this forum, I used the joining link with the spring clip.
Today I went to Brissy for a work BBQ and while I was there I was looking at the chain (takes very little to amuse me) to notice that the spring clip was missing.
The link seemed to be in place so I raced around trying to find a link and eventually found one and changed it for a peened over job.
The interesting thing was that it was really hard to get the old joining link off.
How lucky was it that I saw it.
I am off to get a couple of lotto's

[DAYS]

This might sound silly but did you put it on the right way I ask this because a good friend of mine did his own chain. He used the joining link and put the clip on with the open end faceing the way the chain go's not the closed end faceing the way the chain go's. iff you put it on backwards it WILL come off maybee not straight away but it will work its way off

[ekoja]

It was on the right way
that is, closed end facing the chains direction of travel.

[phuk72]

lucky boy indeed

[G Beale]

Never understood what all the fuss was about regards these fish clip thingys. I mean, they come supplied with your chain as an option so must be ok yeah ? No, they are shite. Fitted mine on the TRX (right way round) & forgot about it. That is until about a month later when the chain stuffed itself up tight in the front sprocket area as I turned off a main road & "attempted" to accelerate. Why do they come with your new chain when you hear so many tales like mine or worse ???

[HansJ]

I hear the same story from many, but I have never had a failure so far. No intention of offending, but looking at the construction, it's hard to understand it would go away if it's properly installed (and unless the clip itself breaks)? The tension on the link-plates is the same, as with the riveted link, and the side-forces pushing the side-plate outwards ought not to be so high, or?

I agree that it's easier to do it wrong compared to the riveted ones, and maybe that's what behind the rumour. But it's possible to do the riveted wrong as well without the proper tools, although this will only mean a too tight link and not a separated.

Like I said, I don't mean to offend anyone, but it would be interesting to hear whether you think it could have been avoided somehow?

(And for what it's worth, I have a riveted chain, and a chain-riveter )

[pbear62]

I too have been advised not to use the spring clip type link as apparently the peened over type link is much stronger. I have wondered why this would be though - as previously mentioned here, it's not like there is any side force happening is there? I use the spring clip type on my TRX & also my GSX550 & both seem to be ok (he says while touching wood ) One thing I noticed while fitting the chains though - the side link is really tight to get on - needed to use vise grips & an extra link as a spacer to press it on properly. I think that even if the spring link did somehow get flicked off, this sideplate would not come off!!
I think that the heavier chains fitted to roadbikes are made tighter like this intentionally - all the joining links/sideplates on my dirtbike chains can easily be assembled & disassembled by hand with only a pair of pliers needed for the spring clip.

[Silver]

I fitted a link with clip, in ignorance on my old SZR which only has about 48hp. This managed to get undone and broke the remains of the joining link clean in 2. Fortunately it deposited the chain in the road as i was shifting a bit at the time.
Personally i wouldnt risk a clip link on the TRX.
We used to use them all the time on Enduro bikes years back.

[M.V.]

Pressure seating the sideplate correctly avoids this, I have never had any problems with them. If the spring clip comes off the pressure will keep the sideplate seated, I carry some lockwire just in case though!

You could always drill a very small hole in the sideplate & lockwire the spring clip on there for peace of mind. I did that on the old ZZ-R250 & it was completely pointless!

[ekoja]

I wound wire around the pins and it stayed in place on the ride home, (90 ks) although I did check it a couple of times.
that side plate did not come off easily, and I wondered just how long that clip had been missing.
Watching the new link being put on a lot of force was needed to get that outer plate sitting right.
The problem with the pins and side plates seems to be that over time the pins wear and thats when those side plates come away.

Next purchase, a chain breaker and riveter.

[Kevtrx849]

Next purchase, a chain breaker and riveter.

I've got all that kit Ash, anytime you need to borrow it just yell. No problem.

[ekoja]

Next purchase, a chain breaker and riveter.

I've got all that kit Ash, anytime you need to borrow it just yell. No problem.

Cool, Thanks Kev,