Strange split link join

[Graham88]

The last time I put a new chain on, it came with a small clip that slid into small groves in the split link, holding the link in. However this new chain, DID chain I believe, doesn't have the clip nor the grooves. I'm assuming this is a rivet link.

On the pictures attached I've tried to show it as best as possible. I've tightened the link with mole grips, gradually edging it onto the orange looking things. It now appears to be solid, but I wanted to check with the experts before riding on it. Thanks in advance.

Picture 1

Picture 2

[finpos]

So, do you think it's fixed now? (it doesn't look like it is )

finpos.

[gixxersixx]

no it needs to be on further than that you then need to round the edges of the two pins to prevent it coming off, a local bike shop may be able to lend you a proper chain riveting tool at a small cost
definately wouldnt ride it like that
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[Graham88]

[irving]

[irving]

[Nath]

Hiya Graham,
do NOT ride the bike like that!

A rivet link needs to be rivetted - Basically the end of the pins need keeling over/mushrooming so the plate cannot come off. It may be a tight fit on the pins, but I can assure you it is not tight enough and will almost certainly come off if you try to ride the bike like that. Also, it doesn't look like you've pushed the plate on fully. The pins should stick out through it (giving you something to rivet) which they don't appear to be, and also it visibly looks your side plates are further apart than on the pre-rivetted links (dead giveaway that).

You can rivet your chain with a special chain rivetting tool, but there are mixed opinions of how good they are. Alternatively you can use a hammer to rivet it the old fashioned way. To do this you'd need to get the wheel off, and somehow position the chain so there is one hammer (or other hard surface) behind the link, but so you can get at the free end of the link easily enough to get a good swing with a hammer. The pins look to have indents in them so you can use a center punch, but it may be easier just to use a large ball-end hammer directly on the pins.

If that doesn't make much sense to you, then you need to take it to a mechanic (but please do not ride it down with that chain on! If you really must, use the split link off your old chain and go to somewhere close).
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[Graham88]

OK cheers mate, will get my Dad to have a look whilst I'm at work, maybe he can rivet it.

Cheers for your fast replies, otherwise I'd have probably ridden to work, with disastrous consequences

[feef]

you need a chain riveting tool.

I got mine from B&C Express.. does 500-530 link chains.

Cost £90 tho

a
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[Graham88]

£90 I don't have.

The joys of part time.

[T1z3R]

[finpos]

You can do it with a G clamp, some ingenuity and some patience - the tool is basically a clamp with some useful bits thrown in (like a proper spreading head to mushroom the brass pins)

to be on the safe side, use the old split link and take it to a shop

finpos.

[feef]

[T1z3R]

ive used cheaper ones with no problems. no need to spend all that money
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[finpos]

I think the problem tends to be with the bigger chains that use steel pins that you need to mushroom - definitely need the right tool for that job.

finpos.

[mrtEE]

[feef]

[T1z3R]

what sort of pins do cheap chains use then?

i did the tsubaki alpha x-ring chain on my YZF with a cheaper chain tool and its fine.
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[finpos]

Don't think it's a question of cheap - the mid-sized chains can get away with a softer metal (which is usually orangy so I have always assumed to be brass) for the pins in the split link that you need to mushroom. The Bigger chains use steel pins and squishing that is a different prospect altogether.

finpos.

[mrtEE]

does the one i linked to look any good for 520 chains

[finpos]

Unfortunately, you can never tell with tools like that. It looks man enough for the job, but may be made of that special chocolate-like steel they seem to specialise in in the far east. See feef's cheap-tool breaking exploits for full details.

Who can tell

finpos.

[T1z3R]

im still of the opinin a cheaper one would do it.

and if it broke then id take it back to wherever i bought it which is why ebay is a last resort for me buying tools. better over the counter at a shop IMO
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duck my sick!

[finpos]

May have misunderstood you there - for the chain in the picture a cheaper one may well do the job.

Agree with you to buy tools locally (not least because good quality = heavy = delivery cost wipes out savings), but good luck bringing something like that back to a shop. They'll start complaining you mis-used it, and, at best, replace it with another one for you to go home and break.

finpos.

[T1z3R]

[T1z3R]