Just broke a chain... me, the tool or the rivet?

[solemnwarning]

Hi

I just tried fitting a new DID VX 520 chain with a hollow rivet master link, using one of these tools.

There weren't any instructions included, but it seemed simple enough that I just guessed at it: I used the plate with two holes in it to press the side plate on to the proper thickness, then put the convex anvil in one side of the tool to brace the rivet and started winding the ball-bearing-faced tool into the hollow end of the rivet.

The rivets initially measured 5.18mm diameter, the ones pressed at the factory were 5.5mm, by 5.3mm the hollow rivet had seemingly gone a bit sideways - the mushroomed section shearing away from the tube around most of its diameter. I was able to remove this rivet by putting one of the extractor pins down the middle; it sheared off what was left easily. The end of the rivet that came out had clearly broken off sideways, only around part of its diameter.

I had another go with the other side of the link once it was out, the tool was able to expand it to 5.5mm with no drama (no side plate etc fitted).

Did I screw this up, is the tool iffy or did I get a defective rivet?

Got no way to get to work now, very tempted to try and get a split link when I call around in the morning.

Thanks

EDIT: One more thing... do I specifically need another DID VX 520 master link, or should any O/X ring 520 pitch link be fine?

[Commuter_Tim]

Hard to say if it was you, the tool, or both.
However I bought a cheap shit one similar to yours, and the tool bent on the first try, fucking up the rivet in the process.

Then I bought this...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Professional-Chain-Breaker-Riveter-Kit/dp/B00GG02YQQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1488748930&sr=8-3&keywords=gator+rivet

My rivets measure like the rest of the links now, £50 isn't bad either.
____________________
The above post is most likely nonsensical.

I ride a Bandit 600... badly.

[jaffa90]

What`s wrong with split links nowadays, i was using them in the 70`s doing over 100mph no problems.
They do sell them.

[Commuter_Tim]

[sickpup]

[jaffa90]

""""Bike have more than doubled in power since the 70's with massive increases in driveline stresses.""""
I don`t think so,
My first tonner was a Norton Commando 750 roadster, a few of us had these crap bikes which dropped to bits with VIBRATION and you talk about stress.
Doubled in power?????????????
6: 1960s
NOW we’re getting somewhere. While the 1960s dawned as an era of single-cylinder bikes still designed around pre-war ideas, they ended with the first batch of bikes that could be seen as real predecessors of today’s bikes. The Honda CB750 of 1969 is widely acclaimed as the first ‘modern’ super bike – four cylinders, disc brakes and with a 125mph top speed, it was arguably the fastest machine you could buy. Some suggest that the BSA Rocket 3 (and its Triumph Trident sibling) were equally quick, but we know which we’d feel more comfortable trying to max out today, and it’s the Japanese machine.

[temeluchus]

A decent sporty 750 from the 90's has double the power of a commando 750, a current sporty 750 gets on to triple. Make of that what you will.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[P.]

[temeluchus]

[bamt]

[Matt B]

[jaffa90]

""""Jaffa thinks all bikes should idle at 1k rpm otherwise they are set up incorrectly.""""
Very true, e.c. emissions made the mixture so weak / lean that they had to up the idle speed to try and compensate.
Also never had a car idle more than 1,000rpm,
Wifes car is 800rpm.

[P.]

Car, you fucking autistic tramp My car idles at 800 too, lovely little diesel. Since when was my Triple a car. Just to add some fuel for your ever burning retard flame, I hired a bike last week, Varadero 125, for science, I dropped idle to 1k, it sat there knocking and flickering the lights until I fed it some sympathy and put it back to 1300.

[sickpup]

[techathy]