Good replacement chain option

[kennyw]

I picked up this chain from my local dealer since this was what they had in stock. Turns out it comes with everything you need to install it with no special tools required. Just a single 10mm wrench. The extra long studs are made to shear off when the chain is fully crimped. No press to deal with tightening/loosening/measuring/ect. Of course this one is too long and had to be cut down to 110 links. But it was in stock.

[flynrider]

I picked up this chain from my local dealer since this was what they had in stock. Turns out it comes with everything you need to install it with no special tools required. Just a single 10mm wrench. The extra long studs are made to shear off when the chain is fully crimped. No press to deal with tightening/loosening/measuring/ect. Of course this one is too long and had to be cut down to 110 links. But it was in stock.

That's very interesting. I truly hate staking master links. How does it work? Does it come with some special tool?

I haven't used an EK chain in recent memory, but they have been major players in the chain world for as long as I can remember.

You can be the guinea pig on this one. If it works out well, I'd be willing to try it out if it meant a hassle free installation.

Edit : BTW, your dealer seems to have been quite proud of that chain

[Rocky_imp]

I had never heard of this before so I went to the EK Chain web site and downloaded the catalog which shows the unique method of assembly with the wrench and pliers as kennyw described.
It must work because EK is too big a player in the market for it not to.
Kennyw can tell us later how it went.

[andreas63_imp]

Interessting Alternative

[kennyw]

It didn't fall apart on my ride home last night. I have a 4000 mile trip to take over the next two weeks and will be giving it a quick test.

Here are the instructions.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzRg_M5...p=drivesdk

[the Ferret]

step 12 is kind of confusing... 10 mm wrench until they won't turn anymore using 60 degree turns then below that it says underlined " Work with fingers as well" huh?

[kmoney_imp]

I don't get that either. Maybe they mean jiggle the chain or move the connection to make sure it's not caught on a lip or cocked sideways in any way? That's all I can think of anyway.

Regardless, that's a cool idea. It's way more foolproof than the tool and measuring the size of the rivet head etc...

[flynrider]

That looks pretty cool, Kenny. On the last step it says, "Hold the nut with the wrench and snap off the pins". From the pic it looks like they mean pliers. Do you just twist the nuts off with the pliers to break off the pins?

Overall, it looks like an ingenious solution to the problems of chain installation. Having screwed up master links in the past, my current method requires me to remove, measure and reinstall the staking tool at least half a dozen times, to make sure I don't apply too much pressure and seize the link. That takes a long time.

Looking forward to hearing how this chain works out for you!

[kennyw]

I used the box end of the wrench and pried perpendicular to the chain and it snapped off.

[Randy B]

step 12 is kind of confusing... 10 mm wrench until they won't turn anymore using 60 degree turns then below that it says underlined " Work with fingers as well" huh?

It seems straight forward to me. Since they are 6 sided nuts it's pretty easy to do 60° at a turn....360/60=6.
Work with your fingers until you have to tighten the nuts with a wrench. At least that's what I took from it.