Split link

[Nick_imp]

Just a thought,as honda supply a split link for the drive chain in the parts book. Would you be happy to fit one to your chain or would you rivet only. I normally get my chains endless and use this time to remove the swing arm for greasing. But can't see a lot wrong fitting a split link. What's your thoughts.
nick.

[the Ferret]

Once you get above 75 hp I think rivet links are safer, but as a non-aggressive rider I'd have no issue running a master clip link on mine. I run one on my NC 750 even though it came with an endless originally from Honda..

[pdedse]

I use a chain tool by Motion Pro to break a chain and rivet.





There are cheaper ones, but this one works well enough.

[rdprdp01]

I use a chain tool by Motion Pro to break a chain and rivet.





There are cheaper ones, but this one works well enough.

Thank you for posting this video and sharing what you use. I need to buy a kit and was wondering how well Motion Pro compared with other manufacturers.

[max]

lol. i've run 130 HP+ bikes with split links. its not 1975 anymore. if you are worried about it, safety wire the link clip.

Wired clip on my 1977 cb550;

[PowerDubs_imp]

lol. i've run 130 HP+ bikes with split links. its not 1975 anymore. if you are worried about it, safety wire the link clip.

Heck...as someone that spent decades dumping clutches and having no mechanical sympathy in my younger years... I've never had (or seen) anyone have a chain come apart at the master link.

I'd have to see it to even believe it was a real thing and not just passed down non-sense from 'I knew a guy' talk....

[the Ferret]

Used to happen quite frequently in the late 70's. The chain would snap at the master link, the chain would run up and punch a hole in the cases in front of the counter sprocket. Stopped happening once they went to endless chains. Can't believe that you guys that mess with old bikes haven't come across welded up cases from thrown chains.

[peterbaron]

Back in the '70s and '80s when we were racing two-stroke dragons, we never had a riveted chain, always a C-clip for quick disconnect.
Some guys secured the clip with wire, like m in sc.
The most important thing is that it is oriented correctly = closed end in the direction of rotation.
For both of my CBs, I always use rivet type.

[The Gecko_imp]

yeah, it's an old wives tale. maybe 50 years ago when the chain strength was nowhere near what it is today..

Seem like you assume things and thangs are getting stronger over the last 50 years, my impression is the opposite. But max's solution has always worked for me

Back in the '70s and '80s when we were racing two-stroke dragons, we never had a riveted chain, always a C-clip for quick disconnect.
Some guys secured the clip with wire, like m in sc.
The most important thing is that it is oriented correctly = closed end in the direction of rotation.
For both of my CBs, I always use rivet type.

BUT max's picture appears showing a link installed in the opposite direction, doesn't it ?

[Cormanus]

yeah, it's an old wives tale. maybe 50 years ago when the chain strength was nowhere near what it is today..

Seem like you assume things and thangs are getting stronger over the last 50 years, my impression is the opposite. But max's solution has always worked for me

Back in the '70s and '80s when we were racing two-stroke dragons, we never had a riveted chain, always a C-clip for quick disconnect.
Some guys secured the clip with wire, like m in sc.
The most important thing is that it is oriented correctly = closed end in the direction of rotation.
For both of my CBs, I always use rivet type.

BUT max's picture appears showing a link installed in the opposite direction, doesn't it ?

BUT max's picture appears showing a link installed in the opposite direction, doesn't it ?
I thought that too, but it then occurred to me that it’s hard to see from the photo which side of the bike the chain is on.


Now, going back a step, The Ferret says chains in the 1970s used to snap at the master link and punch holes in things. Is that the same as a master link failure — in other words a c-clip coming off and the chain coming apart? One points to possible poor installation; ther other to material failure.