Topic: Is their an easy way to remove chains with a master link?

[rob]

Hi everyone,

I just managed to remove a rusty old chain from a CB650, but it was a fair bit of work to get the spring clip off, and I ended up mangling it.  Even then, it took a fair bit of prying to get the plate off.  Is there an easy trick to this that I am not getting?  Or is there a specialized tool to make it really quick and easy?

Thanks,

Rob

[kghost]

Yes, Its called a Rivet tool. It will rivet the new link, Push side plates on/off, Push Old pins out.

[dpen]

Doesn't matter how you mangle the old spring link. It's a very foolish man who doesn't use a new one all the time.

[MetalHead550]

Rivet tool or...Dremel w/ cutting wheel...Like he said, you should get a new master link anyway...

[phylo101]

well, yes.... put the flat end of plain flat-ended screwdriver against the two prongs of the open end of the clip, and just whack with a hammer. It really DOES just spring off.....

As for getting the sideplate off - the best screwdriver for wedging in is on of those silly circuit teser ones, seems to be just the right size. Whack gently

used a new link AND clip with a new chain

Phylo

[Bobby]

Rob, I think the key element to your difficulty was "rusty old chain".  These are big 'ol chains and even a well lubed master link can be a bit if a struggle.  Let's be honest, if it slid off like bacon grease, then what's it gonna do under hard acceleration.  "Twang" comes to mind.  Do yourself a favor and spring for a new master linked chain.

-Bobby

[kghost]

Remember, Clip type master links are only 35% as stronk as an endless chain. Riveted is only 95% as strong as the endless.

As everyone said above, Use a new link.

The head of the clip goes in the direction of rotation, Not the open end.

If your going to pry and hammer on an o-ring chain be carefull with the o-rings.

Good luck.

[cb650]

At least its not the original that was endless.  change those sprockets too.  Spacely sprocets work best.


                        terry

[rob]

Yeah, I am putting on two new sprockets with the chain.  I am worried about what to do if the chain is too long.  Just beat/pry the link with a screw driver and hammer until it comes off?

Rob

[rpyles]

Terry -
    I prefer Cogswell cogs myself.  Richard

[Dennis]

I am worried about what to do if the chain is too long.  Just beat/pry the link with a screw driver and hammer until it comes off?

Rob

If you do that you will probably damage the remaining part of the brand new chain that you are going to use and destroy a good screwdriver.
There are tools available for breaking and joining chain but since you are only interested in shortening the chain it is not really necessary. If you would like to see what they look like go to any of the suppliers websites or mail order catalogs and look under tools.

For your purposes to shorten the chain, first determine the length you want and be sure of that. Count links on the old chain or whatever you have to do to determine the correct length. Then take a Dremel or similar tool and grind the staked end off the two pins of that link. When the staking is completely removed, you should be able to disassemble the link. You can assist the link gently with a pin punch if you need to. This is exactly the way I have removed 30 yo endless chains from my bikes so I know it works.

[Geeto67]

If it is a rusty old chain, you are not reusing it.....at least I would hope you are not resusing it

A pair of bolt cutters gets the job done quick, easy and painless.

A lot of chains I have seen use circlips, which seldom require more than a pair of needle nose pliers to remove.

for dealing with new chains do yourself a favor and go get a chain breaker. They are a relativley cheep tool and if you are goign to work on multiple bikes in your life you are going to need it at least once.   

[rob]

Hi everyone,

thanks for the reply on this.  I went down to the ole' bike shop, but they didn't have any chain breaking tools for sale.  Because they had to go through 2 or 3 sales people until they found someone who knew if they had them, I get the impression that they dont sell them and just encourage customers to come in and pay their mechanics to do it.

So, I got a grinding wheel for my power drill (dont own a dremel) and am planning on just cutting the un-needed links off.

In response to Dennis's post, what part of the chain link is the "staked" part?

Thanks,

Rob

[neckyzips]

ah...
endless chain? is that one of those remove bike from chain procedures??

[rob]

Ha ha, I like that.. remove bike from chain,

this one has a split link, but I am going to need to shorten it by cutting off a few links

Rob

[Dennis]

grind the staked end off the two pins of that link

Rob, that's the expanded end of the pin. The part that looks like a rivet over the side plate.
Grind off the part that looks like a rivet head. Both of them on the same link. Be sure to remove the head completely. Be careful, wear safety glasses or a face shield.
You may have to drive the pins out with a pin punch.

[rob]

awesome, thanks for that.  I think I probably would have just tried to just cut right through the center of the pin.

Rob

[Dennis]

Can't imagine how you could do that without ruining the chain!?

[rob]

Hey everyone,

I put on a new chain today.  In order to make the chain fit, I had to cut off two links.  Using a grinder, I grinded down the rivet heads, then tried to pound the rivet through.  I gave it a good 20 minutes of solid whacking, but not a budge.  After some head scratching, I used the grinder to cut right through the plate and rivet together (the rivet closest to the loose end of the chain), then used the two remaining links as a lever and used a hammer to pound the plate off on the non cut side.  Once that plate was off, the remaining half of the plate came off quite well.

Just thought i'd share...

Thanks,

Rob