Author Topic: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link  (Read 2935 times)

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Offline Dimitri13

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Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« on: November 06, 2013, 06:06:38 PM »
After having troubles riveting my master link, I decided to do some research, and found that the master link I had was a press-fit, not meant to be riveted. You can tell because the posts of the link are solid and the same color.

I ordered 5 master links from Z1, and one I miraculously got a rivet style master link. You can tell because the ends of the posts have dimples and are a different color.

Refer to the images.






Offline albertaboy

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Re: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2013, 01:25:21 PM »
Hi
I am not clear. Which one is the best one to get, or easiest to use??  Thanks. Ive got to do this soon.
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2013, 07:47:24 PM »
They are really good, you have to press them on tightly and then insert the clip. The rounded end of the clip needs to be facing the direction of travel
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Offline Dimitri13

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Re: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« Reply #3 on: November 15, 2013, 01:03:28 AM »
I'm not sure which one is better, albertaboy.

Bobby, the press fit link is not a clip style master link like a drive chain. From what I read, since there is very little lateral movement of the chain, being a press fit link is good enough. The fit is extremely tight and can't even be started by hand.

Offline 74750k4

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Re: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« Reply #4 on: November 15, 2013, 03:35:44 PM »
Best to use the proper chain link tool to put those together. For accuracy, measure your existing chain links (caliper), that way you know how much to squish the plate on. Otherwise you're guessing. Too little, and it will be too loose. Too much, it's going to bind at that link. Once you dial that in, using your tool, proceed to mushroom the pin SLIGHTLY, without squishing the plates closer.


These go on sale for $39.00, right now they are $89

http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Accessories/Tools/Multi-Tools/brand/STOCKTON-TOOL-COMPANY/Chain-Breaker-and-Rivet-Tool-Kit/p/36518_00000

Offline BobbyR

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Re: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2013, 05:50:56 PM »
I'm not sure which one is better, albertaboy.

Bobby, the press fit link is not a clip style master link like a drive chain. From what I read, since there is very little lateral movement of the chain, being a press fit link is good enough. The fit is extremely tight and can't even be started by hand.
OK. I have used the Tsubaki drive chain links. Quality products! I did not see cam chain. You have received some great advice. 
Dedicated to Sgt. Howard Bruckner 1950 - 1969. KIA LONG KHANH.

But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?

Offline fmctm1sw

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Re: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2013, 07:42:05 AM »
You may have seen some of my posts on this subject.  I either posted them here or the Hondatwins site.  I think there is a guy on Hondatwins that contacted the manufacturer about it too.  My 550 master link is pressed on with no apparent issues.  I'm at around 150 miles on it at this point.
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Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

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Offline bwaller

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Re: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2013, 01:31:49 PM »
I use the rivot type but you need to take your time and not overdo it. Sorry but I wouldn't trust the press on.

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Re: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2013, 05:10:55 AM »
Either will work fine. The press fit one i think is the easiest and you can do it with vice grips. Take your time with it and progressively adjust the vice grips working each end at a time to get it squeezed on. Once on, it will NOT come off, so you can sleep easy! To get it off, you will need to grind off the pins (as i have had to in the past).
  When squeezing on, continually check the plate-to-plate width against a neighbor link. Keep squeezing until they have the same widths as the surrounding links.

  I've done both link types with the tsubaki chain. They both work great, but i like the press fit one better. Just a personal choice on this one.

The stake link was a bit more finiky. I used a press pin to get it on, but the pin that I was using wasn't quite the right size, so the job wasn't as neat as i would have liked. I ended up peening the edge of the stake with multi-grips again. I tore the motor down some time later to fix a leaking puck and while i had the rocker cover off, i rechecked the stake and it was as the day i staked it, so all good.

cheers
alex

Offline 74750k4

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Re: Regarding Tsubaki Cam Chain master link
« Reply #9 on: December 02, 2013, 07:37:18 PM »
Best to use the proper chain link tool to put those together. For accuracy, measure your existing chain links (caliper), that way you know how much to squish the plate on. Otherwise you're guessing. Too little, and it will be too loose. Too much, it's going to bind at that link. Once you dial that in, using your tool, proceed to mushroom the pin SLIGHTLY, without squishing the plates closer.


These go on sale for $39.00, right now they are $89

http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Accessories/Tools/Multi-Tools/brand/STOCKTON-TOOL-COMPANY/Chain-Breaker-and-Rivet-Tool-Kit/p/36518_00000


WRONG AGAIN!!!  $19.00 now!  Just might need another!
http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Accessories/Tools/Multi-Tools/brand/STOCKTON-TOOL-COMPANY/Chain-Breaker-and-Rivet-Tool-Kit/p/36518_00000