Topic: Would you trust a master link camchain

[eigenvector]

I notice that there are a few being offered as replacements to the original cam chain.  My question, is would you trust one?

Frankly I'm not sure I'd trust one on the drive chain, but I have a chain breaking and chain staking kit, so I've never had a need for a master link chain.  The cam chain is a different beast altogether - its far too small to lend itself to traditional motorcycle tools and coupled with the need to completely tear the engine apart, there is an obvious draw to something like a master link.

[MCRider]

I notice that there are a few being offered as replacements to the original cam chain.  My question, is would you trust one?

Frankly I'm not sure I'd trust one on the drive chain, but I have a chain breaking and chain staking kit, so I've never had a need for a master link chain.  The cam chain is a different beast altogether - its far too small to lend itself to traditional motorcycle tools and coupled with the need to completely tear the engine apart, there is an obvious draw to something like a master link.

What bike? Honnda used to use a clip link on the 305 SuperHawk, but I think it is NLA. Nevertheless, I never heard of one failing, and there were some pretty highstrung 305s in the day.

That link is the same dimension as the CB750 et al chain. We used it on bike overhauls where the owner was too cheap to split the cases. No long term personal history, but no news of failure either.

Cam chains do have staked links and there are tools small enough to stake it properly.

Too cheap to buy the tool, we used to stake them by backstopping the link with a chisel jammed in the cases behind the master link and, with a very sharp and teeny chisel, punching an X in the end of the link pins to fold it over. That was a common method.

[eigenvector]

Sorry I forget this forum covers more than just one style of bike.  My personal interest is the CB550, but really I'd be interested in hearing about them all - just to be philosophical about it.

I've never had to use a master ink chain, and my preference would be to stick with a staked link. if at all possible.  I'm not replacing the cam chain at any rate, really just poking around here and there reading some material on engine maintenance and the subject came up.

[MCRider]

Sorry I forget this forum covers more than just one style of bike.  My personal interest is the CB550, but really I'd be interested in hearing about them all - just to be philosophical about it.

I've never had to use a master ink chain, and my preference would be to stick with a staked link. if at all possible.  I'm not replacing the cam chain at any rate, really just poking around here and there reading some material on engine maintenance and the subject came up.

Based on the 305 experience, I have no problems with clip links. But...

If you want to stake a link with the chisel method, if you've never done it before, I'd have to say don't try. You need practice. Which leaves buying a small chain staker from MotionPro I think has them.

And finally and righteously, use an endless chain.

http://www.amazon.com/Emgo-84-56410-Chain-Riveting-Tool/dp/B008BDBD40

[fmctm1sw]

There's a couple threads on the topic.  I have one on the 550 I put together, I'm at 650 miles now...

[eigenvector]

Naw, it's easier just to ask the same question over and over again.

I did read a couple just now, at your suggestion.

[fmctm1sw]

Naw, it's easier just to ask the same question over and over again.

That doesn't bother me like is bothers some other folks on the board    Mine isn't even peened or anything, it's just pressed on.

[KRONUS0100]

bought a tsubaki cam chain and master link for my 74 750 motor rebuild few years ago.  no problems out of it

[MCRider]

bought a tsubaki cam chain and master link for my 74 750 motor rebuild few years ago.  no problems out of it

Was it a clip link or a staked link?

[Oldtech]

I've used both. Clip links on CB77's , CB350's and CB450's for the street and staked links on vintage race bikes. Never had any trouble with the clip links and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

[Trad]

I bought a NOS 550 cam chain and also a couple of the CB500T "soft links". Honda used these from the factory on the 500T. I will be using it if I don't end up splitting the cases on my current build. I wouldn't hesitate either. If you have the proper tools to stake the pin then you will be golden.

[MoMo]

450 dohc had a staked link as standard-no problems during my wrenching time back in the 70s thru 80s.  I had access to the Honda shop tool for removing and installing the link.  Piece of cake...Larry

[KRONUS0100]

clipped link

[MCRider]

Thx Kronus.

ITs good to hear 1st hand accounts of success. I've done 305s with clipped links but never anything else. Though I always wondered why not?

[my79650]

Stake it or peen it over, i replaced mine in my cb650 and it was a endless chain. I removed a pin from it, fed it through,pressed it back together and used a ball peen hammer and another as an anvil to mash it together. Over 8000 kms since and no problems.
If your replacing crank bearings then split the case and use the endless chain, but why make more work for yourself?

[trueblue]

Stake it or peen it over, i replaced mine in my cb650 and it was a endless chain. I removed a pin from it, fed it through,pressed it back together and used a ball peen hammer and another as an anvil to mash it together. Over 8000 kms since and no problems.
If your replacing crank bearings then split the case and use the endless chain, but why make more work for yourself?

The 650 uses a hyvo cam chain where as the 550's use a roller type.  They require different procedures to split and rejoin properly.  The hyvo chain with the correct tool you can simply push the pin out till it is in the last plate of the link, make it as long as you want, then push the pin back in.  They press apart and back together without an issue.  The roller chains are a little different, most of the time you can't split them and rejoin them without a joiner link.  There are exceptions to this rule, it comes down to the design of the links in the end. 

Back to the OP's question, I see no problem using a clip link on a cam chain, providing it is done correctly.  I have done it numerous times on a number of different engines and never had an issue.  The best style joiner I have used (was on a car not a bike) was a wire on design of clip.  The plate pressed on, then there was a clip which wired on to make certain it was going nowhere. 

[my79650]

My chain is hyvo type; its posted on the forum here. I have seen photos of the wire being used on the drive chain but not on the cam chain. as long as it works ok is all that matters.