Topic: Clip Master link OK? For CB750 K1

[cakey]

I am planning on putting a 530 heavy duty x ring chain on the bike. For the sake of ease I was wanting to put on a clip master link instead of the rivet link. Just stock engine and I'm a easy rider. Anyone see a problem using a clip instead of rivet. Most of the chains come with rivet links but the bike had a clip link chain.

Should be cool?

[70CB750]

Properly installed clip link will hold just the same as rivet.

[cakey]

Thanks for the opinion. I really am a newby with chains. I've only had CX500 and GL1000 bikes so they have all been shaft drive.

[dave500]

make sure the open or tail end of the clip goes to the back end of travel,the closed loop end faces the forward motion,dont flex and bend the clip open to fit it,snap it on like this,use a good sharp screw driver,you can use pliers or multi grips levering against its edge and a pin or the next link,this is the way to do it,master it and impress girls!

[cakey]

Wealth of info as always Dave. Hadn't even thought of clip direction. Just to confirm, the closed end of the clip towards the engine case and the open end facing the rear of the bike?

[dave500]

umm,itll change if its on the top or bottom of its run!picture the clip like a jet plane,the wings trail backwards to its direction of travel?

[70CB750]

That's correct - when the link is above the swing arm 

[dave500]

did you sneeze on your master link?silicone on the clip is crap,keep it clean,if you look close the clip is stamped out,it has a sharp and dull side(bit like some #$%*s around here?)fit it so the sharp edge is facing outwards,that way it has less chance of slipping over the grooves in the pins,its more likely to catch and bite on them as opposed to having the smooth curved edge resting or being pressured against them,not dead important but just gives you that "edge"of safety.

[70CB750]

At least you did not ask me if I jerked off by my bike 

I was trying to find a picture to illustrate; apparently this guy uses silicon to secure the link in place.

[70CB750]

Here is how some people secure it with wire:

[dave500]

yeah like that's gonna last as long as a cold beer on a hot day?you can see where the clip has been used before and now turned over?if the #$%*s that fussy why not use a new clip?

[cakey]

Yeah spot on Dave, didn't think of top and bottom of chain changing direction of travel. Found this internet post
" the lower section of chain always moves from front to rear- the closed part of the link should face the rear tire in this lower section of the chain"

Does not seem to match the pic posted though. It looks in the sneeze clip photo that the open end is facing the rear tyre whilst being at the bottom and the direction of travel arrow is facing the other way. (Thanks for going to the effort of posting 70CB750)

I am obviously interpreting something wrong here?

[70CB750]

Good eye, cakey, but those arrows and comments are correct.  Master clips travel like bullets, the round nose always forward.  I guess in that case it will not open on debree or such.

[dave500]

heres trick question cakey,what if the chain is on the right hand side of the bike?

[cakey]

I'm feeling very Territorian at the moment Dave. You know you gotta break it down for us Top Enders.

So I assumed that the pic was a CB750 when in fact it was off a bike with chain on the right side. So if that chain was on the left side then it would be travelling towards the rear tyre if at the bottom. P

Please be right. I can't handle any more trick questions after a week working in Alice Springs. 

[dave500]

the answer is its the same either way,the bottom run of the chain will be going"backwards"

[70CB750]

Too bad we don't have a bigger picture, maybe there is an arrow on the tire(tyre) to confirm Dave's idea.

[dave500]

its not my idea its physics!anyway back to your question first posted itll be ok for easy riders?(its peter fonda?),same for more spirted riders,the clip wont come off if its not damaged from poor installation.

[cakey]

You have answered it Dave as well as highlighting the correct installation. Thanks guys

[MCRider]

OT: There was a recent thread where an X ring chain was rubbing the cases of a CB750 around the final drive sprocket. We compared and the XRing chain was wider than my ORing chain, which clears my cases easily.

PS: I use a clip link with a single wrap (not 3 wraps) of safety wire. Properly installed, safety wire is generally accepted safety procedure. Often required at road race tracks.

[Don R]

I'm surprised the safety wire clears the sprockets. I'd have guessed it would snag or at least wear away and fall off. I've seen something new to me again.

[MCRider]

I'm surprised the safety wire clears the sprockets. I'd have guessed it would snag or at least wear away and fall off. I've seen something new to me again.

sINCE ITS ON AN OUTSIDE LINK, it is protected from the sprocket by the depth of the inside link plate, and ORing if its an ORing chain. But, that's why I say 1 wrap rather than the 3 wraps in the example. Its is completely clear of any interference with the chain or sprocket. IT's just along for the ride and to keep the clip on.

[calj737]

Two words to solve all this: Rivet Link.

[cakey]

OT: There was a recent thread where an X ring chain was rubbing the cases of a CB750 around the final drive sprocket. We compared and the XRing chain was wider than my ORing chain, which clears my cases easily.

PS: I use a clip link with a single wrap (not 3 wraps) of safety wire. Properly installed, safety wire is generally accepted safety procedure. Often required at road race tracks.

I was worried about the width when I first started looking for chains because I had read previously that some chains had rubbed on cases. I don't know about other brands but in the EK range the o and x ring chains are the same width at 9.53 mm each.

Two words to solve all this: Rivet Link.

Yeah I know it would but it's not something I want to pursue.

[calj737]

Just a joke, Cakey. Follow Dave's advice (as you've planned to) and you be right as rain.