Topic: New Chain Masterlink Clip Issue

[acb]

Recently replaced my front and rear sprocket on my CB750 – went to install my new Diamond Chain (XMC-1548-M-530-102) which has a press fit cover plate for the master link (used a press fit tool to install) but I can't, for the life of me, get the master link clip installed.

The groves in the pins are exposed but the clip does not want to go on without some serious force. If I press the cover plate on a bit more the clip may go on easier but the problem is if I press the cover plate on any more it will bind the chain – I've already had to back it off a bit because of binding.

Took a look at my old chain as well and seems like the old master link has way more clearance for the cover plate to slip over the pins before it comes anywhere close to where the chain would bind.

I did some search on the forum and seems like others have had trouble with this but I haven't been able to find a solution.  Was hoping this would be a fairly quick install but it's taken me hours to try and figure this out.  Any help is much appreciated!!

[Powderman]

What do you mean it is binding? If you tighten the plate enough to get the clip on, once it is together and you work it it may free up the bind.

[flybox1]

can you not get the clip started in its grooves?

Once the chain is tensioned, and used a bit, the link might loosen a little.

[evanphi]

I have the same chain, recently installed. No issues. Are you using a Diamond master link?

[acb]

What do you mean it is binding? If you tighten the plate enough to get the clip on, once it is together and you work it it may free up the bind.

When I tighten the plate on enough so that the clip will slide on easily, the chain no longer has free movement at the master link attachment.  Any suggestions for how to "work it" after it is tightened?

can you not get the clip started in its grooves?

Once the chain is tensioned, and used a bit, the link might loosen a little.

I can get it started in the groove, and I can very forcefully push it on about 90% of the way but I can't get it to fully seat, especially at the pin that holds the open end of the clip – basically I can only get to "clip" to one side.  I wondered if it might loosen after use but if I tighten it down more to get the clip on I'm worried about testing that theory with a chain the might be binding.

I have the same chain, recently installed. No issues. Are you using a Diamond master link?

I believe so – it is the master link that came in the box with the chain. I'm wondering if it's just something weird with this particular master link, feels like this should be way easier.

[Powderman]

Once you get the clip on and the chain on the sprockets spin it through a few time or more and it will loosen up. It's not lubed enough right now to help it from binding either, I bet.

[evanphi]

Did you clean the packing grease off with kerosene, first?

[flybox1]

cant get it to snap on all the way, makes me think it might be the wrong clip.
can you get it to snap on all the way if its NOT on the bike? or at least move your wheel all the way forward to take the tension out of the chain....

[acb]

Did you clean the packing grease off with kerosene, first?

I actually didn't know I needed to do this – didn't realize it was "packing grease", for some reason I assumed it came pre-lubed. Will do though.  Also, how would the grease affect this?

cant get it to snap on all the way, makes me think it might be the wrong clip.
can you get it to snap on all the way if its NOT on the bike? or at least move your wheel all the way forward to take the tension out of the chain....

I actually was able to snap it on all the way initially, but the plate had to be pressed to the point of binding the chain – I figured that wasn't a good thing, so I pulled the clip off and was able to back the plate off a bit (using the press tool) and now I can still see the grooves on the pins but the clip won't go on.

Maybe I'm thinking about this all wrong though... if the cover plate is pressed on enough to allow the clip to easily slide on, does it matter that the master link is essentially binding (or at least heavily restricting free movement on) the chain?  Is it better to work it lose after the clip is on somehow? Will it loosen after some use?

Again, just wondering if I'm overthinking this somehow.

[754]

Get the side plate on so you can see the grooves, install clip.
 Then put a piece of wood or aluminum over the two pins, give it a light rap.... Should be fine.
 Yes you are overthinking it.

[acb]

Get the side plate on so you can see the grooves, install clip.
 Then put a piece of wood or aluminum over the two pins, give it a light rap.... Should be fine.
 Yes you are overthinking it.

Well said.  Was totally overthinking it – I pressed the plate on a bit more, clip slipped on easily, then I banged the master link pins with a wood block to unbind it.  Done.  Thanks so much for the help!!