Topic: Joining cam chain link

[jakec]

I got this DID cam chain for my 400 which I thought was going to be endless, but it’s not. I researched here and then went to a bicycle shop and a motorcycle shop and both said they didn’t have a tool small enough.

I tried using vice grips to mushroom the end of the posts down but it’s very crude and I don’t like how it looks, I wouldn’t be happy to put this in my engine. I don’t know what to do with it now. I don’t have any hammers (besides rubber mallet) and I don’t have any punches. I don’t even have a table hard enough (bicycle shop tried with hammer and lunch and the chain started sinking into their wood table).

[bryanj]

Any Honda shop with 450/500 twin tools should have the honda tool for that

[Flyin900]

There are proper chain breaker and riveter kits available to do that job properly, yet if your not a restorer doing multiple bikes then the kit is about $60.00 and isn't cost effective, so a motorcycle shop will be your best option. Always best to enquire with a vendor first before buying parts if your in doubt. The endless chains are usually the Hyvo style and the early chains can be either endless, or with a compression or sometimes a clip link as you have experienced.

[jakec]

So the shop that I called near me said they only install endless chains. Which is why they don't have a tool for it. They are the main shop for vintage Hondas at least in this part of the city.

Regarding a tool. the chain was only $40, so I would probably be better off buying another chain than throwing down on a tool. I bought this chain at the suggestion of another member Kevin, so I will ask him what he did on his rebuild.

[jakec]

Well on second look this morning I guess it's not that bad? You tell me me. the center link in the photo is the joining link. I have only pressed/mangled one post down at this time. I can file the vise grip carnage before installing.

[jakec]

Welp nevermind. I screwed up the link messing with the second post. looks like I'm gona order an endless chain.

[scunny]

what was the tips of the joiner link like, soft tip(a copper colour) dimpled or tapered.

[Flyin900]

Jakec it isn't worth the messing around, as there is a trick on the dimpling too. If you crush it too hard then the plate will be too tight on that link causing issues. Too loose and not enough dimple and if it comes apart at 10K it won't be pretty. Just buy an endless chain from David Silver Spares or another dealer and confirm it is an endless design.

[jakec]

the tips had a dimple you could put a punch in, that made the end soft and able to be pressed down by the vise grips. I actually messed with it some more after posting just a minute ago, now I have both posts mushroomed out pretty evenly and I filed the area smooth. The female part of the master link did get very slightly bent but it still has the normal amount of play that all of the other links have.

If anyone can give me a link to an endless chain, preferably by DID, that would be appreciated. shipping from DSS is $25 which sucks cause I just ordered from there.

I"m so annoyed with this.. I wanted to finish the engine yesterday.

[754]

I am going to say , if you don't own a hammer, this is maybe not something you want to do.
 Why do you want to file them, give a light smoothing, you won't stick anything in there while its running,  right.

[Flyin900]

Here's a RK chain listed on EBay right now for $39.00 with free shipping and equal quality to DID. EBay listing 223782532207 and it is an endless style per the seller.

[jakec]

I ordered the chain, thanks for the link. Amusing item description. As for the Hammer, yeah I don't really need one besides the rubber mallet until now. I hate any part of working on the bike that requires brute force, I instantly start getting really mad, I don't know why. I think it stresses me out

[Airborne 82nd]

I ordered the chain, thanks for the link. Amusing item description. As for the Hammer, yeah I don't really need one besides the rubber mallet until now. I hate any part of working on the bike that requires brute force, I instantly start getting really mad, I don't know why. I think it stresses me out

Might be time for a new hobby