Topic: Stupid question about chain masterlink.

[asbissonnette]

I feel kind of defeated by this little clip. I installed a new master link to my 75 cb550 chain. It is an O-ring style chain. I have gone through two of the little clips that prevent the pins from releasing the plate - they kept splitting in half whenever I slid them over on the pins.

What I discovered was that the two pins are not pushed all the way through the plate, I think. I can kind of see the groove on the pins where the clip sits, but I think the pins need to be pushed out a little further for the groove to totally clear the plate. When I sit the clip on the pin (through the hole that is larger near the center) it doesn't catch the groove and falls right off. This explains why the clips kept splitting as I was trying to slide them onto the largest part of the pin where there is no groove.

The problem is, I cannot get the plate compressed onto the chain any more than what it is. I tried a couple methods, including taking a small hex socket that is larger than the pin, setting the open part over the pin and compressing the link together with a c-clamp. I compressed it to the point of the C-clamp bending, but still nothing. What could be preventing it from fitting together correctly? Maybe the O-rings aren't sitting right?

I compressed it enough so that the master link will not come apart under any force that I am capable of delivering to it. Do you think I could just preen the ends of the two pins to prevent it from coming out and forego the clip all together?

[VTCBike750]

Id be very cautious putting an o-ring chain on a 550. Too wide.

[lucky]

I know you do not want to hear this but I would have used a regular chain and regular clip.
These bikes were not made for O ring chains.

A regular chain with modern PJ chain lube will not fly off.
You put the chain lube on and leave it overnight.

[asbissonnette]

Didn't know that.. It is the same chain that was on the bike when I bought it. I appreciate the advice..

[LesterPiglet]

The reason being they are wider than a non o-ring chain and can wear through the crankcases.

[tlbranth]

It is, however, possible to machine the counter-sprocket to accommodate the wider chain and if an o-ring was on it prior, then maybe you're OK. There's a tool for installing those press-fit side links. I think Motion-Pro sells one. I made one and use a c-clamp to close it. You have to be careful not to press the plate on too far or you'll mash the o-ring and cause binding. What I do is squeeze a bit, remove the clamp and see if the edge of the clip will just slide in all the places necessary (4 spots to check).
If you can use an o-ring or x-ring chain, do it. The difference is night and day.