Topic: Ever lost a master link while riding???

[westondc]

just got back from a 1,400 mile motorcycle trip with a friend last week. about 300 miles into the trip we found a place to camp and i decided to have a lookover of the '76 CB750 i was riding. to my suprise the clip for the master link on my O ring chain was gone! thank goodness the chain magically stayed on while i was riding. i purchased an extra chain before we left just in case we had this kind of situation... too bad the clip for the link on the new chain was missing from the box! my riding buddy had to make a 3 hour round trip to the rearest dealer in order to get a new $9 O ring master link. Things i learned from the experience: BRING AND EXTRA MASTER LINK & CHECK THE MASTER LINK BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD ON A LONG TRIP. anyone ever lose a link while the bike is in motion?

[mgbgt89]

I think i did once on my 650. Cruising on the interstate, started up a hill and the chain either snapped or i lost the masterlink. Broke my sprocket cover but nothing else. Managed to coast to an exit ramp where i waited for a trailer. I had a friend throw one on a RF900 and it did a ton of engine damage. Luckily he had a spare motor for parts. Did you have the clip on the right direction?

[westondc]

actually these O ring chains don't have a clip. i didn't install the one the came off but the new O ring Link was just two pieces that you push together. i had to borrow a huge pair of vice grips from a guy nearby in order to clamp the sucker together. man did i clamp that new link together hard, scared the crap outa me thinking about what could have happend!

[HondanutRider]

Back in about 1967 I was blasting down the expressway on my way to university, which was a 250 mile journey - all on the expressway.  I was riding my CB77 and we would manage the entire route with only one stop, for gas, averaging about 75mph.  That was on only a 305cc machine...but we were much younger.  At any rate, back to my blast down this highway after about only 30 miles, something gave way and I coasted to a stop only to find that my master link had parted and the chain, fortunately, had only come loose and hung round the swing arm free of everything.  I carried a spare.  So a quick roadside re-fitment and we were on our way again.

Its a good idea to carry a spare...which reminds me - I should.

[bollingball]

I think that master link has to be peened.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Yeah, sounds like your PO didn't put it on properly, that happens less than clips coming off.

Should be installed with a press.

[mick750F]

I think that master link has to be peened.

   +1 If the master link posts aren't/weren't peened then that's why it came apart...and will again. It's what holds the plate on.

Mike

[cb650]

Yes a oring master should have the clip unless its the rivit type.   I lost the chain on the 360 a couple weeks ago.  Not the master just a bad spot.  Should have been watching it more closely so it was my fault.   No check that it was the massive HP of the bike.  

[westondc]

I think that master link has to be peened.

peened? is there a way to do this with the chain on? please explain

[Gonzowerke]

The pins hammered over, mushrooming the head. they make a tool for this and it is cheap.

[westondc]

The pins hammered over, mushrooming the head. they make a tool for this and it is cheap.

well that makes sense in order to keep it from coming off again. i just cant see how I'm going to be able to do that with the chain on the bike  


i remember that the new master link had instructions on the little bag it came in. instructions just stated to lube the new link and push the two parts together.

[Mdub]

They're not that cheap but are indispensible:
http://www.powersports360.com/eshopprod_cat_6338-10361-32688_product_916519.MOTION_PRO174_CHAIN_RIVET_T.htm?utm_source=VersaFeed&utm_medium=VersaFeed&utm_content=Motion+Pro+Chain+Rivet+Tool&utm_campaign=base&v_traceback=c0614_0124_f0614_1545

[westondc]

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/productDetail.do?webCatId=9&webTypeId=35&navTitle=Drive&navType=type&prodFamilyId=3002&stockId=62786&ref=gmc

i did some searching on the web and found some info on the same D.I.D. o ring chain master link. apparently you DO have to peen the link after it is installed! good thing i posted here, might have ended up with the same issue again.

[Duke McDukiedook]

For most of the clips they recommend a press or chain tool also.
 

[MJL]

Never had a link come off, but I took a good look at the chain on my 650 one day to find several link plates cracked, all the way through in some places.

[bollingball]

I went to the honda shop and got the clip style oring ML the post are a little longer so you dont squash the four orings that came with it,

[OldSchool_IsCool]

My PO mounted the ML with the outer plate against the INSIDE plate.  That is to say, the clip was the only think on the outside.  When it let do, the chain lucky spun off the sprockets and was laying in the road like a snake.  Had a buddy run me over to the bike shop and I picked up a new one and two spares.  Was back on the road in a jif.

[faux fiddy]

Hey west,  was this the planned  trip to Austin?

How about did you get a wet sump from  that  douche of rain?   Set records with 11'' reported 40 miles north of where I am.

At the time they reported  11 we had only had about 1, but soon to have two day totals near 3."

The bonus was mid 70's instead of 90-100's.

[MCRider]

The pins hammered over, mushrooming the head. they make a tool for this and it is cheap.

well that makes sense in order to keep it from coming off again. i just cant see how I'm going to be able to do that with the chain on the bike  


i remember that the new master link had instructions on the little bag it came in. instructions just stated to lube the new link and push the two parts together.

If you don't have the tool, you can shade tree mechanic it this way. Back stop the link with block of wood, or preferable something harder like a piece of steel. Then with a small chisel, Hammer an "X" into the end of the pins. This will flare the ends of the pin over, holding the side plate on. It will look similar to the end product of what the tool does. (I think)

[Hasenkopf]

actually these O ring chains don't have a clip. i didn't install the one the came off but the new O ring Link was just two pieces that you push together. i had to borrow a huge pair of vice grips from a guy nearby in order to clamp the sucker together. man did i clamp that new link together hard, scared the crap outa me thinking about what could have happend!

    that's not entirely true...... both the   O ring chain chains on my 550 and 750 have the clip.... you have to  be careful not to stretch it when you remove it  and re- install it..... yes. I had a  clip type master come off on a trail bike.... wasted my day, as the guys gave me a hard time... I learned my lesson.   make sure there is no crud in the way when you re- install it, and it isn't stretched out.l