Master vs Rivet
 

Here goes my short story of failure...

Today I was finishing sprocket\chain swap. I cannot say it was very enjoyable, but had to be done.

Sooo, I successfully screwed the rivet link up. Installed master link (the chain came with both).

How necessary is it to switch back to the rivet link, and how soon should I do it?

Thx!!!

P.S. Incognito, thx for your write up. It was very helpful.

While clip links are not all destined to fail I would definitely feel better with a rivet master link. My opinion would be to swap it out as soon as possible. And keep a close eye on it when you do ride on it.

+:icon_wink:

Yeah, alright, that's what I expected to hear. I'd do the rivet link in a week or so.

Took her for a ride, freeway over 100. The link held well :)

I put -1/+2 sprockets and 520 chain, so far I like it better than the stock setup. Although it raised another problem. RPM got a bit higher and with my stock CCT the whole thing sound horrible. I'd prolly take her to a local shop to do the swap.

And thanks for your answers!

If you're just riding on the street just use the rivet. The clip master link makes a lot more sense to someone that is racing and are swapping out chains whenever they switch their gearing. I don't have a problem using either one, just make sure your tension is correct on the chain and you won't have any issues.

Cool brother ~ thanks :icon_goofygrin:

Did you put on a speedo healer for the correction of speed and mileage?

np man, the heroes must be recognized!

No, haven't done it yet. No money atm :icon_angel:

I'm curious about speedo though. Is it complicated to set up? Determination of the percentage?

I thought a clip would be ok for a while too when I put my new RK on. I was wrong. They come wit a rivet link for a reason. It's kind of a shock when you pull in the garage to clean your chain before heading up to Brainerd for the weekend and find the link clip missing.

Indeed it is, damn...

I put on Regina 520 chain. I got a bit confused about the slack. The chain required 15mm, but the bike's specs say 25-30mm. Which one should I go with?

It is one plug coming from the tranny. You plug in with the harness and do the calibration. Speedohealer V4 has a website that you put in your sprocket sizes and tire sizes and it does the calculation for you and directions to set it.. Took me less then an half hour.. And that was me trying to get my fat hands down to the plug!

NO NO NO. DIY. Dont pay 180 bucks to swap a $50 part. Its a fairly simple swap, the only issue is getting the bottom bolt out, but with the short side cut off of an allen wrench and a socket its a piece of cake.
Oh and BTW, Ive been ridin with the clip on master link for two years now, without issue....(sh*t, I just burned my bread)

What makes me really worried is the proper positioning of the bolt. I've heard\read the consequences of improper setup. Not having a bike isn't an option for me, so I want to get everything right.

I'd really be happy to get to the cam chain and set everything right, but I don't have a garage and I have to finish whatever I start in one day, which isn't always possible.

I had a clip link 525 on my bike once. The chain snapped in half after 1500 miles but the clip link held tight.

OMG :icon_eek:

Why the chain snapped in half then?

There is that question about the slack is still up in the air... can someone clarify that for me? I'm thinking it should be 15mm )))

Run the slack that Honda recommends.

If you get the OEM CCTL all you need to do is make sure it goes back in and both bolts are snug. After that you pull the tab that comes with it and put the old bolt back and and wala you are done.. I have done 2 and had no problems what so ever!!

i have a question... maybe kinda dumb, but i did this swap over the winter.
well i already had -1/+2 520, but i needed a new chain so i just did the chain and sprockets together, and went up to 525, because i wanted the bigger, stronger chain... i figured it would stretch less.

anyway... is the rivet link the one where you have to take a hole punch or something and "spread" out the ends, or is the considered the clip link.

i thought it was the rivet link, but someone i ride with said that it was the clip link.

sry, not tryin to thread jack

Im highly confused by your question. A rivit is a rivit and a clip is a clip, no way to confuse them for each other.

My chain snapped because it couldn't handle the F4i power. One of the rollers just went when I shifted from 2nd to 3rd at full throttle. No idea why.

Had clip fail years ago and throw the chain off cracking the case. Never again - rivet only, even on the race bike. I carry the necessary tools to replace it at the track.

To G3NESYS: The one you described as ""spread" out the ends" is the rivet. Clip one is called clip, because you literally put a small metal clip over the link (it's also known as Master link).

+1000 Better to do it right.