alright i got an EK-MVXZ chain and it comes with a clip style master link....they also offer a screw-type master but that's like $16 and the rivet is about $2.....

my question is whether anyone has had any problems with clip-style master links...i know a LOT of chains come with them and i have read the pros and cons...mainly you have to install it in the right direction, yada yada yada.....the main reason i am asking is whether i splurge for a full cutting/riveting tool ($70+) or just a cutter ($20) seeing as i have to cut out some links....i mean if i have to purchase the rivet for $2 no biggie, but then i have to get the full tool...vs i stay with the clip style and pay only $20 for the cutter....

so any thoughts, opinions....

also, on a sidenote, anyone know a good calculator for determining how many links you need when doing a conversion...i am at 108 stock right now...but i dropped a tooth in the front...dunno if i would need 106 or not (dropping 2...thanks thirdgen)....

thanks guys...

 

I had the clip type installed by a shop (so I assumed it was in the right direction) rode it home and no problem. Then about a few weeks later I saw that it had come off. Rivet all the way.

 

+1 go with the rivet! If the chain breaks it will whip around and can crack your cases and/or break your leg. Not worth the few bucks difference. I too tried the clip... ONCE, just to see since someone else had said "oh yea they work great, no problems!". I always do my own chains and always did a rivet link, but just wanted to try it once and see. I installed in properly in the right direction, and even pushed the pins back out like you're supposed to after installing the clip to keep pressure on it. Sure enough, a couple weeks later I'm cleaning my chain and the clip is gone. Never again!!

Same thing on my buddies bike.... he brought it over to my house one time to do something on it, and I'm spinning the tire around looking at the chain and I get to the master link... no clip. The clip is fine for temporary use only, IMO. Like if you just need to ride it to the shop or whatever, but not for any long term use.

As for the chain length, if you went down one then you'll just leave the chain the same length... 108 links. You're using a smaller sprocket in front so you're going to have MORE chain slack. If you added links the wheel would be off the swingarm, haha. Now if you kept the front stock and went up 3 or so in the back you'd need to go to 110 links... but that's only if you're messing with the rear. Remember, when adding or subtracting links, you always gotta go in incriments of 2. There's the inner link and an outer link. The master link is always an outer link, so when cutting the chain it always has to end with an inner link at both ends. If the chain is too long and needs to be cut down, you can't take off one link because then you'll have one inner link on one end, and an outer link on the other. You have to take off that inner link along with it's accompaning outer link, to get to the next available inner link, resulting in removing of 2 links. Does that make any sense? Cuz I really confused myself typing it, but it should be right, lol. But that's why you gotta be real careful when cutting down a chain... it's VERY easy to cut it too short!

So just leave it 108... you won't be able to accurately use that little chain life gauge thingy on the adjusters cuz it'll be a little farther back even when new... but there's plenty of adjustment to compensate for the extra chain slack

 

lol...sorry about that...i meant to put in 107....not one up...ugh...such a dip sometimes...

anyways....i broke down and decided on the rivet style....too many people saying how their clip came off....i found a decent breaker/riveter set from Pit Posse for like $55 which isn't too bad....and i was wrong about the rivet masters...they are about $8 a piece....i got two just in case....hopefully it will get here by this weekend....we'll see though....

thanks for the comments....

 

you can't go 107...only even links.
most will recommend rivet...

if you choose clip though, you still need to press the links together then use the clip (in correct direction) with some RTV behind it.