I bought my first CBR this spring and the chain is now due for replacement. I live in a small town far from any motorcycle dealerships, and the closest one wants an arm and a leg to replace my chain. Also, when I had to tell him what bike I have, he asked if it was a dirt bike, then if it was a Kawasaki. I really don't trust him to work on my bike. So my question is, has anyone run, or have an opinion or information on running a master link chain on their CBR? I can easily cut my old one off, I just don't have the rivet tool to install a new one so the master link option is looking really appealing.

 

I think you will get an overwhelming response in favor of the rivet route. You can order the rivet tool online fairly cheap.

 

Says it right there in the carboard box of the chain: clip links should NOT be used on a streetbike.

Here have a look at this thread I wrote to about the same thing just yesterday. He was extremely lucky the clip side link plate held.

https://cbrforum.com/forum/cbr-600f-...l-girl-153815/

A proper rivet tool will pay itself back in one or two chain swaps.

 

Ok thanks for the feedback guys. I will be getting the rivet tool. On a side note, is there any way to tell which chain I should order? I don't know if this bike has the original setup or not.

 

Look up what it says in the side of your current chain. You should have numbers on equal spacing like 520, 525 or 530, most likely you have a 530 chain. Also check your sprockets, if they have not been changed very recently it is highly recommended to change all three at the same time.

Stick to reputable brands like DID, JT, Sunstar, Rk... the chain is a VERY bad place to try to save a few bucks, proper good brand chain lasts many times longer and is considerably less likely to break.

 

Great, thanks for the info! 525 chain. I've always had good luck with DID on the dirt bikes so I was planning to go with it on the CBR as well.

 

lucky lucky!! I guess I have be fortunate in 36 years of using a clip on type master link and never having a problem. Always using an RK 530 chain on a CB750F and then the 1K Hurricane.

Not to prove anything, I just did not know any different. When ever I purchased a chain thats what the shop sold me.

 

So I've been without internet for nearly 4 years and am just getting back into this forum after getting out from under my old landlord's weird obsession with not wanting internet...

Funny thing is, I so badly wanted the clip link to work that I safety wired the clip on and went for it. Even WITH the safety wire, I lost 4 clips! I was lucky enough to not lose the end plate on any of those occasions. I never did get the tool, but a new shop had opened up nearby and only charged $25 to put in a rivet link. Never will I run a clip link ever again! Hope this helps anyone else that comes across this in the future.

 

Welcome back. Yes, rivoted is the way to go for sure.

 

Cool that you checked in to update after so many years!
Riveted is the best, I will only run clips on my grom. But I have had success with the screw type master link from EK for anyone that doesnt wanna fiddle with the tool. I imagine it would be good to bring on trips to save yourself from having to bring the chain tool along.