Why is there no master link on my chain?

[TOMIMOTO]

:dunno:

Was going to take it off today and clean it only to find out there's no master link.

[Michael]

The chain is one that is called endless.  To get it off you have to cut it, or remove the wheel and swingarm.  When you replace it, you can use the same, with the same hassle to get it on, or get an O-ring chain with a master link.  Theoretically the endless chains are supposed to have less chance of coming off because there is no master link to come undone.  I have never actually heard of anyone losing a chain because their master link undid itself.  How 'bout y'all?  Anyone else heard of it?
Also theoretically the master link is meant to be a bit weaker  than the other links, so on REALLY powerful bikes they just might break there before breaking somewhere else.  I've never heard of that happening either.  I've had chains break but it always seemed to be pretty random as to where.

[mp183]

Why would you want to take it off?  Just wipe it off with a rag slightly soaked in kerosene or wd40.  Wipe the teeth and sides of the sprocket also.  Lube it when warm and ride.   I got 18,000 miles out of my original chain and I was not a fanatic about keeping it clean.  I did lube it with chain wax every 600 miles.  I tried a regular chain lube on my new chain.  I thought the chain lube would help condition the o-rings but it leaves too much of a mess.

[sledge]

During my line of buisness I once  had to speak to an Applications Engineer who was employed by Renold Chain. After all the work talk was over I asked him the question regarding the lack of split-links on motorcycle drive chains. This is the answer I got.  The 2 free pins that the split-link would normaly fit to are securely fixed to the linkplate on one side of the chain by peening. On the other side the linkplate slides onto the pins before the clip. There must be a small amount of clearence between the pins and the holes in the clip- side linkplate to allow this. As a result of this the two pins are essentially a loose fit and are only securely fastened to the linkplate on one side. As a result every time the chain is used the pins flex slightly. Now the scary bit...... Because of this continual flexing, Pins have been known to develop stress fractures and break and to have become detatched from the linkplate.

Makes sense to me, I am sticking to endless chains!

[Stormer]

I have never had a chain break, but I have lost the clip that held the plate in. I now lock wire the clip to the plate to make sure I never lose the clip again.

[Lars]

During my line of buisness I once  had to speak to an Applications Engineer who was employed by Renold Chain. After all the work talk was over I asked him the question regarding the lack of split-links on motorcycle drive chains. This is the answer I got.  The 2 free pins that the split-link would normaly fit to are securely fixed to the linkplate on one side of the chain by peening. On the other side the linkplate slides onto the pins before the clip. There must be a small amount of clearence between the pins and the holes in the clip- side linkplate to allow this. As a result of this the two pins are essentially a loose fit and are only securely fastened to the linkplate on one side. As a result every time the chain is used the pins flex slightly. Now the scary bit...... Because of this continual flexing, Pins have been known to develop stress fractures and break and to have become detatched from the linkplate.

Makes sense to me, I am sticking to endless chains!

This is exactly what happened to my masterlink. The plate that holds the pins snapped in two because of the continuing flexing.  It was a clip-type masterlink, it snapped 10000 km's after I fitted it. The chain was a Regina 525 O-ring chain.   Riveted masterlinks are stronger because they fit more precisely.

Another thing was that the grease on the pins had disappeared, so the pins  were damaged also.  

[edit]

I decided to post some pictures of the link:

http://www.gstwins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=113
http://www.gstwins.com/gallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=112

Here you can also see that the other plate fits quite loosely over the pins.

[Daniely]

My masterlink snapped this weekend, lol. Nearly destroyed my tranny and most of the tail of my bike is gone. GO WITH A RIVET TYPE CHAIN!! lol.

[scratch]

It's the original chain.

Good grief, you guys are pretty hard on your chains to be snapping them like this! At least you're having fun!

[Daniely]

I also ride a 600 lol.

[Rema1000]

There must be a small amount of clearence between the pins and the holes in the clip- side linkplate to allow this. As a result of this the two pins are essentially a loose fit and are only securely fastened to the linkplate on one side. As a result every time the chain is used the pins flex slightly.

So we should spot-weld the pins to the plate on the c-clip side ?

[Lars]

There must be a small amount of clearence between the pins and the holes in the clip- side linkplate to allow this. As a result of this the two pins are essentially a loose fit and are only securely fastened to the linkplate on one side. As a result every time the chain is used the pins flex slightly.

So we should spot-weld the pins to the plate on the c-clip side ?

Hehe, nice idea  :mrgreen:  But doesn't that damage the hardening of the pins and the plate?

[DerekNC]

Srinath said we should be running a belt. That's just one step closer to a Harley. :lol:

Derek

[cernunos]

One step closer to a Harley is not a bad thing. And if you use a master-clip on your link try putting silicone sealer on the clip next time. It keeps it from inadvertently coming off...which I've never had one come off but some people say they have. Oh how I love the GS500 and the twin forum.

C.......

[Michael]

The other thing about the clip is to make sure the open end points away from the direction of rotation of the chain when running.  Theoretically it could catch on something if its pointing forward.