who knew installing chains can be so much fun....

[TheGoodGuy]

We had to install a chain on my friends fzr. Put in a tsumagai branded one, he needs 530x106. They had only 520's and i didnt want to change around the sprokets.

even so it took us 6hrs to get it done.. damn masterlink took over an hr to put on, trying to get the axle loose enough so we could move the rear forward. The old chain had really stretched.. it was good to have a new chain.. bikes running good.

Anyway we pulled off his front sproket cover, it was freaking greasy.. one hr after we started using engine degreaser we finally got it to look like metal. I think that chain was original at 26K. Way over the servicable limit of the chain. Thankfully when i pulled my bikes sproket cover off last week it wasnt as bad and cleaning was a breeze, though i want to clean it out again just in case. ofcourse i need to get an EZ out to get teh broken bolt off the sproket cover, damn suzuki bolts..

[octane]

I put my new chain on this weekend and also had problems with the master link. How'd you finally do it? I didn't have time to mess with it, but I swear it wasn't that difficult last time I changed the chain.

[chimivee]

Are you having difficulty getting the plate onto the master link?  I used two small c-clamps over each pin and tightened each a bit at a time and it worked great.  Took a few minutes.

[tkm433]

We had to install a chain on my friends fzr. Put in a tsumagai branded one, he needs 530x106. They had only 520's and i didnt want to change around the sprokets.

I am lost?

So you put a new chain on sprockets with 26,000 miles/km???

You installed a 520 chain on used 530 sprockets?? Please tell me you did not!!!

It took you 6 hours??

I am sorry but the last bike ( my RZ350) I changed out the chain and sprockets took me maybe 20 minutes at most and that included cleaning under the front sprocket cover and not being in a rush of any type.

NEVER use a new chain on used sprockets.  I use the term used as in more than a couple thousand miles.  It goes the same for new sprockets on old chains.

[TheGoodGuy]

well the sprockets look good, but we will change them, they are on order, so far he can ride them all he wants.

We put 530's in there, but i wasnt sure of the original one, i didn tget to compare the chain, so far as we know that was stock and the stock is 530. That old chain was so rusted and old we couldnt see any markings, it was totally stretched out. We will get some sprockets later on and change them around.

[Rema1000]

had problems with the master link. How'd you finally do it?

I used a table vise and 4 small sockets:


...course, I had to unclamp it from the workbench, so there's probably an easier way!

[Juanfer]

[Kerry]

I used a table vise and 4 small sockets:  (big picture)
http://grapeape.specialgreen.com/img/chaintool.jpg

...course, I had to unclamp it from the workbench, so there's probably an easier way!

Great tip!

I don't remember how I got my new master link on last time, but I know how I'll do it next time!  My vise is already mounted on a 2"x8" board from when my brother and I fabricated some luggage rack mounts out of steel bar stock.  (Lots of whacking with a hammer and sawing with a hacksaw....)

I will probably insert some wood or something between the sockets and the vise jaws, but that's just me....

[Kerry]

Rema, do you still have the picture of your "master link assembly clamp"?  If so, could you post it on a publicly available site?  If you don't have your own webspace, I would be happy to host it for you.

[Greg Gabis]

The MotionPro chain tool is cheep and very handy. With several bikes in the stable, mine gets used regularly but I believe it may be a worthhile investment for anyone with a chain driven bike.

[stephan]

[Kerry]

The MotionPro chain tool is cheep and very handy.

Which MotionPro tool are you referring to?  (Pick from the items on this page.)  None of them seem to specify suitability for installing a clip-style master link -- do you use the rivet-style ("press-fit") links?

PS - For interested parties, these tools are cheaper from Chaparral, and probably other outfits as well.  "Never pay retail!"  

[Wrencher]

Presumably refering to part# 08-0070 or 08-0001.

I have 08-0070 that I picked up from a local shop for about $12. It does not flatten the rivets, but it will press either style master link on. Its cheap, small (roughly the size of a pack of smokes) and it takes about 10 seconds to press a link on with no bloody knuckles or bench vices to lug around.

In hindsight I would have gotten one of their tools that also handles the riveting, but thats another story. Pounding a set of rivets with a BFH, a 2x4, a steel plate and a flashlight at 3am in a parking lot is NOT fun.....trust me.