Watch your master link clips!!!!

[bdavison]

Ok, do today I was doing my regular walk-around weekly maintenance check. Basically I take a close look at everything on the bike once a week to make sure there are no problems that need addressing.

Apparently, sometime during the last week...the CLIP came OFF my masterlink

What's really freaky is that I rode 500 miles last weekend up the interstate, and I know the clip was on there before I left....but I dont know when it came off.

THANK GOD it didnt seperate while I was riding. I cant believe it didnt come apart...there was nothing holding the chain together other than the link sideplate.

So if you are using a clip based masterlink...check that puppy!

Im about to safety wire my masterlink, so this doesnt happen again. Stupid clips. When I changed my chain out, I asked for a rivet link...got a clip based, and the shop said "It will be fine, I use them all the time"....Yeah...Whatever.

[azimmer11]

[Alex]

Glad you caught it!

[Snake]

Bryan, I would change it out to a rivet link.

[bdavison]

I would, but I couldnt find a rivet link anywhere locally, and since the bike is my only form of transportation...I got another clip.

Ill weld that clip together if I have to. I guarentee it aint coming off again.

[Skippii]

welding isn't great for the o-rings.

RTV, Epoxy, cyanoacrylate, etc usually do the trick.

[CThunder-blue]

Ok, now I'm paranoid. Thanks! Guess I'll go squeeze some window weld on the master link.

[bluepoof]

That's happened to me on every non-rivet chain link I've ever put on. I seem to only notice it missing when it's 100+ degrees out on some ride in the middle of nowhere. Pain in the butt!

[CThunder-blue]

Carolyn, are you connected to bluepoof.com?

Edit, nevermind. I just read your Sig. LOL. Your website helped me when installing my chain and masterlink. thanks!

[DarC]

I picked up a spare to keep in the "trunk". I have been know to use a pipe flaring tool to put a small divot/peen to help keep it from coming loose. No lost master links in god knows how many miles but I always have the spare.

I also was victim to ordering a rivet link on the last TWO chains and always got the dam clips. I think I need to give up and just order some riveting mater links in a small bulk for a number of different chains.

[ninja250]

Get chain breaker and press and forget about master links. Make your own.
No place for master links on a motorcycle.
Glad nothing bad happened.

The GSXR I never knew how many links I needed. always ordered long oversize chains than what was stated on their computer and cut them down. (with chain tools)

[Racer x]

You can safety wire the clip. There is enough room for wire to go around the link and not get cut by the sprocket. I have never done it but I have seen it when I tech bikes at the track. I also have never seen a clip come off. The use them inside engines to hold cam chains together on Mercedes V8s. Are you sure it was put on going in the proper direction?

[bluepoof]

Originally Posted by CThunder-blue

Carolyn, are you connected to bluepoof.com?

Edit, nevermind. I just read your Sig. LOL. Your website helped me when installing my chain and masterlink. thanks!

[bdavison]

Originally Posted by Racer x

You can safety wire the clip. There is enough room for wire to go around the link and not get cut by the sprocket. I have never done it but I have seen it when I tech bikes at the track. I also have never seen a clip come off. The use them inside engines to hold cam chains together on Mercedes V8s. Are you sure it was put on going in the proper direction?

Yes...it was oriented in the correct direction, and also it was in the grooves and the clip part was together. It was installed correctly.

Its rather spooky to look down and see a chain link held together with nothing, and know that you were just doing 80+ up the interstate for 500 miles a few days ago.

[n4mwd]

I have never been able to find my master link. Is this photo what the stock one looks like?

[Racer x]

Props to you for being smart enough to inspect you bike on a regular basis. I will be checking chain clips on my bike and the bikes I inspect at the race track. Thanks for brining this up. It is always the 25 cent part that cost the most when it fails..

[Racer x]

If you have one that is way it should look like,the wire is extra. Notice the direction the link is facing. The open part should be at the tail.

[TXninja]

Ya the same thing happened to me after i replaced my chain with a clip on... took about 300 miles before it came off... I had to do a bunch of searching online but I finally found a rivet master link online and installed it.. no worries now.. GET A RIVET MASTER LINK!!!

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by Racer x

If you have one that is way it should look like,the wire is extra. Notice the direction the link is facing. The open part should be at the tail.

In the photo, it looks like the open end is on the front side. I'm assuming the camera is on the left side.

[Racer x]

sorry It has to do with the direction of rotation.
The camera is on the left .But the clip is on the bottom of the sprocket. When the clip is on the top of the sprocket it would be closed part forward and the open part trailing as it goes around .

[bdavison]

The easy way to remember which way the clip goes is think of it like a fish...Then remember the saying "The fish always swims up stream" The picture above is oriented correctly.

Also, the stock chain is a riveted master link chain. It does not have a clip.
The problem with the stock chain is that if you want to remove it intact, you have to take the swingarm off. Thats why most people just dremel cutoff the chain when they change it out.

Needless to say, my clip is never coming off again.

I would strongly suggest to you guys that are using a clip based chain to either swap out the masterlink to a rivet type, or safety wire the clip.

Best case scenario, the chain doesnt come off, and you get the chance to ride another day like me. Worst case scenario, it comes off, locks up the rear wheel, and then chews a hole through the side of the crankcase as it wads up around the front sprocket.

Be safe guys, and dont let some little 2 cent piece of stamped metal kill you.

[rockNroll]

Haven't lost one that I know of, I'd guess somewhere in the 100-150 range that I've installed. If you're tossing these things while in use, there's a problem.

[Skippii]

If you use two E-clips instead of the master clip, they stay one better, and one will hold even if the other fails (but you cant't saftey wire them) also, the stock chain is NOT a rivet style master link--it's an endless chain, where the last link is riveted to the first instead of riveting the first and last links to a third link.(There is, of course, no difference in function or reliabily between the two.)
Posted via Mobile Device

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by Skippii

If you use two E-clips instead of the master clip, they stay one better, and one will hold even if the other fails (but you cant't saftey wire them) also, the stock chain is NOT a rivet style master link--it's an endless chain, where the last link is riveted to the first instead of riveting the first and last links to a third link.(There is, of course, no difference in function or reliabily between the two.)
Posted via Mobile Device

This sounds like the most probable reason why I haven't found the master link. I didn't realize they didn't use them on stock bikes.

[EsrTek]

I was also staring at my bike for like 30 mins going.. I don't see any damn master link on this chain???

[Gulf1]

Hell I broke mine just trying to install the new chain! I went with a screw-type and I'll nver use anything else. Couldn't go on any easier and won"t be coming off unless I want it to.

[KJohnson21]

Originally Posted by ninja250

Glad nothing bad happened.

Originally Posted by ninja250

Get chain breaker and press and forget about master links. Make your own.
No place for master links on a motorcycle.

The GSXR I never knew how many links I needed. always ordered long oversize chains than what was stated on their computer and cut them down. (with chain tools)

How do you join the ends together?

[Nemesis]

I just safety wired my master link last night. Should be good to go now.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Nemesis

I just safety wired my master link last night. Should be good to go now.

edit nevermind.

the safety wire doesn't wear in contact with the sprocket?

[bdavison]

Originally Posted by alex.s

edit nevermind.

the safety wire doesn't wear in contact with the sprocket?

No, because the sprocket never contacts the side plate. Its got a good 1/8" clearance between the side plate and the sprocket. You could actually fit a small ziptie in there without it contacting.

[demp]

I just cover the side with loctite when I'm done installing the chain, haven't had one come off yet =)

[bob706]

I keep a spare clip in my trunk also but I think I'm going to invest in a safety wire set up after reading this thread I'm riding to the dragon in a few weeks and with my luck...

[CZroe]

Make sure to use a MATCHED rivet link! A dealer used the wrong one on my bike and totally screwed up the chain and sprockets.

[ninja250]

Originally Posted by bob706

I keep a spare clip in my trunk also but I think I'm going to invest in a safety wire set up after reading this thread I'm riding to the dragon in a few weeks and with my luck...

I think I'm starting to agree with safety wiring stuff. I'm an RC helicopter mechanic.. Bolts that are falling out drives me crazy.
I see it all day on bikes because they use torque and no loctite.
I can't be having that kind of thing happen on my machines.
I have always gone with a chain breaker, no links.

[ninja250]

Originally Posted by bob706

I keep a spare clip in my trunk also but I think I'm going to invest in a safety wire set up after reading this thread I'm riding to the dragon in a few weeks and with my luck...

I think I'm starting to agree with safety wiring stuff. Bolts that are falling out drives me crazy. I'm an RC helicopter mechanic..
I see it all day on bikes because they use torque and no loctite.
I can't be having that kind of thing happen on my machines.
I have always gone with a chain breaker, no links.

Make sure to use a MATCHED rivet link! A dealer used the wrong one on my bike and totally screwed up the chain and sprockets.

Hope my old chain is hanging in there for ya! No need to worry about master links when I put it on your bike!

[bdavison]

Originally Posted by ninja250

I think I'm starting to agree with safety wiring stuff. I'm an RC helicopter mechanic.. Bolts that are falling out drives me crazy.
I see it all day on bikes because they use torque and no loctite.
I can't be having that kind of thing happen on my machines.
I have always gone with a chain breaker, no links.

Me too...5 helicopters and 15 planes. Anything from ducted fan jets to quarter-scale.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by ninja250

I think I'm starting to agree with safety wiring stuff. Bolts that are falling out drives me crazy. I'm an RC helicopter mechanic..
I see it all day on bikes because they use torque and no loctite.
I can't be having that kind of thing happen on my machines.
I have always gone with a chain breaker, no links.


Hope my old chain is hanging in there for ya! No need to worry about master links when I put it on your bike!

It is and it got me here safe, but I heard noises during the trip, lubed it at each stop, and parked it as soon as I arrived in GA (promised to replace is ASAP, remember? ). Anyway, I left it under a covered and nearly fully-enclosed lean-to over a weekend (think "garage with door left open except door is just big enough for a bike") and came back to find that the chain was covered in rust and the bike wouldn't start (assume that water condensed in the carbs).

I still owe you big time. LMK if there's ever anything you need that I have.

FWIW, I used the Liquid Wrench chain lube from Harbor Freight. I'm guessing the stuff has no water-proofing component.

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by CZroe

It is and it got me here safe, but I heard noises during the trip, lubed it at each stop, and parked it as soon as I arrived in GA (promised to replace is ASAP, remember? ). Anyway, I left it under a covered and nearly fully-enclosed lean-to over a weekend (think "garage with door left open except door is just big enough for a bike") and came back to find that the chain was covered in rust and the bike wouldn't start (assume that water condensed in the carbs).

I still owe you big time. LMK if there's ever anything you need that I have.

FWIW, I used the Liquid Wrench chain lube from Harbor Freight. I'm guessing the stuff has no water-proofing component.

Why has your bike been just sitting there? Have you been sick?

I use Maxima Chain Wax, but I'm bot sure if its any better. It does protect pretty good from rust.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

Why has your bike been just sitting there? Have you been sick?

I use Maxima Chain Wax, but I'm bot sure if its any better. It does protect pretty good from rust.

I left to West Virginia for the weekend and we took my brother's car. I couldn't ride it because I wasn't there! Even since being back, I've only been putting miles on it sparringly because I need all kinds of things done. I have no tread left, a horrible noise from the engine, a right fork which leaked what was very likely all of its oil during the trip, new chain and sprockets after my new chain started chewing them up, and I probably need it all checked out after hitting a curb head-on.

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by CZroe

I left to West Virginia for the weekend and we took my brother's car. I couldn't ride it because I wasn't there! Even since being back, I've only been putting miles on it sparringly because I need all kinds of things done. I have no tread left, a horrible noise from the engine, a right fork which leaked what was very likely all of its oil during the trip, new chain and sprockets after my new chain started chewing them up, and I probably need it all checked out after hitting a curb head-on.

How many miles on it? Is this the one you rode from CA?

Hitting a curb head on may have bent your forks and might explain the leak. Engine noises could be nothing or everything. What does it sound like? Are you planning on doing the work yourself?