Drive Chain Master Link /Spring Clip

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I managed to throw my master link spring clip and the removable side plate on a ride last Saturday. Fortunately the pins and fixed plate stayed put and the chain didn't fly off with the potential side effects.. I could hear a intermittent metallic knock that came in 4's that didn't match engine speed, gear, how rough the road etc... bang, bang, bang, bang ... then nothing for while ... repeat like someone doing a roof. Headed for home and replicated the noise by rapping on the chain guard. My chain is little too loose and banging on the guard could be the cause. The chain has about 800 miles on it and I'm close to having to remove a link so I can take up the slack. I'm running a 21T front sprocket. When I replaced the chain , the old one had one less link and the new one was too short with the same number of links, so went with one more which is almost too long. Probably have to take a link out now.

Question: I'm running a standard Renolds 530 roller chain. Do I have to replace the link with a Renolds 530 master link/sping clip or with any standard roller chain 530 connecting link / spring clip ? I picked a up a Diamond 530 standard roller master link at a local HD custom shop. Some other shops/dealers told me I had to match brand. No one around here carries Renolds in stock so I ordered one from a Norton supplier to to be safe and I can carry the other as a spare.
 
If you have to remove a link then the chain is done and it's time for a new chain.

Russ
 
If you have to remove a link then the chain is done and it's time for a new chain.

seems doubtful given that he said the chain has only 800 miles on it

more likely it came new and he fitted it with one link too many, what is that 99 instead of 98 links?
 
You lucked out. i've thown a few master links but every time it lost the master link and dropped chain or held master link with pin bent outwards never to work again. Amen to replacing even before a links worht of wear slack, dang. Took a close look at the teeth you ran the sloppy a chain on and see if you economic sense changes. Its so rare though prolly more practical than safety wire is to just carry a spare link and some wire to draw chain up over front sprocket to re fit w/o taking most the rear apart. Can't share that safety wire with a friend in need. Btw there Definitely is some variation in the pin and hole dia of some 530 chain so Definitely test fit your spares. I have both sizes on hand now. You can also get half links if sprocket size needs the slack. Its an errie feeling to just be on coasting about neutral power to see a metallic snake slithering wiggling out ahead of you on the road.
 
A chain is totally shot when there is 2% stretch. All chain is 2% case hardened so I would change
before this is reached.

It is best practice to use just a new spring clip not replace the whole link as the pin will have the
same wear as the rest of the chain. 90% of current spring clips have a bad design flaw and I change
them for the iwis ones. Message me an address and I will gladly send one FOC. Compare it with others
to see the difference.

A good idea is to put a bit of lock wire rond the clip and the outer plate, there is clearance. Racers do this
to satisfy the scrutes.

If you want to get a link locally ask any bearing company for 10B-1.

Andy
 
What about those joiner links that have nuts to secure the side plate. ?
AndyChain,what is the deal with getting a chain off you thanks,go through the website in NZ ?
 
Hi Andy

Thank you for that piece of advice. Using a new spring clip so that the master has the same wear as the rest of the chain, common sense (when its brought to your attention) I lockwire the side plate but also sometimes use a blob of mastic.
Interesting bit of info about Iswis links. Need to check my spares as I think I brought Iswis nickel coloured chain & spare links when I started racing.

Chris
 
Time warp.

The nut cons were designed for larger chains although some do them for small ones.

They can foul on motorcycles.

Just google The Chain Man.
Andy
 
Ludwig

Thanks buddy the picture shows both types of clip.


PLEASE DO NOT USE THE ONE ON THE RIGHT unless you absolutely have to,
and if you do have to then lock wire it.

Andy
 
Ludwig trust me on this the one on the left is a better design as per the old Renold.

The one on the right is flawed, I have told manufacturers but I am just a grey haired
old guy in UK.

Difficult to explain on here but I can demonstrate at shows, most people I show are gobsmacked.

This is the reason I infiltrate forums, well Laverda and here, to educate folks. There is a massive
black hole of knowledge with chains. What is simple metal bashing has been made into a black art
and I try to blow the myths away.

I give talks all over the UK and they are very well received but in places like USA and Australia
bikers in the main have no way of finding out about what is on the market, what is good, what is
bad and how to the the best product. Most bikers are paying premium price for crap and I will not
join that club.

Here to help

Andy
 
I run the clip on the right of the picture on my DR instead of rivet links so the chain can be removed and cleaned with outback riding.
I think the flaw with that clip can be the person fitting it,the horse shoe can distort easily,one reason I use a set of modified pliers to fit and remove them.
The side plate needs to be set properly also in relation to the clip contact,the clip itself having more points of contact on the pin grooves is maybe a good thing but you have to actually get it in place first.
 
OK I will try to explain.

Look at the clip on the right. Look at the bottom of the picture, if this grips the pin tightly then the other end
will usually be loose. If you look carefully at the closed end you will see that the wear pattern is not even meaning
that this clip has been moving on the pin.

The other clip, Renold type, pulls itself on to the pins although the quality of steel varies make to make it is
still a better design.

Iwis chain had a clip of similar design to the right one back in the 60s and 70s and my father and I had failures.
We ran iwis UK. My father who used to work with Renold told iwis to copy the Renold clip that we supplied. The
Germans at first refused saying that they had been making chain for many years and the design was fine. About 6
months later they introduced connecting links with the Renold design. The failures stopped. No thanks from them
to my father. I ran the company for another 20 years and eventually got the boot because I will never be a "yes man",
something that seems to be a requirement of German companies. However I stand 100% behind the iwis product.

Back to the clip, I will send you 2 cons one with one clip one with the other just feel the play in each. More to the
point fit the clip in the pic to a link and see how much movement there is. OK every now and again the "wrong" clip will
be secure but most times there will be movement.

Andy
 
Is there anything wrong with rivet type master links, aside being a little more work? The AMA Pro Racing Series bans the clips.
 
Besides not being a factory issued item and needing special tools and over kill on unsealed chain, nope. That is a robust secure looking clip if that's the Iwia style. I've tried various ways to put on and remove clips but have ended up sliding clip on one post fully then lift and swing the end over the 2nd post, click and thats that's. Its does seem to spread legs some but I can't seem to get it to work but the pliers shoving on method.
 
Ludwig

Please give me your address and I will send samples so you can see difference.

Every week I hear of clips coming off and the reason is as I have given.

I am getting bored with this conversation as you obviously do not know me and
my scope of knowledge. I will however remind you how this thread started, in as much
as a clip came off!!!!!!!!!

Large companies do not like being told they are wrong and as a point one of the worlds
largest has a problem they are refusing to accept. Hence on several race engines the
original cam chains are being ditched and mine put on.

Believe me or dont, the choice is yours but would you be German by any chance.

I will not get drawn into arguements but will trust my fathers and my 80-90 years in
the chain industry. God help you all when I stop.

Of my small turnover around 20% is bikes the rest is race engine cam chains I do bikes cos
I am a biker and have been for 50 years. Whether I supply Commandos or not will make no
difference to my life but where help is needed I will try to educate. Take your con as pictured
and see if the clip is loose, if it is bingo if not your lucky.

If the AMA had looked at the design rather than banning they might have considered why
the Renold clip lasted for so many years in racing. The use of soft links in my humble opinion
is also suspect as there is a big clue in the name, remember chain is hardened !!!

I will lie back and wait for the crap.

Andy
 
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