Member Contributer 2FAST4U Posted July 17, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted July 17, 2011 Somebody posted this link on another forum. If it's a re-post, feel free to delete. http://www.kawiforums.com/how-tos-faqs/121549-diy-chain-rivet-tool.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer IntAceptor Posted July 17, 2011 Member Contributer Share Posted July 17, 2011 That is a great MacGyver for sure. I did pretty much the same thing with a ball bearing and a pair of vise grips and have been doing it that way through 3 chains. Being the rivet cover is a press fit, you do not have to flare the rivet much to keep it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audigier Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Excelent idea I was about to pay for having my chain changed just because i didn't had the tools to do it myself, one question, how tight you have to press on the river? Just trial and error until it looks ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Havagan Posted March 27, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted March 27, 2013 how tight you have to press on the river? Just trial and error until it looks ok? You press on the rivet until the diameter of the staked area is 5.50mm-5.95mm (manual gives 5.50-5.80 for DID and 5.50 to 5.95 for RK chains). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FJ12Ryder Posted March 27, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted March 27, 2013 I like ingenious ideas as much as the next guy and as an emergency fix it's a good idea, but why not get the right tool for the job? Would you buy a crescent wrench when you actually need a flange wrench? Sometimes the best tool for the job is the tool designed for the job. These tools are not overly expensive and are something you'll use again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownAndOutNYC Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Because sometimes the "right" tool for the job is nothing more then a over priced, alluring tool for the job. Yes, there are some tools that you just cannot substitute with anything else, but this isn't one of them. Especially considering one of the biggest gripes I always hear concerning master link riveter tools, is just how easily they break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer zupatun Posted March 27, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted March 27, 2013 Very important to have the ability to measure rivet dimeter here as well. I second on overpriced tools. I've used a punch and drift...I'm good at it, wouldn't recommend it for most...this is even easier. Once every year or two is when I change changes, at most... If I put chains on multiple bikes or for my job is buy the tool, but not for once every couple years plus or minus... Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FJ12Ryder Posted March 27, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted March 27, 2013 I believe that most of the times the master link tools break is because they are used to try and "break" the chain, and most are under engineered to do that. That's what I've noticed anyway. It would be very tough to break a master link tool by swaging the master link pin over. Like I've heard over the years: "There's never enough money to do it right, but there's always enough money to do it over." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audigier Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Is it a must that you place the rivet link on the sprocket to do this?? Because I may be able to get a tool to do this job but i would need the chain to he hanging under the swingarm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownAndOutNYC Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 I believe that most of the times the master link tools break is because they are used to try and "break" the chain, and most are under engineered to do that. That's what I've noticed anyway. It would be very tough to break a master link tool by swaging the master link pin over. Like I've heard over the years: "There's never enough money to do it right, but there's always enough money to do it over." That's what I hear too. But if it was the right tool for the job in the first place, why is it breaking while trying to use it for what it was made for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer FJ12Ryder Posted March 27, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted March 27, 2013 Mostly they break because, from what I understand, people are trying to break the chain before grinding the rivet heads smooth. A high quality chain breaker will easily run nearly $70 by itself, so you're paying about that for a chain breaker/rivet tool. It just isn't strong enough to break a chain that isn't prepped. Sometimes it just of irks me that some will pay good money for useless bling, but balk at paying for decent tools. Just kind of a pet peeve of mine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 (edited) The nice thing is that you can go to yard sales and flea markets and pick up old c-clamps made in the USA for under 5.00. Bolt cutters are the best chain breakers. Edited March 27, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthshake Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 Bolt cutters are the best chain breakers. Yes indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audigier Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 ok guys, i just went shopping and found a flaring tool set for around 16 usdollars, i already had a few c-clamps laying around, are you interested on seeing some pictures for those who may like to go this way instead of buying the specific/expensive tool? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-ATV-Chain-Cutter-Breaker-Riveting-Rivet-Tool-Sizes-428-520-530-/190722980930?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item2c67f9bc42&vxp=mtr Under 40.00. There is no excuse to make tools. Well, unless you hate using the right tool for the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audigier Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Great find but I am in Mexico and this part is not going to be delivered as fast as i need it plus the shipping would make it expensive, ill order one for the next time but this time I will have to use my home made tool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud786 Posted March 28, 2013 Share Posted March 28, 2013 Mostly they break because, from what I understand, people are trying to break the chain before grinding the rivet heads smooth. A high quality chain breaker will easily run nearly $70 by itself, so you're paying about that for a chain breaker/rivet tool. It just isn't strong enough to break a chain that isn't prepped. Sometimes it just of irks me that some will pay good money for useless bling, but balk at paying for decent tools. Just kind of a pet peeve of mine. yes once you get to a 530 chain and higher, they will break most chain breakers, grinding the rivet heads totall flush you can usually pop off side plate with a large screwdriver. I dont own a chain breaker, not a must have tool, however a rivet punch is desirable, Im tired of using a anvil and ball peen hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 91talon Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 I just used a Harbor Freight chain breaker as a rivet press. Worked just fine, and only $15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V4 Rosso Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 yes once you get to a 530 chain and higher, they will break most chain breakers, grinding the rivet heads totall flush you can usually pop off side plate with a large screwdriver. I dont own a chain breaker, not a must have tool,I have a chain tool and allways grind the rivet head flush before using the breaker pin of the tool. What's nice about the DID tool isthat it puts the side plate at exactly the right position, not putting too much pressure on the X-rings so they last long and keep the grease inside and dirt outside the chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Rice Posted April 2, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted April 2, 2013 Why didn't I think of that??? What a great idea. I agree that some jobs require proper tools, but jobs like this one can certainly be done in any number of ways with the same results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspanglish Posted June 28, 2013 Share Posted June 28, 2013 I didn't get the guides or shims, with my new chain... the ones that stop you from overpressing the faceplate on and binding the link up... anyone know the thickness of these guides so I can fab some homemade ones up...??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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