Vtcyclist Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I have a 2003 VFR I bought 5 weeks ago. I've put 2500 miles on it in that time. Great bike. Here is my question. The bike does not have the riveted master link, instead a standard clip style link. The chain/sprockets appear to have some wear but still have many miles left on them. What is the conventional wisdom to running a clip type master link vs. the riveted one. Have people had failures with the clip style? I've had no problems in the miles I've ridden. Some of it spirited riding, but certainly not race track type demanding. Just wondering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer JZH Posted October 1, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 1, 2013 You will get a dozen "I've always used clip links, and I'm still heres" and a dozen "clip links are evils". May as well start an oil thread... Ciao, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer mk2davis Posted October 1, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 1, 2013 To answer our question, people have had problems with with clip master links. I haven't, but others have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vtcyclist Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Did not know this was ledgendary like oil threads. More asking whether to rivet it for it's remaining miles or leave it be. In 45 years of motorcycles, I've never owned a riveted chain. All my bikes have been either drive shafts or clipped links. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 If you're nervous about using a clip, you can safety wire them . GL Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I've lubed my chain before and while doing it, noticed the clip was gone but the side plate was still there. Raises the hair on the back of your neck. I don't have time to worry about that, so no more clips for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud786 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I never had any issue with press clip master links no glue/no epoxy/no wiring, atleast on sub 100 horse bikes. I used to run them on the vfr , till I lost so many clips it was rediculous, atleast 1/2 a dosen. With 2.6 mm plating, you dont seem to get as much side plate flex, so I did have a clip last life of the chain(epoxied). 2.2 and 2.4mm chains, those clips would just pop, even the epoxy wouldnt hold. And I beliieve the main reason is side plate flexing. However I never had a pressed side plate move, even though losing the clip. Of course with rivets, the tolerences are so tight, much harder to install its pressed plate, but makes everything become a non liability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I would never trust epoxy to hold in that scene ( or Locktite red). J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vtcyclist Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 Thanks for the replies. Based on what I am hearing, I am not going to be concerned about the clip style link on my bike. If my next chain comes with a rivet link I'll use it then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Please post up when your chain spools off quietly onto the highway. Enquiring minds want to know. (I won't mention the VFRd member that had his pile up in the countershaft sprocket cover) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Rice Posted October 2, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 2, 2013 To me, clip links are like lane splitting (own experience). You don't have a worry in the world until someone opens a door... And it's just never the same after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Have a friend whose riveted chain came apart and wound itself around the rear turn signal stalk , 1/4 mile from his shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer BCmcrider Posted October 2, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 2, 2013 Have a friend whose riveted chain came apart and wound itself around the rear turn signal stalk , 1/4 mile from his shop. Do you know if it was the riveted master that failed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Yes it was , and he was the rivetor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer BCmcrider Posted October 2, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 2, 2013 Yes it was , and he was the rivetor I recently put a new DID chain on and when riveting the master, I was surprised that the specs for rivet head mushroom dimensions were not included with the chain. I wonder why? I'm assuming your friend did something wrong with the riveting. Did he ever figure out what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 If you go too far and split the rivit head, you're treading towards possible failure. Properly done, I'd trust them more than the other options. Specs for the rivit link pin spread and depth are in the FSM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noobtastic14 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 When my master link failed it caused several hundred dollars in damage to the case area around the front sprocket. Took several weeks to replace all the broken plates and bolts. Luckily this happened at 20mph and I did not go down. If it would have failed at speed the several quarts of spilled oil would have been terrible for traction. Master link was riveted, and I improperly shot said rivet . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer gll429 Posted October 2, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 2, 2013 bottom line.. ALL types of links have failed and will fail in the future..and i have seen broken belts and drive shafts.. it all comes down to WHO did your link and how careful they are. even then, anything can happen. i personally use a clip type. and yes i carry 2 spares.. one for ME.. and one to help out anyone else who is stuck ( if they have a chain it it fits.) so it all comes down to luck.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud786 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I would never trust epoxy to hold in that scene ( or Locktite red). J I wouldnt use red lock tite either, its not strong enough as an industrial expoxy, the purpose of the epoxy was to hold the clip against the side plate and not vibrate and wallow out the clip hold around the pins. But when I was poping brand new clips on 2.2 or 2.4 mm side plated chains ridely, I knew there had to be something else going on there, such as side plate flex that was also breaking the expoxy, plus popping the clip. The 2.6 mm plating that held well to end of life, IMO didnt have the same side plate flexing issue so the clip held much better. Ofcourse this was before, just transfering to rivit, as I was done with the clip popping episodes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CHUCK2 Posted October 3, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 3, 2013 If you're nervous about using a clip, you can safety wire them . GL Jeff How is that done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Ranger77 Posted October 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 6, 2013 I'd really like to go with a clip chain just so I can take the chain off and be able to clean it without getting crap all over my bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer CHUCK2 Posted October 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 6, 2013 The chain can be removed intact as explained & shown in the following links. I just did it. Not difficult & it worked great! Very glad the procedure was shared!! http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/74972-chain-replacent-intact-removal-and-installation/ http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/topic/12-chain-sprocket-replacement/#entry13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer BusyLittleShop Posted October 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted October 6, 2013 As Rob stated clips may jettison but the link will hold because it is pressed on... a little dab of FIPG or Honda Bond will help the clip stay on the chain... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keny Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 On my old -87 VFR750F I always had a clip style chain look, as on my wifes bike also (Suzuki), but on my 800 VFR I have a rivet style look. I think the main problem whit a clip style look is when the bike it used at higher speed, as then the clip might open from G-forces and wear. Also there is poor an good clips. So if you ride whit limits of the road speeds, or just above, a good clip can be safe, but for fast blasting (+200km/h) a rivet look is perfered. Always put in a new clip lock if chain is off whit a clip style chain look is a piece of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFR4Lee Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I'd really like to go with a clip chain just so I can take the chain off and be able to clean it without getting crap all over my bike. But, crap gets all over the bike, at least the underside, every time I ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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