Chain master link or riveted? and sprocket calculator

The question here is; do you go with a master link
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or a riveted type
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Personally I have a riveted style on my existing chain but will probably go with the regular master link on the new chain.

also here is a link to a sprocket/speed calculator for those who might be interested in a different ratio than stock. I am running a stock  ratio now that works great for city and some 10 hours days in the saddle. I had one tooth down on the front before and didn't like it. First gear was a joke but was nice in stop and go traffic, hardly what you ride for. The gas consumption really went up with no real benefit in performance for the street. If I was riding longer rides more often I might consider a larger sprocket on the rear.

Calculator

You may want to think twice before putting a clip-on master link on your chain.  The clip that holds the link has been known to come off even though it was installed properly.  A lot of places don't even sell them anymore (probably for safety and liability reasons.)

[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on 02 January 2011 - 01:19 PM, said:

You may want to think twice before putting a clip-on master link on your chain.  The clip that holds the link has been known to come off even though it was installed properly.  A lot of places don't even sell them anymore (probably for safety and liability reasons.)

530 chain clips are no longer available due to problems with link coming off, a friend went through half dozen clips this summer on a cross country tour, something happened toward the end of the trip and he had to keep replacing them pretty much every day, could have been trouble...

here's something to think about, found this while changing my own chain

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this was my next purchase

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Be interesting to know the exact mechanics of why clips come off.  Does the centrifugal force generated on the small radius turn at the counter shaft sprocket generate enough momentum to open up the clip?

Being interesting to see a high speed camera setup of a clip coming off.  It may be some other reason than no one has ever considered.

My guess would be vibration.... or as the chain wears and is stretched it puts undue pull pressure between each link pulling the clip from the pin on one end........

couple reasons, chain wear would be the obvious guess, things move, clip gets bounced, that's why racers do this:

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or at least some goop to keep it simple

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Rivet.  I like master links, but I too have lost my fair share.

[image: View Post]Pete McCrary, on 02 January 2011 - 03:29 PM, said:

Be interesting to know the exact mechanics of why clips come off.  Does the centrifugal force generated on the small radius turn at the counter shaft sprocket generate enough momentum to open up the clip?

Being interesting to see a high speed camera setup of a clip coming off.  It may be some other reason than no one has ever considered.


530's pressed clips do still come with several Regina Chains, they give you both type of masters.  I run rivet setup nowadays cause the clips are a lability, even glued or epoxied they can pop off, but Ive not seen a side plate move if if they do pop off. Course I normally tuck my tail under the legs and head for the house if missing. But if you dont have a rivet set up, they can be used to go get a rivet installed at the dealer.  Pressed clips require a significant amount of pressure to install,  normally a small socket and very large channel locks, rivet side plates require a press they are so tight.

I had a chain with 2.6 mm plates with an a epoxied master , it went  the life of the  chain, smaller plated chains  have more flex, the clip pop off due to the flexing.

This is a no-brainer...rivet for a robust and fail-proof installation.