Comments on: Can someone help me out with a rivet type master link on a cycle chain?

By: Dan H

Dan H — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:11:25 +0000

If you are riding a 100cc dirtbike, go ahead and use the punch and hammer method. You will need something to back up the chain so you get a good crimp around the post. You will also need to make sure the cover plate is seated correctly before you crimp the post. The tool does all of this for you.

If you are riding anything with any kind of power, buy the tool and learn how to use it. If your crimp fails, and you are lucky, you will simply end up with the chain laying on the highway. Conversely, the chain could wrap around either gear, lock up the rear wheel or lock up your engine causing you to crash or just detroying your engine cases.

By: Vincent C

Vincent C — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:42:09 +0000

Dude, spend the money on chain tool. The cheap sets do the job like the expensive ones do. Don’t go ghetto with the hammer and punch, and besides you might damage the chain or link.

By: dingram1

dingram1 — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:07:53 +0000

Go to a farm supply center and get a master link with a clip. they hold well for many applications and I used them on my other bike. I even got a machine shop here to make my sprockets.

By: Scott R

Scott R — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:13:38 +0000

Remember, IF YOUR CHAIN COMES OFF it will take our your engine cases, and maybe your leg.

That $75 dollar tool will save you thousands in
skin grafts to your leg.
Sounds like a steal.

By: maddog

maddog — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:47:36 +0000

just use a big pair of vicegrip pliers,squash the rivet down as hard as you can (within reason)that’ll hold it

By: diesel

diesel — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:53:06 +0000

Yes, you can use a hammer and center punch to remove the rivet to disassemble the chain, but you need a flat ended punch to re-crimp the rivet when you put the link back in. You will need something hard and solid like an anvil or sturdy vise to work on when you do this. You can do this with the chain for bikes, chain saws, etc. Hardest part is usually getting the chain to lay still while you work. A second person just to hold it so it doesn’t slide off the anvil helps.