Motorcycle Racing Forum

Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: Woofentino Pugrossi on July 11, 2006, 04:55:22 PM

Title: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: Woofentino Pugrossi on July 11, 2006, 04:55:22 PM
Well had to get a new chain and sprocket for the YZF. ORdered JT steel sprockets (streetbike. No need for aluminum ones.) and a RK XSO chain. Well got the chain in and lo and behold it came with a clip style masterlink :wtf:. Every other RK chain I've bought came with a rivet master link.  No idea why I get a clip style one.

Personally I dont like these for street. Prefer to rivet them on. Exactly how much chance is there of tossing the clip while riding on the street? How hard would it be to safety wire this? Would you even trust one on an older 750?
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: spyderchick on July 11, 2006, 05:12:58 PM
You shouldn't throw a clip just street riding. You'll be fine. If you're really paranoid you can safety wire it, but you need the really fine stuff.
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: Woofentino Pugrossi on July 11, 2006, 05:33:36 PM
Just a bit paranoid. Never had a clip style one on any of my bikes (including my old racebike).


Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: spyderchick on July 11, 2006, 06:06:39 PM
Roger's never had a clip fail in over 60,000 miles of street riding, and he'll ride "aggressively" on occasion. Just make sure the clip is on there properly and you should be good to go. Happy riding!
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: cardzilla on July 12, 2006, 06:52:08 AM
I freaking hate those clips!  I've never had one NOT pop off... but I don't ride on the street either.  I always wire mine in a figure eight pattern and leave the clip in the box.
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: Jeff on July 12, 2006, 10:02:55 AM
Use the clip.  The plate is pressed on and the clip holds the plate.  The only time I've seen a clip link fail is when the rear wheel of a bike was cocked VERY sideways.  It flexed the chain and popped the masterlink off.

Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: Woofentino Pugrossi on July 12, 2006, 10:58:04 AM
SO can you use the clip and yet still safety wire? From teh looks of the master links posts it looks like I could mushroom teh heads a bit and still not bother the clip.


Started changing it this morning at 6am (before the heat). Found out that I lost a screw in teh kickstand safety switch mount. Had to find a new one. Was a machine head with a phillips. Replaced both screws with a socket head cap screws and drilled them for safety wire. And people say Harleys vibrate bolts loose.:biggrin:
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: Jeff on July 12, 2006, 11:01:08 AM
Rob.  If installed correctly, you will not likely have a problem.  If you start trying to mushroom the ends out, or safety wire instead of the clip, or all of the other hot tips, you're inducing a variable which can cause failure.

Install it as directed...  The MFR obviously has a vested interest in ensuring you stay safe, so they will make sure the installation is as sound as possible.
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: Woofentino Pugrossi on July 12, 2006, 11:28:22 AM
Usually thats what I do Jeff. Probably just order a new rivit type later. Right now I need the bike running (main transportation due to gas)
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: spyderchick on July 12, 2006, 11:30:48 AM
Quote from: Woofentino Pugrossi on July 12, 2006, 11:28:22 AM
Usually thats what I do Jeff. Probably just order a new rivit type later. Right now I need the bike running (main transportation due to gas)

Yeah, no one wants to carpool when you have that much gas.  :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

I crack myself up!
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: DAmico on July 12, 2006, 11:31:13 AM
I used nothing but clip type master links. I have never had one fail even using cheap chains. For the past seven years I don't even use the clip, I just wrap safety wire around the posts (must use .025"). Tom Mason told me to do it once when I needed a clip and said wera endurance guys have been doing it for years.

Stop freaking and go ride!
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: Woofentino Pugrossi on July 12, 2006, 02:02:13 PM
Quote from: DAmico on July 12, 2006, 11:31:13 AM


Stop freaking and go ride!

Yeah but I want this bike to at least hit 75K miles.:biggrin: At 69,100 right now, original motor, 2nd clutch pack, 5th chain and probably around 15 sets of tires. Oh and 1 set of forks (original lower slider's chrome wore through causing a major leak at 57K) and fork seals (on the new forks).

What really bothers me is if the chain does let go and hit the case, well this bike is screwed. Probably take a while to even find a new case for it being how hard parts are to find for it.
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: Team_Serpent on July 12, 2006, 03:41:52 PM
I don't like the clip style (safety wired, siliconed or otherwise). Have lost them both on the track (cost me a national championship) and on the street (sucks being stranded). I might run it for now but I'd get a rivet style on order and replace asap.

Like you said, that sucker slaps the case and/or possibly tears something else up you're up a creek without a paddle over a $6.00 master link - just not worth the risk IMHO.
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: catman on July 20, 2006, 11:18:11 PM
I had a clip come off at speed once and the chain luckily shot straight out the back of the bike.After slowing (brakes only)down a long fast Pocono mountain ride, i realized it was good that the chain hadnt got to locking up the rear wheel by makin whoopy with the countershaft sprocket and case- very scary/no decompression braking available just then .....
Title: Re: Clip-on master link questions
Post by: tshort on July 21, 2006, 12:33:39 AM
I don't even bother with the clip. Oh wait, that's on my Road King (belt).  8)

But I did race with a clip-style master that I just used safewire on (as others have mentioned) instead of the clip.  Worked well mostly.  A dab of RTV on the wires keeps them from moving around, which seemed to make them stay on longer.  And during my nap on the ground next to my bike between races, guess what I used to eyeball??  Never had a problem  :thumb: