speedy231278 wrote:I'd say the riveter that CRM posted a pic of is as near as dammit identical as the one I was lent. Pretty costly, but damn good. As for split links, I thought they were a no-no on anything bigger than 125/250cc?

most racers use split links so they can quickly change them when changing gearing, there not so scary as people think as long as there fastnend and fitted right, lockwire helps LOTS!

Split links OK on a bike that will be getting the chain looked at regularly. not really on a road bike.

You want to fit and forget with a hard/soft link

CMSMJ1 wrote:Split links OK on a bike that will be getting the chain looked at regularly. not really on a road bike.

that'll be me then, the guys at (bruntingthorpe) BIKE found it nice when they asked if i just fitted a new chain, i said no a 520 which i have 2 of, one on one off, which get bathed in an old fashioned wax bath, and then drained on my chain measure i made on the side of the door :D

porndoguk wrote:

jo wrote:Someone at work suggested countin the links in my old chain, bringing the new one in and getting them to rivet it to the same number of links without it on the bike. It's not a split link chain. Is this a good idea? Or shall I try and borrow and riveter?

youll need to remove the swingarm then quite a task for the sake of changing a chain, exhuast off, shock off, wheel off etc,

,

That's what I thought someone would say.
So rivet it on the bike then. Please can I borrow your riveter then Paul? Will be in touch later when on PC. I'm currently pinned to the sofa with the cat on my lap!!

I've used split link for years on my Viffer, never a problem but each to their own and that debate has been done to death....

As Paul said, piece of cake, hardest job is removing the stubborn bolt on the front sprocket...

I had a chain break at the split link, actually broke the side plates, that was on an SZR with just 48hp. I wouldnt use a split link on a roadbike. I was lucky with my break the chain just laid itself in the road, but they can bunch up and wreck your cases/ foot/ swingarm/ mate following...etc.
Dave

Yep all down to personal preference really. if you have never had one let go on you yet - then why would you think otherwise, however once you have lost 2 (one on a TZR250 and one on my first CRM250) it does kind of make you stop to think if there is truth in the rumour.
I was kind of lucky. i was 2 up on the TZR doing around 70 when it went and wrapped around the swingarm / wheel and i kept it under control and came to a stop. damage was huge, replaced the wheel, swingarm and tyre as the lock up wore a huge flat spot.
on the CRM i was only up hill doing around 30 when it just shot straight out the back and stopped with no damage. both were failed split links.

Jo if you want the hammer no problem, i am back in the office tommorow and can get it boxed up for you.
weight is around 3 kilo's its quite a solid bit of kit. box around 40 x 20 x 10cm

grind off the old chain once the front sprocket bolt is loose, grind off 2 pins to flat and slip a side plate off is the easiest way, can be done with a dremel too just takes a bit longer.

the chain hammer is a work of art and takes a few go's to get used too. best advice i can give for this, push the side plates on, and the trick is to make sure the side plates are the same distance apart as all the others on the chain, so dont pinch the orings too tight before you belt it and peen it over.

speedy231278 wrote:I'd say the riveter that CRM posted a pic of is as near as dammit identical as the one I was lent. Pretty costly, but damn good. As for split links, I thought they were a no-no on anything bigger than 125/250cc?

+1
iv been told this before too.


Also my old man had a chain break and the link that hadnt been fitted properly punched a hole in the crank case!

We finally got round to tackling this job today - got sprockets off no problem, ground a link off and got it all prepared. Put new sprockets on and a bolt on the rear snapped. No-one said I needed to get new ones. So now the bike is half done and I'm really annoyed. Not only because it's fairly warm and no salt on the roads due to all the rain we had yesterday, but it's sunny, and I'm very conscious of the fact that CRM lent me his riveter back in September and he's still not got it back
Wish I knew beforehand to get new bolts. Anyway we have some coming for Tuesday but won';t be able to fit it til after Christmas now.
Annoying but looks like an easy job.
One question: Do we need to remove the wheel to get the sprocket bolts out?

Anyone reading this that hasn't done this job yet - be prepared and get the following in advance:
Chain and sprockets (obvious)
Plastic speedo drive thingy (I had a brand new spare thankfully)
New sprocket nuts and bolts for the rear.