I have fitted literally 100's of chains to motorcycles. Add heaps of joining links and I thought I knew how they worked. (Note; this is NOT about riveted joining links). Now I have been told, by a chain seller, that I did not know how they work.
Let me explain:
We got new sprockets for my sons MX bike (KTM85sx), and as I always do I also got a new chain (428 non-O ring). In the past I have preferred Regina, but now tricky to get. So we have used DID or RK. I did not ask what chain the supplier had and just ordered one. I got a CZ. I cut the chain to size, fitted on the bike and inserted the joining link. Then I pushed on the joining plate, but it would not go past the groove for the locking clip. The only way I could get it on was by using the vice. But clearly that would not work as the chain needed to be in place. And what about taking the chain off??? I had also ordered 2 spare links, and they were exactly the same. Never has this happened before. With all the new non-O ring links I have fitted the joining plate slides on nicely.
Faulty joining links I concluded. Apparently not so... Here the suppliers email to me:
"Hi Pete
The chain joining plate must be an interference to the joining pin, this is a must as the joining link is the weakest part of the chain. If this was an easy or slipped the link plate would move coursing the link plate pin bore to elongate, if this was to happen it could cause the chain to break. A good chain manufacture makes the pin to plate fit a tight as possible. With a good made/brand chain you must fit a new joining link with pliers or vice grips. We have installing a lot of CZ chains here and this normal practise. We have sold thousands of CZ chain to NZ/OZ and have never had on problem to date
Have a look at the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw0udWDBem4
Hope this helps, if you are still not happy let us know
Cheers"
But that is a O-ring chain. Not a MX 428 non-O ring chain!
Comments please!
Bookmarks