Help with 530 chain needed

[surfer]

Hello there,

Can anyone help me please with a chain link joiner (or what ever the thingy-ma-jig is called) for a 530 chain. I am on the North Shore in Birkdale.

I need to fit a chain to my bike, the only way it will go on is if the joining link is cut, the chain is threaded around the front and rear sprockets, and a new link riveted in place.

My plan B is to take the bike into Cycletreads on a trailer (which I don't have) and get them to do it.

Or plan C buy a chain joiner but at nearly $300 for a one off use too much dosh me thinks, although there is a cheap Chinese version at half the price but I have heard that for a heavier chain it ain't much use (comments about experience of the cheaper joiner would be useful to read).

So my preferred option is plan A, can anyone help?

Cheers

[sosman]

3rd option would be Vicegrips to push joiner/plate on,make sure the vice grips r on tight as possible,the plate wont be on properly but when ya start wacking the vice grips the tention will help the plate slide over pins.so when its on you'll need two hammers,Put one hammer behind the pin yr gonna wack & make sure its all done while joiner is on the rear sprocket[helps keep chain from moving around] & two try to hit the pin on the edges to splay the pin out so no chance of plate comming off....or go to cycletreads

[bungbung]

As Sosman says, two hammers. You really need three hands, so see if you can get someone to help out. A big punch ground to a ball shape can help to splay the pin.

[Coldrider]

As Sosman says, two hammers. You really need three hands, so see if you can get someone to help out. A big punch ground to a ball shape can help to splay the pin.

Yes, you need to splay the pin without crushing the rubber rings, and make sure there is plenty of lube on the rivet link pins and 'O' or 'X' rings.
I used a wee G clamp to drive the side plate on the rivet link.
Make a packer to slide up betwen the rollers so the side plate does not get too compressed.

[Bonez]

You can get joining links that aren't riveted. There's a clip type and screw type available.

[surfer]

Cheers everyone for your help. I had heard of the two hammer job but wasn't that keen on it; I'll give it a go and see how I get on.

You can get joining links that aren't riveted. There's a clip type and screw type available.

Wow, even for a 530 chain? I'll look into that.

[rogson]

You can get joining links that aren't riveted. There's a clip type and screw type available.

I've bought 2 530 O-ring chains in the last 6 months from two different suppliers and I couldn't get a clip link for either of them. In both cases I put the chain on including pressing the riveted link on and rode the bike (sedately) back to the shop I bought the chain from to get the riveted link expanded using their tool (no charge in either case).

Seems the manufacturers have decided (for liability reasons?) not to offer the larger size chains with clip links. Personally, I've never seen/heard of a clip link failing.

[T.W.R]

530 clip type joiner links are easily got cost between $8 - $15 depending on where you shop.

Buy a couple & keep one spare

Much easier to live with than a riveted joiner link, firstly the chain can be removed completely for proper cleaning without having to strip the rear end of the bike, fitted properly the joiner doesn't crush o-rings (which does happen more often than not with rivet type joiners, usually proved by the 1st appearance of a tight spot right at the joiner).

Clips have to be seated properly though and care has to be taken to insure that they snick into their seats properly on the pins.

Never had one or have seen one let go on any of the bikes I've owned but have seen riveted chains break on mates bikes, and have seen bikes come into work with riveted chains that have spat the dummy too

though you can buy chain riveting tool kits starting at around $80

[Squiggles]

Clip types are fine for smaller bikes, i wouldnt put one on anything bigger than a 250. Rivet it yourself or drop by cycletreads and get it done

[surfer]

I've bought 2 530 O-ring chains in the last 6 months from two different suppliers and I couldn't get a clip link for either of them...Seems the manufacturers have decided (for liability reasons?) not to offer the larger size chains with clip links. Personally, I've never seen/heard of a clip link failing.

530 clip type joiner links are easily got cost between $8 - $15 depending on where you shop...though you can buy chain riveting tool kits starting at around $80

A bit of conflicting advice here concerning availability of links. If I can get a clip link, where can I definitely get one from please?

Also TWR you mention $80 for a riveting kit; will this cope with a bigger chain?

Cheers for your help

[T.W.R]

A bit of conflicting advice here concerning availability of links. If I can get a clip link, where can I definitely get one from please?

Also TWR you mention $80 for a riveting kit; will this cope with a bigger chain?

Cheers for your help

Who is your closet Bike shop?? If you go in and ask for one specifically they'll get it in for you. Depends on what brand of chain you have as to who'll they'll source a link from, whoever supplies that brand of chain, whether it be Northern Accessories, White's Wholesalers, Darbi Accessories etc. A parts person at a local shop always swore black & blue that they weren't available until the day I walked in with one I'd got from the next dealership. And now being in the scene it's interesting to exactly what can be sourced without effort.

Yeah the $80 riveting kit is a lower quality unit (EMGO brand) but it does the job and does cope handling 530 gauge drive chains and is a real wee weapon for doing hyvo cam chains

[Bonez]

Clip types are fine for smaller bikes, i wouldnt put one on anything bigger than a 250. Rivet it yourself or drop by cycletreads and get it done

Been using clip types on 550cc plus for years. 20,000 + kms on "standard", ie non-o'ring chains. 40,000 kms on a 530 o'ring chain.

Can't beat shaft drives though.

This'll give you an idea of what's available-
http://www.solomotoparts.com/catalog...p-1-c-540.html

Any decent, or half decent, or back yard m/c shop should be able to get them in.

[surfer]

Cheers for the info T.W.R. and Bonez much appreciated.

[Henk]

Rivet links are a pain in the arse to fit but I have had clip links fail. Admittedly on dirt bikes and thankfully in the garage where you can hear something go ping when you wheel the bike backwards. The clips won't wear as much on a road bike but I'm a bit paranoid about it now.

[homer]

Clip types are fine for smaller bikes, i wouldnt put one on anything bigger than a 250. Rivet it yourself or drop by cycletreads and get it done

I agree with you there
ive seen a lot of chain links where the joiner is about half worn thru and the chain its self isnt bad
maybe the joiners are weaker
go for a rivet joiner if any