Drive chain split link joint.

Motorcycling
1

O.k., it’s time for a new chain and sprockets on the Aprilia Trail. Being a lazy old geezer now, I’ve a choice. Pay the dealer or DIY. I don’t mind the DIY but, never having come across a decent tool I can afford, I hate chain riveting.

So: Wemoto offer a half decent chain with a split link joint.

Now the Aprilia Trail is never going to set the world on fire with 50 bhp at the crank (probably around the mid 40’s at the sprocket) so the chain aint working too hard for a living.

Any reason I shouldn’t take the lazy way out and use a split jointing link?

2

Once a bodger always a bodger :slight_smile:

3

Trackday Junkie

Any chance you could think about being helpful instead of giving uninformed, unconstructive criticism one day?

4

I don’t see a problem with it, TBH
You’ll hear all sorts of talk about how it’s unsafe, but I don’t know of anyone who has had a spring clip link fail (whereas I’ve seen lots of badly rivetted soft links break)
There’s bugger-all sideways force acting against the sideplate, and they are usually a press-fit anyway
I used a clip link on a VFR750 for a few thousand miles because I couldn’t get a replacement rivet link for the Regina chain I had at the time
As long as you replace the spring clip whenever it’s removed, no problem.
Might also be worth sticking a dab of silicone on it, too, to make sure it stays in place and for peace of mind.

5

A few years back, I had one fail on my VF500. This was on a correctly fitted new chain. I wouldn’t use one again.

6

Run a split link on my ZZR1100 & Thunderace for yonks, never failed.

You need to make sure the clip is installed well, it’s quiet easy to have one end of the clip not sitting in it’s recess.

7

Thanks guys,

Well, to those that were helpful at least.

Gurninman : That was my thinking. chazhead : You’ve confirmed it.

“Back in the day” I can remember sorting out a spare split link for Dave Degens at an open practice at Brands for one of his 700cc+ Tritons. (You can’t pack everything.) Now he was one quick bloke and I’m sure his Triumph units put out a tad more than 45bhp.

Think I’ll buy a spare link though. That way I can almost guarantee I’ll never need it. (Sods Law, chapter 2.)