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[Ron Moorhouse]

I was told by shop mgr of Kawasaki dealer that I should break apart the chain on my new KLR and install clip type master link and keep a spare or two. Is this advisable? Do you need a press anyway to put these on. He told me that once on, to dab some silicone on the clip so it won't come off??!! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[E.L. Green]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ron Moorhouse wrote:

> > I was told by shop mgr of Kawasaki dealer that I should break apart

the chain on my new KLR and install clip type master link and keep a spare or two. Is this advisable? Do you need a press anyway to put these on. He told me that once on, to dab some silicone on the clip so it won't come off??!! Keep a spare or two, but don't break the chain until you have to, the stock rivet-type chain is stronger than a master link. One of these days when a rock manages to get between it and the sprocket, well, it ain't pretty and that's when you need the spare links. No, you don't need a press to put a clip-type master link on -- I use a large pair of pliars and a small 1/4" socket, myself. (Push side plate on finger- tight, put socket over pin on side plate, squeeze together with pliars, repeat with the other pin). Once you do this the clip will just slide right on. You can use silicon if you wish to keep the clip from flyin'. -E

[jokerloco9@aol.com]

The guy is wrong. Why would you want to break a new chain? Master link clips have a habit of coming off at the wrong time. Leave the chain alone until you need to break it. Then if you have to, get a clip type master link as a last resort. The best way is another peen-on type of link. If you have to, you can carry a spare clip type master link in case the chain breaks, and you are more likely to find tools to put chain back together than find a master ling in the field. By the way, with a whopping 38 HP, you aren't going to break the chain anytime soon. Jeff A20 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Randy Shultz]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ron Moorhouse wrote:

> > I was told by shop mgr of Kawasaki dealer that I should break apart

the chain on my new KLR and install clip type master link and keep a spare or two. Is this advisable? --- Unbelievable... Are you going to be taking your bike to him for service?

[Ronald Criswell]

I'm sold on rivet type after losing a few clips. I discovered I lost the last one after coming back from Big Bend Natl Park at night doing 80 per all the way. Never tried the silicon though. Criswell

On May 15, 2006, at 11:16 PM, jokerloco9@... wrote: > The guy is wrong. Why would you want to break a new chain? > Master link > clips have a habit of coming off at the wrong time. > > Leave the chain alone until you need to break it. Then if you > have to, get > a clip type master link as a last resort. The best way is another > peen-on > type of link. > > If you have to, you can carry a spare clip type master link in case > the > chain breaks, and you are more likely to find tools to put chain > back together > than find a master ling in the field. > > By the way, with a whopping 38 HP, you aren't going to break the chain > anytime soon. > > Jeff A20 > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/ > klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[Jeff Saline]

On Mon, 15 May 2006 20:25:16 -0700 (PDT) Ron Moorhouse writes:

> I was told by shop mgr of Kawasaki dealer that I should break apart > the chain on my new KLR and install clip type master link and keep a > spare or two. Is this advisable? Do you need a press anyway to > put these on. He told me that once on, to dab some silicone on the > clip so it won't come off??!!

<><><><><> <><><><><> Ron, I'm putting a new chain on my bike this morning. When I took the stock chain off two years ago I pulled the swing arm and removed the chain intact. To break the chain you'll need a chain breaker. I found to install a master link on my DID O-Ring chain I needed a sidelink press. I made my own and earlier this year I made another for a friend. I've posted pictures and info in the photo section. I tried the pliers method as that's what I used in the 70s. I couldn't get it to work on a new O-Ring chain as the side plates and pins are an interference fit of as best I could measure about 0.002". The side plate press makes it easy to install. I'm thinking installing a master link in a stock chain doesn't make sense unless it's an emergency. I bet nobody on this list will have a story of breaking a stock chain on a KLR 650 unless they also did a lot of other damage to the bike. And to do a repair if the chain would break I think would probably normally take a short length of chain and two master links. And then you'd need a chain breaker and a sidelink press plus the parts. My suggestion is to start researching chains now so you'll know what you want when the time comes for a replacement. Then get the chain breaker and make or buy a side link press so you'll have the tools to do the job. When you buy the chain buy 5 spare master links. They'll probably cost $5 each. I consider them cheap insurance while touring. Last year I needed a clip and it took longer to find it than to install it. Master links are not a one size fits all part. Make sure you get the correct master link for your brand and model of chain. Oh, since the chain will be new and clean I'm going to try the silicone on the master link clip trick. I've never tried it before. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

[Analog Aardvark]

I've also found master link clips missing mysteriously in middle of nowhere... like up in Labrador. Put on the spare I had and finished the trip without incident, then a few months later it went missing again. I've never actually had the chain come loose, but that's a hassle I don't need to worry about. I bought the rivet clip and borrowed a riveter. The swingarm comes off pretty easy, but why would I ever need to take the chain off anyway? I carry a spare press-on master link with the tools, but I don't think I'll ever need it. A KLR snapping a chain that isn't a million miles past dead is pretty unusual. No matter what you decide, though, there's NO reason to break a perfectly good chain. When the chain is used up, decide which kind of link you'd rather have for next time. In the meantime, clean it and lube it and leave it alone. -Luke

> I'm sold on rivet type after losing a few clips. I > discovered I lost > the last one after coming back from Big Bend Natl > Park at night doing > 80 per all the way. > Never tried the silicon though. > > Criswell

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[Bogdan Swider]

On 5/16/06 7:50 AM, "Analog Aardvark" wrote:

> I've also found master link clips missing mysteriously > in middle of nowhere... like up in Labrador.

Me too. I lost three clips. First down in Mexico. Just tiny bikes for sale near where I was. Since this was my first chain driven bike in 20 years I called Fred for advice. He said to just get any old clip and sure enough it fit but it also came off. Last time I wired the clip on. Guess I didn't do it right - wire and clip came off somewhere in New Mexico. Anyway, that was enough for me - rivet links from now on. Yeah I know many of you have had zero problems with the clip types. Bogdan

[Ron Moorhouse]

thanks for all the advice/opinions; great help as usual. Will not break chain down to put link in; will keep links, small length of chain, and silicone handy; hope to never use any of them. Bogdan Swider wrote:

On 5/16/06 7:50 AM, "Analog Aardvark" wrote: > I've also found master link clips missing mysteriously > in middle of nowhere... like up in Labrador. Me too. I lost three clips. First down in Mexico. Just tiny bikes for sale near where I was. Since this was my first chain driven bike in 20 years I called Fred for advice. He said to just get any old clip and sure enough it fit but it also came off. Last time I wired the clip on. Guess I didn't do it right - wire and clip came off somewhere in New Mexico. Anyway, that was enough for me - rivet links from now on. Yeah I know many of you have had zero problems with the clip types. Bogdan Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Member Map at: http://www.frappr.com/dsnklr650 Yahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[klr6501995]

keep your stock chain until it is worn out. a dremel tool or die grinder with a cutting wheal will cut the chain fine. I have found that pressing the master link a little bit , alternating pins helps to not bind or bend the plate/ pins. Once the plate is on and the master clip is put on (top run- closed end facing forward/ bottom run- facing to the rear) I then take a flat head screw driver and back the plate out a bit. Puts pressure against the master clip. Take a rag and wipe gently with acetone / brake cleaner or any other clean evaporating solvent and use GOOP / outdoor goop or shoe glue to hold the clip in place. Be very careful to not let your solvent get into the oring area. The GOOP works better than silicone. The GOOP dries pretty hard but not epoxy hard. But do remember that a riveted chain WILL hold up better than a master link type in rocky areas.

> On Mon, 15 May 2006 20:25:16 -0700 (PDT) Ron Moorhouse > writes: > > I was told by shop mgr of Kawasaki dealer that I should break apart > > the chain on my new KLR and install clip type master link and keep

a

> > spare or two. Is this advisable? Do you need a press anyway to > > put these on. He told me that once on, to dab some silicone on the > > clip so it won't come off??!! > <><><><><> > <><><><><> >