Chain Master link.

[BillyR]

While getting ready for our ride this weekend I was mentioning that I was about due to change my chain and sprokets out. A friend of mine who has a ZRX showed me a master link that was a screw-on compression type. Try as I might I have been unable to find this master link anywhere. He told me he got it from someone that sold them on the ZRX forums,. It is made by RK and I have looked on their website and found only the clip style link and the rviot . The way the screw type works the link has extended threaded studs and it compressed onto the chain giving you the endless chain. After you have intalled it you simply break off the extended studs. It is supposed to secure it as well as riviting does.

Has anyone here seen this master link and if so where and who supplys them?

[HapCall]

It's for EK chains, not RK. Here is the thread where a guy reviews the link and chain:

http://www.zrxoa.org/forums/showthre...W-for-brethren

Hap

[Fid_Hawser]

The site I visited said it's for off-road use only.

http://www.motorcycle-atv-chains.com.../product/mstr2

[ZRX4ME]

Billy--do yourself a favor and buy his tool: http://www.indysuperbike.com/custome...t=25791&page=1

I use D.I.D. chains exclusively on my ZRX (brand that came on the bike) and the bikes I service. This tool(I have 2 of them) makes separating and connecting the chain a 10-minute deal at most(not including the sprocket work).
The D.I.D ZVM chains use a hollow pin end master link, and this tool will do a factory-perfect job of pressing on the side link to the proper dimension and peining the pin ends.
I do use a pneumatic cutter to cut the chain, but the tool will do the same thing without destroying side plates if you need to re-use the chain. The pins are available separately if one should break.
Terry

[BillyR]

Yep Terry slowly but surely I am adding more specialty tools. I have a friend running the screw type master link on his ZRX and so far he has had no problems. I got good chain life out of the OEM chain (30k miles) so I figure with the next chain I should get about 25k or more. I don't ride as agressively as some of my riding buddies so my tire life and chain life are usually greater than theirs. Hope everyone has a safe and long riding season. Keep the shiney side up!

[ZRX4ME]

Billy, like having a tire machine and balancer, having good chain tools will re-acquaint with friends you never knew you had...
Also, it isnt so much the aggressive riding that does chains in, it's the high torque of the ZRXs, Bandit 1200s, etc. Also, 500+ miles in monsoon-type rainstorms puts the hurt on them too. Personal experience talking.
Be sure to check the rear hub dampers--they get loose and introduce the sensation of
a loose chain. Replaced them on my ZRX once--400 miles after I had the rear wheel off, and it was OK then.
The decal on my chainguard even estimates the expected chain life--9400 to 28000 miles.
I lube mine when warm, and use Bel-Ray Superclean.

[HapCall]

I've got 32K out of the first chain on my ZRX, and I'm approaching 30K now on the second chain. I'm amazed at how long they last considering the GS1100s' get about 10K if I'm lucky. I've made sure alignment is spot on and everything but they just don't last as long and I haven't figured out why, which is driving me nuts.

As ZRX4ME said, the best way is to get the tool he recommended. There is another model, the KM500, which is also made by D.I.D. and is actually a professional grade chain breaker/riveter but costs considerably more. I've found the "C" shaped tools are generally not as strong.

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT get a cheap one from Harbor Freight or a no-name off of ebay. I've made that mistake, not once, but twice, and it is not worth the effort and you will end up spending more than if you just went ahead and bought a quality tool.

Hap

[ZRX4ME]

Hap, I have 2 KM500s, and there is no difference between the 500, the 500E, and the 500R except how it's packaged. Been through this early on as the pin broke on the 1st one, Kowa Sekei supplies the tool to DID and Kowa is also the tool supplier for the Mazdas I service every day. I broke a pin, and since they were not available separately at the time, Kowa sent me a new tool complete FREE. I had a friend with a machine shop make 3 more pins, worked great, then Kowa now makes the pins available.
I use the pins only after grinding the peined pin ends with a die-grinder if I am to reuse the chain with a new master link, but more often than not I just cut through the side plates with a pneumatic cutoff wheel and pitch the chain. The other end of the pin is used to press on the side plate through a channeled adapter, the adapter is removed and the tool pin end then peins the link pin ends.
This tool IS heavy duty. I am also looking at the new Motion Pro chain tool, which should pein the solid end pins.

[BillyR]

Terry I got 32k miles out of this OEM chain. And hope to get that our of the new one. It is a DID and was impressed wht the fast delivery I got from the Sproket Center where I ordered it. I am planning on making an Iron Butt ride the first weekend in June. And since Tennesee is going to be the main state I ride in I will be able to hit 4 other states along the way. I am not doing this just to get the certificate , I also plan on soliciting donations to a local charity. I have always wanted to do this and even though most of it will be on the interstate, I will still be seeing alot of country on two wheels. Will post up later about how it went and how the bike performed. Going to put the chain on later today and get the oil changed while I am at it. Hope everyone has a good weekend of riding. :}

[Fid_Hawser]

Good luck and good fun to ya, Billy.