View Full Version : Riding with chain Split-Linked
So i have fitted a new chain.... i didnt have a rivetter and planned on using the split link until i could get it to a garage to fit it properly.
i was talking to a guy who races and he reckons it will be fine on a split link, so long as i have it facing the correct way (like an arrow pointing in the direction of drive).
i dont really trust it myself...
Anybody use split links???
thanks.
Should be fine, but best to get it riveted as soon as you can.
.
Tony_BLY
29-03-06, 11:09 AM
When I had a chain fitted I used a split link, until I could get it to the nearest delaer who fitted the rivet link with which it was supplied.
I bought the Haynes manual yesterday from Halfords (okay, so I have had my SV 2 and a half years, I know that is slow off the mark :oops: ) and because I have recently had a chain snap on me (due to worn wheel bearings) I was perusing the chain-related pages. I am sure that it said that you should not use a split link, with an accompanying warning sign.
I will check it again tonight to see if my memory is accurate.
Tony
Stormspiel
29-03-06, 11:09 AM
I used to use them on My trials bike and brothers CR125 without problem. Just make sure it's the right way.
northwind
29-03-06, 11:19 AM
TBH it's one of those personal things, the real world risk is probably absolutely tiny but if you were that one poor sod that has it fall off, and you get your leg chopped in half, you'll feel like something of a d*ck.
Loads fo people ride for years on split links and have no problems at all. A lot of those will tell you that every slpit link failure is because of incorrect fitment, but I really doubt that. Certainly there's no way of knowing.
I had split pins on my old CB4SF, but some how it never seemed right on the SV. I was mainly worried about the different levels in torque.
They all had split links when i was a young 'n', never ever had a problem with a chain snapping in my life, surely most of the driving force is transferred to the outer plates of the chain link & all the spring clip does is hold them in place.
socommk23
29-03-06, 03:49 PM
split link is fine! totaly fine!
its only the side plates and rivets that are stressed longtitudinally! no reason for it to pop off sideways!
northwind
29-03-06, 04:20 PM
Not true... Every time they're stressed and unstressed the side plates stretch and compressed. If the links were exactly tight, then that would be fine, but clip links have more capacity for movement on the clip side.
I'm running with a split link just now, I too ought to buy a rivet tool but how often do you use it??? Next time I go to the bike garage I'll take along the proper link. 5 min job.
I'd say split-links are maybe more critical to rear wheel alignment for the reason Northwind states. Other than that and personal confidence in them on a large bike there is no reason not to use them short term.
I too had a chain snap when an inboard outer plate developed a fracture.
Thankfully your stock chainguard is designed to protect your leg in these instances. It got utterly mangled. The sight of any aftermarket hugger, ART stainless/carbon excepted perhaps, unnerves me now.
split link is fine! totaly fine!
its only the side plates and rivets that are stressed longtitudinally! no reason for it to pop off sideways!
Sorry, but to state that it is totally fine is not correct. If the link is fitted correctly the chances of it coming apart is slim. However the chance is always there for as long as you have that link fitted.
Fit the chain with the split link and then ride to the local bike shop and get them to fit the rivet link. Should cost around a fiver.
personally i agree with big ape on this one. get the job done properly and play safe mate.
What an Interesting discussion, I have been using nothing but the clip links for 27 years and never had a problem. Have done 60000 on the SV now without problems. Must be some sort of rule over there but I don't know of anyone here using rivet links. As a matter of fact the chains don't even come with a rivet link over here.
Use whichever you prefer but the clip links are certainly safe, Other wise the Chain companies would be getting sued by the people with failures.
I've ridden with a split link before, it was a fair few days before I got around to getting the rivet link fitted. When I finally did go and get the link changed the clip had actually already come off. (Yes I did fit it correctly). The only thing holding the chain together was the tension on the chain.
Food for thought.
Hmmm, If it was fitted correctly it wouldn't have come off. It just doesn't happen sorry. Clip links have been in use since chains were invented.
wheelnut
30-03-06, 07:57 AM
A properly fitted split link should cause no problems, but how many times have you twisted the clip when you have been fitting it, are you sure its not stretched?
Race bikes do use split links but they may change sprockets 5or 6 times during a meeting.
In my wild past I have managed to repair chain links with bits of fuse wire and cataloy. It doesnt mean it is correct :P
Use the link to ride to a shop, get them to rivet it over. A properly fitted split link is better than a badly riveted soft link.
Famous Last Words :P
Oh! dont worry about those few spare rivets, just chuck them overboard.
Irish Riveter working on the Titanic
northwind
30-03-06, 09:21 AM
Hmmm, If it was fitted correctly it wouldn't have come off. It just doesn't happen sorry. Clip links have been in use since chains were invented.
Yep, knew someone was going to say that. Speak to an engineer... It happens. As soon as you put capacity for flex into a semi-rigid metal structure you have a chance of failure.
It's not a high chance, in fact it's vanishingly small, but it does happen. But it's a very easy out to say that every split link that fails "must have been fitted wrongly"
I have always used split links and have been happy with them.
However, I have heard of instances on DRZ400's where the chain buffers are so worn the sides of it rub the side of the chain causing the link to fail.
I suppose it could happen on an SV, but the buffers would have to have seen very high miles to be as worn as a dirt bike buffer.
You can fit a rivet link with a gclamp, a 6mm nut, a heavy object and a hammer, no need for a proper tool.
amarko5
30-03-06, 01:16 PM
Hmmm, If it was fitted correctly it wouldn't have come off. It just doesn't happen sorry. Clip links have been in use since chains were invented.
Yep, knew someone was going to say that. Speak to an engineer... It happens. As soon as you put capacity for flex into a semi-rigid metal structure you have a chance of failure.
It's not a high chance, in fact it's vanishingly small, but it does happen. But it's a very easy out to say that every split link that fails "must have been fitted wrongly"
but there is nothing to say that a riveted link will be fitted correctly every time. :roll:
we use split links on every chain in our factory be it 3/8ths pitch up to 2 1/2 inch pitch and the Torque provided off some of the massive motors does not affect the links.
in all my 30 odd working years I have never come across a single failed split link :?
yes a correctly riveted link would be fine but a split link Correctly fitted is no worse :)
socommk23
30-03-06, 03:37 PM
dont want to quote any one after reading the rest of the posts on this subject!
But i must say something!
iv done over 40k on my 02 sv650...run over 8 chains on it..(ok so i dont take best care of them)..and 6 have been using these links! and i never had a single problem with them!!! not once! and none have mysteriously fallen off!
hence they are perfectly fine to use!
ps..i am an engineer!
northwind
30-03-06, 03:43 PM
but there is nothing to say that a riveted link will be fitted correctly every time. :roll:
Course not... Though if you take it to a pro there's good odds. A badly fitted rivet will be less secure than a properly fitted split, goes without saying.
northwind
30-03-06, 03:48 PM
iv done over 40k on my 02 sv650...run over 8 chains on it..(ok so i dont take best care of them)..and 6 have been using these links! and i never had a single problem with them!!! not once! and none have mysteriously fallen off!
hence they are perfectly fine to use!
So because it's never failed in 40,000 miles, it never will? You know that's not good thinking. The odds of a split link failing in any given mile are very low, on those scales your distances are trivial. But when you take it in terms of chain miles on every bike worldwide, even a tiny chance of failure becomes far more likely.
What you've basiaclly said is "I've never won the lottery jackpot, despite buying 40,000 tickets.Therefore nobody wins the lottery"
socommk23
30-03-06, 04:03 PM
iv done over 40k on my 02 sv650...run over 8 chains on it..(ok so i dont take best care of them)..and 6 have been using these links! and i never had a single problem with them!!! not once! and none have mysteriously fallen off!
hence they are perfectly fine to use!
So because it's never failed in 40,000 miles, it never will? You know that's not good thinking. The odds of a split link failing in any given mile are very low, on those scales your distances are trivial. But when you take it in terms of chain miles on every bike worldwide, even a tiny chance of failure becomes far more likely.
What you've basiaclly said is "I've never won the lottery jackpot, despite buying 40,000 tickets.Therefore nobody wins the lottery"
what i am saying is they are just as good to use as a riveted chain! everything can fail! your forks could suddenly fold under breaking! cos it never happened to you dont mean it wont!
what i got from the conversation is that in general people seem reluctant and possibly scared of using a perfectly servicable chain! just cos of how its connected!
so im saying in my experience and knowledge..they are perfectly fine to use!!!!
northwind
30-03-06, 06:06 PM
Fair enough. Myself, i think the risk is small enough to simply not worry about too... But then, getting a rivet link fitted costs me the price of a cup of coffee about every 15,000 miles at my local deal, so it's not a real problem to get it done.
Ok, maybe I'm gonna take a pounding for pointing this out but here goes.....
Isn't there twice the protection against failure with a riveted link?
A split link is held in place by one end of the link on one pin, and the other pins' security relies on it.
A riveted link could suffer one failed soft rivethead, with the other one holding it in place still, it would still be as secure as the spilt link one. :?
Blue_SV650S
30-03-06, 06:59 PM
The only real risk of using a split link is if the retaining clip comes off. Unless it is put on the wrong way round and 'picks up', there is no reason for it to do this. If you want a bit more security a tip is to run a bit of lockwire round the link thus ensuring the clip can’t open, even if it catches/brushes something. A mate of mine raced a 110hp steelie CBR6 with a splitlink and lockwire setup for 2 seasons and never had a problem.
I’ve had splitlinks on many of my (road) bikes over the years, but those in question were <50hp. Like I said, my mate used one on his racebike, so no reason it won’t be ok, personally though on something with HP I go for the rivet link as it takes the worry away. I have a proper chain tool too, so can fit it myself. That way I can make sure I am happy with the fitting before I ever straddle the saddle!!! :)
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