Send a stranger your chain riveting tool.

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

This forum needs a thank you button. That's a brilliant idea, and works on exactly the same principal as the chain riveter tool too.

You're welcome, can be a bit fiddly and less convenient than a specific tool, but it does work.
If you can spare it and if the 'G' clamp is a smaller one, typically up to about 4", lever the swivel foot off of the screw shaft - the ball on the end will work like the ball bearing in the above scenario and is less fiddly to do.

[Red Herring]

The only problem with taking the swivel off though Sid is that it makes the task of squeezing the side plate on with the clamp very difficult. It took me ages to find a G clamp with a bolt style screw (rather than a wingnut) so that you can tap the end with a hammer and it's really easy to then swop the nut over for the ballbearing when the plate is on far enough.

The reason I described the other method was that it uses tools found in most tool boxes, rather than something specialist.

[Sid Squid]

Pay attention at the back - you can't use the clamp with the swivel removed for plate fitting, only for riveting. As you will have read above I have not mentioned fitting the plate - only riveting.

But if you're going to own motorbikes for a while - buy the proper tool, it's much easier to use.

I ended up just buying one, improvising with other tools just seems too complicated and I don't wanna mess it up.

Thanks anyway

I hate not having the right tool for the job. Buy the right tool for the job and so long as you look after it (and don't lend it out) it should be the only time you have to buy that tool.

Just don't buy cheap. The riveting head on mine fell apart after the first use (brittle fracture), even though people said it was reputable brand, it was only 35 quid or so.

[timwilky]

When using it, keep the exposed pin lengths to a minimum. You do not need to be an expert on Euler to know thin "struts" buckle.

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by Stig

I hate not having the right tool for the job. Buy the right tool for the job and so long as you look after it (and don't lend it out) it should be the only time you have to buy that tool.

This is good advice, but given the number of times I have to change a chain and that a hammer, cold chisel, molewrench and G clamp are infinitely more useful things to have in your tool box I've made my choice!

[Bibio]

Originally Posted by Stig

I hate not having the right tool for the job. Buy the right tool for the job and so long as you look after it (and don't lend it out) it should be the only time you have to buy that tool.

100% the correct answer. the other part to that is.. it makes the job easier so you are more likely to maintain your bike better.

i would say that i have every single tool to maintain my SV650. they may have cost me a lot of money but they will also save me a lot more in the years to come.

I never mind buying tools, they don't exactly have an expiry date! My stepfather has tools that belonged to my grandfather and one day those tools will pass to me (all old stuff with wooden handles and still in perfect working order, though the chisels are probably a fair bit shorter than they once were, but have been kept razor sharp). My first set of tools was a cheapy Draper set, which has almost completely been replaced now with Halfords Advanced Professional stuff, so my 4 year old son already has his first set of Draper tools waiting in the garage for when he's old enough to get them.