New chain and a centre punch?

I've bought Tsubaki chain and sprockets and am getting my other halfs uncle to fit them. He used to be a mechanic and said they the chain can be put on with a punch rather than the proper riveter tool.

Simple question really. Is this safe, or should I look at forking out for a shop to fit it?

Cheers

As long as the rivet isn't over tightened and as long as the 'soft' rivet ends are folded over it should be fine.

But using a proper riveter will be best IMO

Originally Posted by Jay1

I've bought Tsubaki chain and sprockets and am getting my other halfs uncle to fit them. He used to be a mechanic and said they the chain can be put on with a punch rather than the proper riveter tool.

Simple question really. Is this safe, or should I look at forking out for a shop to fit it?

Cheers

All a rivet tool does is peen the edges over .. if your uncle knows what he is doing with a punch (I presume he has a flat punch) I can’t see it makes any difference!! .. the proper tool just makes it a no-brain job …

How much faith do you put in your uncle knowing what he is doing?

[Red Herring]

And make sure if he is using the punch that you use something heavy and solid behind the link he is hitting. I've seen people happily hammering away with the link on the rear sprocket only to end up with a wonky tooth (especially on an alloy sprocket!)

Originally Posted by Red Herring

And make sure if he is using the punch that you use something heavy and solid behind the link he is hitting. I've seen people happily hammering away with the link on the rear sprocket only to end up with a wonky tooth (especially on an alloy sprocket!)

This is where you have to assume his uncle is NOT a complete idiot, unlike the people you know!!!

LOL thanks for that guys. Much appreciated. That puts my mind at rest. He is pretty competent, was a qualified mechanic, and was a biker before 4 kids, lol, so I think I can trust him, just wanted to make sure that it was safe to do.

Cheers again.

[Red Herring]

I didn't know them, it was in the pits at Brands....think they were running tight on time. Having bent the tooth he ended up having to use a spare sprocket, guess what, he had to lengthen the chain again!

A ball pin hammer is your best friend.

[northwind]

2 hammers- one for an anvil, one for a... er... hammer, seems to be the way to do it with this approach. I'd mess it up, or hammer myself in the face again, so I'd sooner use the "right" tool

[yorkie_chris]

Whats best to actually get the sideplate on in the first place?