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.

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

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.

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 :)

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!