I cut my new chain to short and pressed one of the links back in to make it Long enough is it safe to run?

SilverSpurs
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9/29/2021 8:19am
flarider wrote:
I'd be sketchy about it

I'd double master if anything
By doing that you are doubling the chance of a failure. Bad idea.

The most reliable chains in the most demanding applications are endless with no master link.

You almost never see a rivet link let go but master clips with slip on side plates are notoriously failure prone.
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mxtech1
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9/29/2021 9:25am
By doing that you are doubling the chance of a failure. Bad idea. The most reliable chains in the most demanding applications are endless with no...
By doing that you are doubling the chance of a failure. Bad idea.

The most reliable chains in the most demanding applications are endless with no master link.

You almost never see a rivet link let go but master clips with slip on side plates are notoriously failure prone.
It's not true that running 2 connector links doubles the likelihood of a chain failure.

A 520 size chain has PLENTY of working capacity to run 2 connector links without any concern that the chain could suffer a tensile capacity related failure. This is especially true for amateur riders who aren't using all of the available engine power which causes high torque loads for the chain. It is true that a slip fit connector link can decrease the working capacity of a chain by 5 to 30% (depending on the materials and fit), but this does not directly correlate to a scenario where the chain is 2x more likely to fail.

Slip fit connector links traditionally fail towards the end of the useful life of the chain as pins and bushings wear. When the OD of the connector link starts to have significant material loss, that's when you see a tensile capacity related failure. That's why most chain manufacturers recommend replacing slip fit master links regularly throughout the life of the chain. I see LOTS of riders that use the original master link during the entire life of the chain and this is what gets alot of people in trouble and you see failures related to the connector link.

Is it the best practice to run multiple connector links in a chain? No....but I wouldn't throw away a brand new high dollar chain over it. If you buy extra connector links and replace them frequently, as the pins start to show some wear, you could absolutely run that chain for most of its useful life.
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FarleyMX25
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9/29/2021 9:27am Edited Date/Time 9/29/2021 9:28am
Please don’t put your life at risk over this and buy a new chain and cut it correctly. This sport is dangerous enough as it is to take chances like that.
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resetjet
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9/29/2021 10:04am
My question is how did you get it off without ruining or shortening the posts? I grind the posts off then use a screwdriver to pry off.
1

The Shop

9/29/2021 1:20pm
resetjet wrote:
My question is how did you get it off without ruining or shortening the posts? I grind the posts off then use a screwdriver to pry...
My question is how did you get it off without ruining or shortening the posts? I grind the posts off then use a screwdriver to pry off.
A real chain breaker tool presses out the pin so no grinding is necessary. Grinding the pins and a screw driver works too and everyone has done it but there is a better way.


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yamaha450mx
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9/29/2021 6:03pm
I ended up just getting a new chain .. my brother has a crf150f that we just ride around my parents property and the chain is pretty bad on it so I'm going to put it on there.
9/29/2021 6:56pm
I'd run 2 master links before attempting this. Your health / safety is not worth trying that. Get a 2nd master link if the cost of another chain is not a option.
1
RonSkj
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Fantasy
9/29/2021 8:06pm
Isn't that how chains are made, linking each piece to the next?. Why is it all the sudden no good to add a link? Is only a factory capable of doing it?
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1
9/29/2021 8:52pm
RonSkj wrote:
Isn't that how chains are made, linking each piece to the next?. Why is it all the sudden no good to add a link? Is only...
Isn't that how chains are made, linking each piece to the next?. Why is it all the sudden no good to add a link? Is only a factory capable of doing it?
when its pressed together at the factory, its done once. This is refitting a piece that's been pressed thru and already stressed the link once. Press it back together and you just created a weaker spot then a master link with the clip backwards IMO
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OT
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Fantasy
9/30/2021 6:43am
don't risk it man. new chain
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SilverSpurs
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9/30/2021 8:45am
By doing that you are doubling the chance of a failure. Bad idea. The most reliable chains in the most demanding applications are endless with no...
By doing that you are doubling the chance of a failure. Bad idea.

The most reliable chains in the most demanding applications are endless with no master link.

You almost never see a rivet link let go but master clips with slip on side plates are notoriously failure prone.
mxtech1 wrote:
It's not true that running 2 connector links doubles the likelihood of a chain failure. A 520 size chain has PLENTY of working capacity to run...
It's not true that running 2 connector links doubles the likelihood of a chain failure.

A 520 size chain has PLENTY of working capacity to run 2 connector links without any concern that the chain could suffer a tensile capacity related failure. This is especially true for amateur riders who aren't using all of the available engine power which causes high torque loads for the chain. It is true that a slip fit connector link can decrease the working capacity of a chain by 5 to 30% (depending on the materials and fit), but this does not directly correlate to a scenario where the chain is 2x more likely to fail.

Slip fit connector links traditionally fail towards the end of the useful life of the chain as pins and bushings wear. When the OD of the connector link starts to have significant material loss, that's when you see a tensile capacity related failure. That's why most chain manufacturers recommend replacing slip fit master links regularly throughout the life of the chain. I see LOTS of riders that use the original master link during the entire life of the chain and this is what gets alot of people in trouble and you see failures related to the connector link.

Is it the best practice to run multiple connector links in a chain? No....but I wouldn't throw away a brand new high dollar chain over it. If you buy extra connector links and replace them frequently, as the pins start to show some wear, you could absolutely run that chain for most of its useful life.
Dude, 2 clips means twice the chance of one coming off if you, say roll backwards with debris in the chain guide or mud on the sprocket cover.
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SilverSpurs
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9/30/2021 8:47am
RonSkj wrote:
Isn't that how chains are made, linking each piece to the next?. Why is it all the sudden no good to add a link? Is only...
Isn't that how chains are made, linking each piece to the next?. Why is it all the sudden no good to add a link? Is only a factory capable of doing it?
when its pressed together at the factory, its done once. This is refitting a piece that's been pressed thru and already stressed the link once. Press...
when its pressed together at the factory, its done once. This is refitting a piece that's been pressed thru and already stressed the link once. Press it back together and you just created a weaker spot then a master link with the clip backwards IMO
Wrong.

You can re-rivet part of the pin that was not originally deformed.
2
Yeti831
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9/30/2021 1:46pm
flarider wrote:
I'd be sketchy about it

I'd double master if anything
By doing that you are doubling the chance of a failure. Bad idea. The most reliable chains in the most demanding applications are endless with no...
By doing that you are doubling the chance of a failure. Bad idea.

The most reliable chains in the most demanding applications are endless with no master link.

You almost never see a rivet link let go but master clips with slip on side plates are notoriously failure prone.
Every time I’ve shortened a chain, I chop it at at the halfway point of the original master and have always added a second master.

Have NEVER experienced a chain failure.

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