Drive Chain Master Link /Spring Clip

Just had to reply.

Read the posts regarding the master clip.

Not only is the design flawed and I can prove it but also the material spec of most of the ones on the market
is not good.

I am not self righteous but when I get comments such as "so you know better than the manufacturers" then it is time
to make stand. On this point, the clip, I am correct and just following the lead of Renold and iwis who have been making
chain from the 1870s with Renold and 1915 with iwis. It did take iwis until the 90s to realise the clip was wrong and copy
the Renold design, on the advise of my father who was a Renold tech guy.

By the way I am 63 and my father 89 so we have both been round the block a few times.

My point was simple, I will glady advise on chain and with OZ and USA relying heavily on asa and Jap chains, which dont work
on a lot of old Brit bikes because of width issues it is needed and usually very well recieved. Brit bikes use 10B-1 not asa50
or 530, however the range of 10B-1 available in OZ and USA is not only small but of low quality. Fine for industry but not so
good on bikes.

We are lucky in UK as there are actually 2 of us selling for classic bikes, Jane at Sprockets Unlimited and me. Both sell iwis and
Regina along with other lines. Look at the web sites for us and try to find a comparable service. In the USA just talk to Bill
at TT Race Engines.

I repeat I did not throw my rattle out of the pram but I will not get into long discussions with people over such issues.

While on the subject the only reason I approached alton was that I have been replacing chains. Now I do not have a classic bike
just a Bandit 1200 (127BHP) because I have bad knees, but I do get a great deal of feedback at the many shows I attend and
at the lectures I give. I have sent replacements even to OZ and from the feedback offered a better product, 4-5 months
down the line and no contact. Bikes are my hobby, race engine cam chains are my main business and I will happily keep and
eye open for chain problems.

Andy

PS Pay the airfare and I will gladly come across both bits of water and give clubs a talk. Those with insomnia might finr it a cure

Ludwig

I have no idea mate.

It might just be a question of bigger looks better, didnt work for 630 chain.

Given the choice I will go with the design invented by Hans Renold and copied by
most reputable chain makers.

Andy

I have no objection to my authority being brought into question but on this issue
I will not be moved (and I am a big guy)

I will certainly back Andy on the master link clip. I found long ago the lightweight clip was the only clip I could count on to be there on my roadracer.
I always figured it was due to the weight difference affecting the centrifugal force on the small countershaft sprockets I ran and maybe that was part of it.
Some of the racers would resort to "Gorilla snot" on the clip to keep it from moving around. I found nothing was needed when using the right clip. Jim

Andy,
Sent an email requesting info on a chain for my bike and hadn't received an answer...I thought maybe you might see this post...Thanks, Bill

Dave Degans, famous Triton builder and endurance racer, told me pretty much the same thing that Andy is saying here a few years ago when I rode for him.
Not many folk have more real world experience in this area than he!
Rgds,
FE.

Anyone have luck securing the open end of the 'controvesial' spring clip with a dab of silicone? Seems kinda ghetto. I found this lock wiring pic ,but my X-ring setup doesn't accommodate clip and rivet link.

Snorton74,

that picture makes me want to do the same for my chain

how do you suppose the two displayed ends of secured, are they spot welded in the link?

or are you suggesting that just some silicone holds them in place?

can't you just do the normal safety wire twist thing and bend it backwards instead?

The silicone idea was instead of safety wiring.? I guess you just silicone the open end to keep it from sliding off.? The safety wiring in the pic would work for me if I could use both links. I haven't even tried to safety wire mine yet and wouldn't even have thought of it, if it wasn't for this thread. Crowd sourcing ideas....

I would put the clip side on the inboard side of the Commando as the chain runs very close to the chain guard on that side that is pictured.
I have had scrub marks on a brand new stainless chain guard Its something to lookout for just the same. I like the thread, lots of good info.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

If you all used the correct chain, that did not rub the guards or cases for tens of years, there would
not be a problem.

Andy