Hey, figured some of you may be interested in my latest experiment.
I chose to install a screw style EK Master Link with my new EK520SRX X-Ring chain.
The chain comes coated in white goop. Do yourself a favor and wipe most of this off, it's pretty goopy and I had to use PBPlaster to wipe it off the rim, swingarm, and drive sprocket area.
If you aren't familiar with this style link, it crimps the side plate on the master link using a threaded pin, after crimping, the pin is snapped off and a small o-ring is installed on the remaining part of the pin. Total depth is about the same as a rivited link and as you'll see the link did line up perfectly.
I read a post on another board where the person had tested the link and had to take a grinder to it to remove it. I'm not sure how the actual crimp works, but I'm giving it a shot. Appearantly this has been around for over 10 years, it wasn't cheap though, and was an extra $15 or so.
So here is the install, I didn't get a good shot of the link before I greased it up.
Step 1: The link is lubed, X-rings installed, with the side plate set on the extened threaded posts.
Step 2 & 3 Install the 8mm crimping nuts.
Step 4 Tighten the nuts alternately, turning each 60 degrees before going back to the other one. Do this until the side plates contact the x-rings and are spaced to match the riveted links.
Step 5 Remove nuts and inspect sideplate to ensure it is compressed beyond the groove in the pin.
Step 6 Snap off the pins, this is done with a standard pair of pliers, and there was no bending, it Snapped right off.
Step 7 Install outer O-rings (don't know why really, but it's part of the kit) The other post I read online installed really thin nuts on the little bit of remaining thread. I chose to evaluate the link installed as per the EK instructions.
Finished, the link is actually a tiny bit wider than a factory rivetted link, not anything to be worried about.
So there you have it. I'll keep an eye on the little O-rings, and as I stated at the begining, all that white lube has flung off, and I'll be using the cans of Belray chain lube and PBJ Blue chain lube I already have. I may switch over to Maxima chain lube after they are gone.
I'm carrying the clip style master link the chain came with should I have any problems.
Time for a beverage
TW