REQUEST: How to chain drive chain - Rivet tool

[Built B16A]

im going to plan on changing my chain soon, and since i like to save money, i want to change the chain myself. i plan on getting a 520 conversion with the stock gears since im pretty happy with my performance as it is.

but what is this chain tool? how is it used? anyone have some pics, or directions on how this thing works?

[Vtec44]

Basic riveting process
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fd/Riveting.svg/500px-Riveting.svg.png (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fd/Riveting.svg/500px-Riveting.svg.png)

Chain riveting tool, basically will flatten the tip and lock it in place
http://www.nexternal.com/icycles/images/parkct5.jpg (http://www.nexternal.com/icycles/images/parkct5.jpg)

A typical chain will come with a master link, basically it's a lose link with 2 rivets for you to use the tool to loop the rest of the chain together:
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/how-to-repair-a-bicycle-3.jpg (http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/how-to-repair-a-bicycle-3.jpg)


I watched Jikser did this once. :thumb

[Built B16A]

http://www.tamparacing.com/photopost/data/500/medium/chain_breaker.jpg

i bought that off the tool guy at work today.. 15 bucks cash.. lol, i was hopeing it would press the rivets, but after reading alittle bit, looks like all it does is press the pins out.

so.. can you recommend a cheap rivet press? something that wont break the bank?

[Vtec44]

If I remember it correctly, the rivet press is the same as the revit breaker, just with a pointy pin and backing to hold the rivet while flaten the top, instead of pushing it. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with one myself.

[Built B16A]

oh ok.. i'll have to look on the MP website, and see if that pin head is interchangeable..

[boxsmiley]

you can remove the pin from the breaker you show. however, MP made the diameter of its rivet pins different (i.e. thicker) so the breaker cannot use the rivet pins as it will not pass through the hole. giggety.

i went through all of this with MP. i originally bought the MP breaker/riveter combo set. however, the breakers in that set SUCK. i broke several of the bits off right away despite doing it properly and using a dremel to grind the rivets down first. i ended up going back to del lamo and buying the breaker you posted as well.

$180 bucks worth of tools later i was ready to do some chain installs. i use the breaker to break the chain and the similar tool from the combo kit to rivet it. the rivet bit is much better made than the breaker bits in the kit, so it works out. my buddies and i have since done 4 or 5 chain installs, so i guess it was worth it.

fwiw, RK makes a chain tool as well that i have heard is a bit better.

[Built B16A]

i'll keep looking into different types of tools.. a fellow rider at work just changed his 530 stock 1K GIXER chain, and he bought this tool.. and said it worked great.. just very convinent he "forgets" it at home everyday..

anyways.. im pretty sure everyone is against "clip on" style end links right?

[boxsmiley]

i'll keep looking into different types of tools.. a fellow rider at work just changed his 530 stock 1K GIXER chain, and he bought this tool.. and said it worked great.. just very convinent he "forgets" it at home everyday..

anyways.. im pretty sure everyone is against "clip on" style end links right?

i don't run 'em on sportbikes. only dirtbikes.

[Jikser]

Use the RK chain tool. I trashed many MP POS tools.

[Dr. GoFast]

I recently did a conversion to 520 chain + sprocket with stock gearing. i also recommend the RK chain tool. it took the abuse like a champ. remember, you need a chain breaker and a chain riveter. the thing the guy sold you is just a breaker. you have the main part, but it looks like that grip moves around which isn't good. you're gonna be using a fair amount of force to get that bolt turned. you need the chain presser bit and the chain riveter bit to add to what you currently have. make sure you cut the chain at the right spot. you don't want it to be too short er else you're f'd! also, make sure that if you're gonna press and rivet the master link on the sprocket, you TIGHTEN THE CHAIN before. i made the mistake of leaving the chain loose on the sprocket and while i was rivetting it slipped off and chipped a sprocket tooth slightly. if the chain would've been tight, this wouldn't have happened. it's not a big deal, but i'm just speaking from my experience.

[boxsmiley]

you don't want it to be too short er else you're f'd!

just clarify. by fucked you mean you have to go buy two more master links. you can still fix it. it just sucks.

[Dr. GoFast]

good point. i didn't even think of that! thanks! this is great information for if this ever happens to me or anyone else. funny how sometimes we don't think of the simplest things.