revtothelimit - motorbike forum

.. On a 600cc sports bike. Would you?

Its what came with my chain for the baby Fazer.


https://www.wemoto.com/bike/yamaha/fzs/ ... heavy-duty

Back in the day my local bikes parts supplier (Troggy Dave, now retired) used to sell me a chain and sprockets, I'd take them home and fit with the split link, then ride it back and Dave would lend me the chain tool to do the soft link on the road outside the shop.

You don't get that kind of service buying online

I run them on my two H1s,they use non O ring chains. I'd rather have a rivet link on anything modern.

KungFooBob wrote: Sat May 16, 2026 8:29 pm Back in the day my local bikes parts supplier (Troggy Dave, now retired) used to sell me a chain and sprockets, I'd take them home and fit with the split link, then ride it back and Dave would lend me the chain tool to do the soft link on the road outside the shop.

You don't get that kind of service buying online

No but had it came with a rivet link i would have went up the loft for the tool. I just find it odd as you tend to see split links on 250's or less. I dont even think where i live in East Lothian has a bike shop left. Edinburgh i can only think of one, possibly two so online it is.

Always amuses me when this comes up again. There was a guy on VD who drag raced a seriously powerful kawasaki who used to respond that him and a large number of drag racers always use split links.
On a split link the pins are hard all their length, the side plate is an interference fit on the pin and has a mechanical fixing that when fitted correctly is very unlikely to come off, even then the side plate is still held by it being an interference fit.
A soft link has a soft end to the pin and relies on the person fitting it to get the rivetting exactly right, too tight and the chain will be stiff on that link, too loose and you're relying on the soft part of the pin.
Rivet links make sense in manufacturing as they're easy to fit with a press machine, quick and easy which in manufacturing is cheaper.

Only ever used split links, OK so it's only on a 650 Shadow and a 1050 speed triple, but never had any bother or failures with them.

Split link will be fine so long as it's fitted correctly, and easier to fit correctly than a rivet link.

crust wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 9:59 am There was a guy on VD who drag raced a seriously powerful kawasaki who used to respond that him and a large number of drag racers always use split links.

Was he called Alan Ward by any chance? This was his comment on a Facebook page "Never had a, problem with split links on my 200rwbhp drag bike"

Felix wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 4:51 pm

crust wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 9:59 am There was a guy on VD who drag raced a seriously powerful kawasaki who used to respond that him and a large number of drag racers always use split links.

Was he called Alan Ward by any chance? This was his comment on a Facebook page "Never had a, problem with split links on my 200rwbhp drag bike"

I would be more worried about wear rate than short term strength, if it wears at twice the rate of the others then it may be knackered before you notice a problem.
If the drag guy runs his chains for 20k before changing them I may listen to his advice.

But I know diddly about split links so I would be more likely to listen to the other posters on this thread.

Felix wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 4:51 pm

crust wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 9:59 am There was a guy on VD who drag raced a seriously powerful kawasaki who used to respond that him and a large number of drag racers always use split links.

Was he called Alan Ward by any chance? This was his comment on a Facebook page "Never had a, problem with split links on my 200rwbhp drag bike"

Can't remember his name, @weeksy who was the guy, he used to live in Ilsey I think.

crust wrote: Mon May 18, 2026 10:11 am

Felix wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 4:51 pm

crust wrote: Sun May 17, 2026 9:59 am There was a guy on VD who drag raced a seriously powerful kawasaki who used to respond that him and a large number of drag racers always use split links.

Was he called Alan Ward by any chance? This was his comment on a Facebook page "Never had a, problem with split links on my 200rwbhp drag bike"

Can't remember his name, @weeksy who was the guy, he used to live in Ilsey I think.

Maddog. But no idea what his real name was.

He fell out with me as i took too long to return a tool to him.

I keep one in my tool kit as a spare although I would never fit one as standard.

I also keep a spare link and a riveting tool (oo err missus) for longer tours

Well i ordered one anyway. Was out on Sunday for a good 100 miles riding like i stole it and its still looking fine. Its up for sale in a week or two so ill tell the new owner and hand over the rivet link with the few spares i have.

Spring clip has gone Glad i bought the rivet link now

Felix wrote: Sun May 24, 2026 8:20 pm Spring clip has gone Glad i bought the rivet link now

I always clean the plate and put a dab of silicon behind the clip. I've lost them in the past too,one notably found it's way into the rear tyre.

Skub wrote: Sun May 24, 2026 9:45 pm

Felix wrote: Sun May 24, 2026 8:20 pm Spring clip has gone Glad i bought the rivet link now

I always clean the plate and put a dab of silicon behind the clip. I've lost them in the past too,one notably found it's way into the rear tyre.

Thankfully the link plate was a tight fit as that never budged. Just as well as i had a good 70 miles to go. I was thinking the clip will be in the gunk around the drive sprocket but remember when half way home i had cleaned it all out when i last had the cover off

Back in the day we used to have a spare attached to the zipper pull on our jackets, bit difficult with one that's riveted..

The main thing is if you do use one of those soft rivet links is that you gan it on with two hammers.