Chain links
 

Hi all,

I,m about to change the chain and sprockets before a trip to france in june.
the old and new chain are both rivet types, I,ve never used a rivet link before. should I stick with it and buy a riveter or fit the spring link which I can get? chain is DID 520 VX.
any one recommend a decent riveter as there are lots out there.
ive always used spring types on my Drz's but the clips do wear with lots of muddy offroading.

Thanks

Dave

Hi Mark,

Thanks for that, so you could probably use either rivet or spring link.
but as my DID VX chain comes with only a rivet type ( with hollow pins!)
and the DID box strongly suggests you use it, I have bought a riveter from
Squaredeals UK (triumph dealer) it s a KM500 type recommended for DID hollow pins.
I'll post again and let you know how I got on, after all its not rocket science!

Thanks
Dave

The KM500 riveting tool turned up and I had a few goes on some old chain bits and links. to use it on the XT I took of the top chain guide so I could sit on a crate and do it. fitted the new link and O rings , used the tool to press on the side plate. then riveted the pins. It took a few goes and I kept taking the tool off and measuring the pin flare ( see the guide for dimensions) http://www.didchain.com/chainTools.html
I also found a few clips on U tube, this was the best
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkY3Kd8Zgz0

Eventually got there, but I think Ive pushed the side plate on too far as 2 of the O rings now bulge out the side a bit but I was happy with the way the rivet heads turned out. The link still moved freely so wasn't to bad. Took the bike for a run to stretch the new chain a bit and all was OK, no cracks in rivets and the O rings didn't look any worse.
I have now ordered another 2 rivet links and will definitely do it again to sort the O ring problem. The tool is also a cutter but will only press out pins with the heads ground off.

So overall all I found its not rocket science but you do have to buy the right tool for DID chains and be a bit careful , especially if you,re of to france shortly.
I,ll let you know if it breaks!

Dave