Master Link

[Travis398]

has anyone ever had a problem running a regular master link? i noticed a lot of chains have a rivet link, wouldn't a master link be easier?

[Firehawk068]

My XJ600 Seca II has a clip type master link on the chain, and it seems to lose the clip about every 1000 miles.......
I know for a fact the last 2 times I have replaced it I made sure to install it correctly (with the split end pointing opposite the direction of chain travel) The master link has never come apart while riding, just the clip, but I wouldn't trust one on my FJ. The last time I went to CycleGear and bought all 5 clips they had left and put them in the tool kit that's with the bike just in case. I double checked to make sure the chain doesn't contact anything
Could never figure out why they end up missing.

[Smola67]

My XJ600 Seca II has a clip type master link on the chain, and it seems to lose the clip about every 1000 miles.......
I know for a fact the last 2 times I have replaced it I made sure to install it correctly (with the split end pointing opposite the direction of chain travel) The master link has never come apart while riding, just the clip, but I wouldn't trust one on my FJ. The last time I went to CycleGear and bought all 5 clips they had left and put them in the tool kit that's with the bike just in case. I double checked to make sure the chain doesn't contact anything
Could never figure out why they end up missing.

So why not twist a little safety wire on your master link and it will never pop off again and you no longer have to buy ML'S. Did to mine last time I changed chain and sprockets and never looked back. 

[FJmonkey]

5 different bikes since 86, all with clipped master links, over 10 years and 60K miles on my FJ1200 with no master link problems....Maybe I just ride like a wimp...... : . Simi Ed and San Dimas Mike can tell me if ride like I wear depends...I can take honest criticism.....I know I have Chicken strips on my Avons....But not very wide. Be gentile with me....

[Ned]

So why not twist a little safety wire on your master link and it will never pop off again and you no longer have to buy ML'S. Did to mine last time I changed chain and sprockets and never looked back. 
[/quote]
Norwegian racing twine = thin nylon tied around the clip or I always used one turn of 10amp fuse wiren tied around the outside plate in the middle. Raced, rode like an idiot, covered tens of thousands of Kms etc and in 42 years have never lost a clip .... except for one time when I put the clip on back to front and the chain ended up hanging in a tree. I'm not currently usong a master link chain but it makes life a hell of a lot easier to get the chain off for cleaning.

Ned

[oldktmdude]

  G.day Travis398, I've had the same results as FJmonkey with master links. Had eight road and nine enduro/motocross bikes since the late '70s and never had a problem due to a lost master link. These days, the removable side plate is so tight to install and remove it's very unlikely to come off in the event of a lost lock clip anyway. I'm happy to rely on the master link system on all of my bikes. Having said that, I carry a spare master link with me at all times whilst riding! Regards, Peter.