DID Chain brake/rivet tool

[gumby302ho]

 I picked up the tool from RPM last season and just dropped to a 39 tooth rear sprocket so I had to take out a couple links, previous owner had 16/44 setup when I first got the bike and I have already changed to an 18 tooth drive.( 16/44 was like warp 9 on takeoff ) it gave me tunnel vision at first as I have never owned a street bike before like the FJ. The tool work great, pushed the pins out with ease now to my concern. I am not sure if I needed a master link, I just used this great tool to put the chain back together and riveted the ends that were pushed out, it all looks good but then I read that it says to use a master, do I really need a master, I thought the tool did the whole job not needing a master link(clipless type), any thoughts? The link looks great, really solid but still flexible.

[giantkiller]

Yes you need a master for your chain.But it is a rivet master. It has extra meat so you can push it out with the tool. Have to make sure you don't over tighten the master. Or you will crush the orings. And have early failure.

[FJmonkey]

+1 on what Dan said. Any time you have a rivet chain apart, like removing a few links, use a new master. To push a pin out i recommend grinding the head off the pin first. This greatly reduces the stress on the tool, extending tool life. Find the flare diameter spec for your specific master link. See link below for example. Page 3, chart in red text, diagram to its left.
http://www.pinkmotors.hu/did/arlista/lancszerelo_szerszam.pdf

To measure I use a digital caliper from HF like this one.
http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-digital-caliper-47257.html

[aviationfred]

Alot of your higher end quality chains that come with a rivet style master link, also come with a set of spacers that are designed to be installed prior to riveting and removed after the rivet pins are flared.

The M shaped pieces in the photo.

Fred

[racerrad8]

The links are not designed to be removed and then re-swedged. As already mentioned, a new rivet style master link is what you should install. Buy the rivet for your brand of chain; DID, EK...

You don't have anything to worry about. Just press out the one you re-swedged, replace it with the new master and you are all sorted.

Randy - RPM

[gumby302ho]

 Thank you gentlemen for the heads up, I am still learning about the world of street bikes! Now the bike is down until I can find one of those special rivet style links.