O Ring chain install ??

I was trying to install the master link last night, I cannont get it to compress enough to put the clip on, vise grips dint work, any ideas
This is a R K 530 chain, they show a tool on there site, just hate to spend $110.00 for a tool that dosent get used much

Funny you should say that. Same here, I used vice grips to compress link and then after link on they want you to force link back out against master link. But they say "DON'T USE VICE GRIPS" The VG's should work, did you use two VC's? One over each pin, that's what I did. Let us know.

I bought one of these from dennis kirk.
It's $14.99
Chain press tool:



denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Produ...54&leafCatId=&mmyId=

Be careful using vise grips to compress this link. I am a bit surprised that they sold you a C-Clip type master link at all...my local dealership won't sell the C-Clip type due to the possibility of it coming loose.
Last year I replaced my chain with a stock replacement and found that Kawasaki will NOT provide the C-Clip style master link. I ended up renting (for $10) a tool from the dealer to properly set the rivet-style link that was included with the new chain.
Yeah...I've used the C clip style in years past w/o any problems, but for a few bucks extra I found peace-of-mind utilizing the rivet style link.
Just my 2 cents...
YMMV
(Your mileage may vary...)
-Dave

Vise grips work fine. Put your new masterlink plate on, then your old masterlink plate on top of it. This builds up the thickness of the plate enough to: A-not damage your plate and B- builds the plate up so the pins do not interfere with the clamping.
Put both plates on, clamp with vise grips, then your old plate is pried off leaving the new plate fully pressed on.
For 50 yrs we have all read how dangerous these master links are as they can come off but I have never heard of it actually happening. Once the plate is clamped on, it's not going to come off. The clip is then installed for added security. The clip is just that, an added security, like the kotter pin on your axles, the plate isn't going anywhere if you clamp it on correctly.

Ron's way is the way I was taught to do it. Pretty ez and never had a failure.

I've never had any problem using the clip type either. The only way I can think it would come off is if it isn't put on all the way to begin with. I will add this though....

YOU WANT THE ROUNDED END OF THE CLIP FACING THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION!!!!!!

When the master link is on top of the sprocket, you want the round end of the clip facing toward the front.
Ride Safe

Thanks, I just went to a bike shop and purchased one of the install tools like Mario showed, cost me 17.00 but it was local,maybe tonight I will get this back on the road

My parts guy and my office I.T. guy came up with a solution, partly because my parts guy wouldn't cell me a C-link.

I borrowed the I.T. guy's big bench vise, put it under the KZ, and using the old link over the new link for protection, cranked on the vise until it was partially set. Then, using the side of vice as an anvil, set the pins properly with a ball peen hammer.

The bigger problem was removal. It took the better part of an hour and some serious body contortions to dremel the pins down enough to pop the old link.

BTW, chain break and repair tools are fine for bicycles, but in my experience, you get what you pay for with a $17.99 tool. My attempt with one was a failure damaging the new chain too much to be usable. The tool itself had to be dremelled out, so it was garbage too.

I have put on 3 chains with that tool, seems to work well so far.
I should have mentioned:
I use a box end wrench over then end of the allen wrench for extra leverage when installing the plate. It takes a little bit of muscle.....and leverage.

What a differance the right tool makes, I had the chain back together and the bike on the road in less than 30 min, I fought the damn thing for over a hour the night before

On a slightly different note although along the same lines, removing the old chain off of my Police bike was a piece of cake. Since the chain had no link (continuous), I cut it with a cutting wheel using my die grinder. Like a hot knife through butter. I expected the steel on the chain to be harder!