Rivet chain install

Measure the length of one of the pins on the chain and the pins on the master link. Are they the same length ? They should be.

the pins are an interferance fit in the plates as someone else has said take a small c clamp and a 1/4 drive socket and go a bit at a time between each pin.put the socket over the pin and tighten down left right left right the plates are something new i havent seen before but they are a good idea ek must have had some problems with improper installs in the past, with those spacer plates that will be prevented.

here is another way that i never seen
www.ekchain.com/access.htm

Well-well, that's a first for me anyways... :S

Don't know about anyone else but I'd just order the C clip from Jeff @ Z1 and be done with it for that's the oddest damn thing...

Out of curiosity, who is the manufacturer of this chain?

Now that last pic of those spacers, the light has turned on. Those keep the O-RINGS from being over squished, which wold most likely tear them quickly on a fresh/ stiff chain. You should be able to get the outer link started onto the link, then add in these spacers, use a clamp as suggested, then the rivet tool, then pull those spacers back out.

Well, I have now broken two c-clamps trying to get this on. Snapped straight in the middle of the clamp. They were cheap 2" ones, so it is not too shocking. The plate is still on and making headway so I will go buy another and try again. It is a Parts Unlimited O-ring chain.

When I did my 530 conversion I used a chain breaker/rivet tool and had no issues other than shortening the chain because I had to order a longer chain due to my swingarm. My chain is a RK O-Ring and didn't come with any spacers. I just had to be careful when expanding the rivets to make sure I didn't over tighten it. If it is so tight that you are breaking C-Clamps no matter how cheap I'd say there is something wrong. In my experience I've never had one that was that hard to get together.

I'm confused.. is that rivet master link suppose to be stronger or safer than one using a clip?? I mean I've never had any problems with masters using clips on any 630 or 530 chains if properly installed.

If that master isn't suppose to do anything special I'd just buy a clipped master and the job would be done in under 5 minutes for you..

I have thought about it. Problem first and foremost is getting the part in. I plan on getting something figured out this weekend, and ordering whatever I need Tuesday if need be.

The thing I have heard or rivet vs. clip is the possibility of the clip coming off. I don't plan on doing much fast starts or high speeds so it should not be much of an issue. I just don't want to have to wait for another part if I can help it.

I have actually had the clip come off on 1 occasion on another bike I had and luckily I noticed the vibration and got the bike stopped before the link came out completely. With the rivet type once the rivets are flared out properly the only way it will come out is if you grind the ends of the pins down use a chain breaker since they are interference fit. I've used nothing but the rivet type after my problem with losing the link. That's why my 530 conversion was one of the first thing I did to my current bike when I saw that the PO added a short section of chain with two clip style links to lengthen the chain.

I agree with that had I know that's what I was getting I'd have made sure to have them get me one with a regular master.
I was thinking to I never had any troubles with a regular master.

clip links can lose tension and they can fall off to get around that little problem i clean the side plate really well then put an oil resistant blob of silicon over to keep it in place