Chain master link

OK! You have a 550. Your worried about a master link? Are you launching it at a drag strip at 7-9000 rpm's?
A new link? Use a new lock clip any time you take it apart! You have not to worry about anything! Unless your beating the hell out of it!!!

I prefer the clip style links (which I safety-wire as shown above). The problem with the rivet type , is there's no guide to determining how much to flair the rivet head - which is an issue for an O or X or W ring chain. The last time I replaced the chain on one of my bikes a clip style master was not available for the particular chain I selected so I had to go with a rivet link. I have the tool (and yes, a good one) but I still managed to destroy two master links trying to flair the rivet without destroying the (in this case) W rings. In the old days, these master links would come with a small wire gauge (looked like 1/2 of a 'figure-8' ) which laid on top of the O rings (between the link plates) so that the O rings could not be over compressed. Sadly, I haven't seen one of those gauges in years.

cb900f wrote: I prefer the clip style links (which I safety-wire as shown above). The problem with the rivet type , is there's no guide to determining how much to flair the rivet head - which is an issue for an O or X or W ring chain. The last time I replaced the chain on one of my bikes a clip style master was not available for the particular chain I selected so I had to go with a rivet link. I have the tool (and yes, a good one) but I still managed to destroy two master links trying to flair the rivet without destroying the (in this case) W rings. In the old days, these master links would come with a small wire gauge (looked like 1/2 of a 'figure-8' ) which laid on top of the O rings (between the link plates) so that the O rings could not be over compressed. Sadly, I haven't seen one of those gauges in years.

Regina and Renthal offer rivet master links with a wire gauge.

performancecycle.com/renthal-r3-3-520-o-ring-chain-rivet-link/
performancecycle.com/regina-530-ors2-rivet-master-link-black/