Chain master link

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.