Master Link Question

[High-Side]

I brought my bike to a local motorcycle shop to have my clip master link replaced with a rivet master link. Since I didn't have the rivet tool or the experience, I thought I'd just bite the bullet and pay a professional to do it. My chain is a D.I.D. 520VM Gold X'ring Sealed Street/Off-Road Chain, so I didn't want to screw it up.

After getting the master link replaced I rode my bike home and put it on a lift to double check that everything was alright. That's when I noticed the master link was pressed tighter on one side of the outside and upon closer inspection, I saw that they either forgot a spacer o-ring, or it fell off when they were putting the master link together.

I called the shop up and told them what I discovered and they said they would talk to the mechanic and call me back. So far it’s been over an hour and no callback.

Is this going to be a big enough deal to push that they fix it correctly, or is it not going to really matter that much?

What would you do?

 

[f4ibri]

You paid them to do it correctly and you need to hold them to it. You need to take it back to them and have them fix it. Also I would never return to that shop. Sloppy ass work like that can get you killed!

 

[High-Side]

You paid them to do it correctly and you need to hold them to it. You need to take it back to them and have them fix it. Also I would never return to that shop. Sloppy ass work like that can get you killed!

This is the last motorcycle shop in my area - all the others have closed down in the last few years, so hopefully they will make this right.

 

[auntiebling]

if the rings between the side plate and center link thingy are missing dirt can get into the roller, and the side plate can rub on the center link. not good. it needs to be fixed one way or another

 

[High-Side]

if the rings between the side plate and center link thingy are missing dirt can get into the roller, and the side plate can rub on the center link. not good. it needs to be fixed one way or another

Plus it appears that the chain is binding a little where that link is pressed. I am going to call them back and see what they say.

 

[stan23]

If you're missing the o-ring, they need to remove the rivet master link and start over.

Also, it's very easy to 'over flange' the rivet link and create a bind. While it's not unheard of for this to happen, I don't think it affects too much.

Remember, the rivet should just flange ever so slightly.

 

[Flying Pig]

Hmm. I think I've been through the same thing. Here's my thread in case you want some reading materials, I've linked you to the post with the pic of my issue....
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96191&p=1369622#post1369622

 

[High-Side]

I just got off the phone with the shop and they said the service manager was busy - so they took my number down and said he would call back. You'd think he would have a minute to talk to me - it's been almost two hours since I called them with my compliant.

 

[stan23]

Personally, I would just take it right back there and have them fix it.

It's like a 20-minute fix to break the chain (in 2 places) and re-rivet.

 

[kgmoto]

Hope they make it right, soon. I saw an email from cycle gear, their $80 breaker was 29.99 or something.... definitely worth the buy at that price. Chain work is easy after the first one.

 

[High-Side]

Personally, I would just take it right back there and have them fix it.

It's like a 20-minute fix to break the chain (in 2 places) and re-rivet.

I got off the phone with them and they are going to order the master link for my chain and put in on next week. They said that all the o-rings were put on when it was installed, and that one must of got cut on my ride home and fell off - not bad for a three mile ride.

 

[Burning1]

I got off the phone with them and they are going to order the master link for my chain and put in on next week. They said that all the o-rings were put on when it was installed, and that one must of got cut on my ride home and fell off - not bad for a three mile ride.

Unless the o-ring was defective, it shouldn't have fallen off. Also, a missing o-ring should result in a too-loose crimp, not a too-tight crimp.

 

[High-Side]

Unless the o-ring was defective, it shouldn't have fallen off. Also, a missing o-ring should result in a too-loose crimp, not a too-tight crimp.

I told them it was too tight and kinked, but they said the chain was old, but the chain only has around 400 miles on it. I honestly feel it was not installed correctly - but they are going to fix it.

 

[High-Side]

Hmm. I think I've been through the same thing. Here's my thread in case you want some reading materials, I've linked you to the post with the pic of my issue....
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96191&p=1369622#post1369622

Thanks for the link.

After searching I stumbled across a thread where a rider really put a lot of thought and effort into installing his chain - if only my shop was as thorough.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=331112

 

[stan23]

I told them it was too tight and kinked, but they said the chain was old, but the chain only has around 400 miles on it. I honestly feel it was not installed correctly - but they are going to fix it.

If the master link they put on was too crimped, then it would not affect any other part of the chain.

Sounds like this shop doesn't know what they are doing.

On and the ADV guy is pretty much spot on. Except, you don't need to grind away part of the rivet head before breaking the chain. That and all the unnecessary measurements and weighing.

 

[High-Side]

If the master link they put on was too crimped, then it would not affect any other part of the chain.

Sounds like this shop doesn't know what they are doing. On and the ADV guy is pretty much spot on. Except, you don't need to grind away part of the rivet head before breaking the chain. That and all the unnecessary measurements and weighing.

The only part of the chain that is kinked/tight is the side of the master link that is missing the o-ring - which also appears to be pressed too tight.

 

[rob linders]

The mechanic messed up. He is telling his boss it was on there, because he double checked like he always does. The shop knows it doesn't really matter they need to make you happy. So....you get it fixed and you are happy, the mechanic keeps his job and the shop springs for a new inexpensive master link. The shop should be happy too, because they have hopefully retained a happy customer for almost no expense and it didn't come off and smack his leg or cases.

Everyone is human and makes a mistake once in awhile.

 

[stan23]

The only part of the chain that is kinked/tight is the side of the master link that is missing the o-ring - which also appears to be pressed too tight.

Exactly, which makes his argument completely invalid.

 

[High-Side]

The mechanic messed up. He is telling his boss it was on there, because he double checked like he always does. The shop knows it doesn't really matter they need to make you happy. So....you get it fixed and you are happy, the mechanic keeps his job and the shop springs for a new inexpensive master link. The shop should be happy too, because they have hopefully retained a happy customer for almost no expense and it didn't come off and smack his leg or cases.

Everyone is human and makes a mistake once in awhile.

That is why I have not mentioned any names. I have been a customer of that shop for many years and would like to continue to be one – and I will if they make this right.

 

[Z3n]

Yeah, they fucked up. Sounds like they're not handling it well, AND there is no fucking way I'd ride on a chain that's missing an o-ring. They should be handling it today. Sounds like the tech manhandled the chain, ripped the o-ring, and is now trying to cover for it. They should have had you ride it back, pulled the old masterlink, and installed a new one. It takes all of 10 minutes to do the job if you're not a moron or it's not your first time. I'm not a dealership tech, missing some of the tools that would make it easier, and installing one with a c-clamp, vice grips, and a punch would only take me 5 minutes.

Everyone makes mistakes but they're doing a shit job of handling this. Not to mention that riding around with no grease in the chain (because there's nothing to keep it in now that the oring is gone) is going to cause some serious wear on that link of the chain. I wouldn't want that on a brand new chain. Nothing they've done so far is acceptable, IMO.

In fairness, I have very high standards for my motorcycle, but I also have an aversion to replacing the cases on my motorcycle because someone can't be bothered to install a master link correctly.