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I bought this from Minispares a while back and decided I may as well use it with the new steel timing gears I recently bought (which come with a suspect looking AE chain which I am lead to believe may be of Chinese origin).

I was surprised to discover on opening the box that the IWIS chain has a split link and, also, that is is a link longer than the continuous duplex chain which came with the MS steel pulley kit.

What's the deal here, I guess I need to remove a link - do I need a special tool for this? I've done lots of cycle chains but suspect the tools will not be up to the job. Do I need to see a motor bike chappie?

Cheers

Jon

Jono, I was also supplied some chains recently that were longer than they should be (by 4 links ), however, I can't recall off hand what brand they were.

Unless you get an off-set link, you'll need to remove two links, but this is really odd. There should be 52 links in the chain. If it's too long by one link, I'm just wondering if it's a metric chain you've been supplied, on a 10 mm pitch. The originals are on 3/8" pitch.

Just checked this again last night and it is the same pitch as the continuous chain but, yes, 2 links longer

I can't understand why this should be the case but, in any event, I need to remove 2 links before I install the split link - any ideas how to do this?

Also the split link is held on by 2 small 'c' clips, one for each pin. These go on quite easily and I am not too happy about this. Do these links hold up well? I am always happier with a continuous chain (which I assumed this would be) and whilst this IWIS chain is clearly of superior quality I am now nervous to use it in case the link comes adrift in use

Jon

Before you start removing links, I would strongly suggest you contact the seller for advice.

M

mk1 wrote:Before you start removing links, I would strongly suggest you contact the seller for advice.

M

It's only a phone call and worth a try, they can only say yes or no.

If you do want to go down the path of removing the links, special tools are needed, though I doubt a Motorcyle Mechanic would have small enough chain breakers, maybe try a Bicycle Shop, but I doubt they'd be able to do it either as they run (usually) 1/2" chains and only simplex. For what one of these places would likely charge, wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a new chain.

Regarding the joining links, while they are a risk, I've never had one come apart.