Chain cleaning/replacing

[tsmall]

I found out after about three beers that I did not have a master link on my stock chain. A quick search of this site showed they don't have one. To remover the chain, you have to have a chain breaker. I actually found my old one from my dirt bike days so I proceeded to pop the link to separate the chain for a good soaking and cleaning. My dealer was real cool in looking at the popped 520 link I had with me and told me the I'd need an O ring master link. I didn’t know there was a difference. I'm a drive shaft kind of guy for the last 10-15 years so these damn chains are making me kinda crazy. But after all that, the chain is on with the O ring master link. If you plan on taking you chain off, plan on getting a link breaker. Trust me, they’re cheap or I wouldn’t have been able to afford one back in the day! And get the correct master link. And make damn sure that the master link goes together before trying to do it on the chain and you figure a way to hold the locking clip and still push the O rings into the link all at the same time. I used a small set of channel locks and tapped the clip on with a small screwdriver. I needed my extra hands to hold the clip together while I started the clip. Pics to follow tomorrow. Don’t get frustrated. It can be done! It's time for a beer!