Hitchcocks Forum

Hi,
Having bought a Renold chain for my Classic C5, the instructions seem to make it almost mandatory to put in a riveted link instead of the split link. Having used a split link on every bike I have owned, I wonder if this is necessary. Do you good folk always rivet the chains on your enfields?
Harryb

For a relatively low powered bike like the Enfield's even the new twin's I would be happy to use a good split link

Others may disagree Dai

Harryb wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 16, 2020 9:54 am

Hi,
Having bought a Renold chain for my Classic C5, the instructions seem to make it almost mandatory to put in a riveted link instead of the split link. Having used a split link on every bike I have owned, I wonder if this is necessary. Do you good folk always rivet the chains on your enfields?
Harryb

Basically if you have a motorcycle that will do zero to the undertakers in 2.9 seconds don't use a split link.
Otherwise use a split link as long as the clip is facing the right way.

I’ve recently fitted new sprockets and chain to my 350 Bullet. I used a split link, as always.

I then did the same for my 750 Honda, which produces almost four times the power of a standard 350 Bullet. Not surprisingly, I suppose, the chain on these bikes uses a riveted link. What did surprise me slightly is that it uses a smaller chain than the 350.

The problem with a riveted link is that it’s far more difficult to remove the chain for thorough cleaning. On the Honda it involves removing the rear left side suspension, including the swing arm.

Nah, spring link's fine.

Thanks for the advice. A Split Link it is then.

Harryb

I have a mater who has two split links on his 300bhp nitrous injected drag bike running low 9s standing quarters.

Equally, I've had twosplit links fail on a middleweight sportsbike.

As above, personally I'm happy with a split link on a bullet. At 530 pitch they are also WAY over-chained. Not happy with one on my VFR750 (which is also 530 chain but has 8 times the power output).

Mater? I wish my late Mum had owned a fast bike!

But you wrote “HE”. ....Is that why it’s called a drag bike?

I was looking at some Manx Nortons at a race meeting some years ago, they all used a spring link on their chains

We often run with a couple of split links in the chains of our RE racers, to allow for sprockets of different sizes to be swapped around quickly and we have never had a problem.