Master Links...

[RBX QB]

Rivet, clip or screw? What are the benefits or disadvantages of each?

[JEFF_H]

rivet- most secure but requires special tool
master- easy to put on with no tool, but not as safe
screw- bolted together to function like a rivet, but doesnt require rivet tool to install. usually costs a couple bucks extra

[clubhousemotorsports]

I always used clip type links until I bought my first ducati. twice threw them. When working at the dealer we saw it often, If I have to use a clip type now I safety wire it or epoxy the clip.

Famous last words " I have always used a clip type with no problems"  followed by the bike tossing said clip and holing the 748sp cases.

no first hand on the screw type but the idea sounds good.

[woodyracing]

yeah rivet only for me, never trusted clip links.  When I first started riding some friends helped me put a chain on but we didn't have a chain tool so we used a clip link and I rode it to the dealer and paid a couple bucks to have the rivet link thrown on.  Now I have a good chain tool.

[mxwinky]

Put it this way, at our dealership we only install rivet master links on street bikes.  We'll do a clip-type, but only if the owner requests it and signs a waiver.

[ScottRNelson]

I gave in and bought a chain tool so that I can properly install rivet master links.  Those are the only ones that I trust.

[clubhousemotorsports]

For probably the first 5 years i was at the dealership our "rivet tool" was a ballpeen hammer and an anvil. never had a problem, we upgraded when we had a parts person who made up lengths.
Parts people 

[the_Journeyman]

I had a clip on my 1985 GS1150.  It also had a 630 chain.   My M750 has clip style master as well.  I'll check the SS ~

JM

[desmoworks]

Rivet is my favorite method, but clip and safety wire has worked many times for me as well.

[TAftonomos]

I use a clip/safety wire on my 525 ktm dirtbike, so I can swap from dirt to street/tard setups easy.  It only makes ~55whp.

For a 1000cc twin, I personally wouldn't use a clip link at all.  Rivet that sucker on there.

For a rivet tool, I bought a cheapy that was linked on this board in the tech section I beleive.  $25 shipped or something like that, I've used it 3 times since I got it, works great.

[Oldfisti]

My S4R threw a chain on the dyno b/c I used a clip style link.

DON'T DO IT!

Rivet all the way.

[RBX QB]

Yeah... It's like riding gear... how much risk you willing to accept. I ordered the rivet link, and bought the necessary tools to do it myself.

A little peace of mind, right?

[corndog67]

Whenever I order a new DID chain (that's the only chain I will buy), I always order a new spare master link clip type, and make sure I get the chain with the clip type.  Then I keep the spare under the seat or in my riding toolbox.  Sometimes I will safety wire the master link clip on, buy most times I won't.  I make sure that the grooves are clean, there are no burrs anywhere to hang things up (I'm a machinist and sensitive to burrs on my parts), and make sure that clip sits in the groove really tightly, with the round end in the direction of rotation on the chain.  I haven't had a failure in years and years.  The only failures I had was when I used used master links, or wore out,  loose clips, or pointed the open end of the clip towards the front (did that once, on a KTM500MX, luckily, it didn't blow through the cases).

So far, so Good.  Knock on Wood.

[Spidey]

I use rivet masters when I can for the reasons expressed in this thread.  If I run a clip style master link (which I've done -- even on race bikes), I use RTV over the link and then replace the RTV if/when it comes off.  I use chain cleaning to check the RTV and master link.  It's a good routine for reminding yourself to check the clip.