Riveting Master Link

[RodeoClown]

Ok, so I switched out my sprockets and putting on a new chain. I have it cut to size, master link lubed and o-rings in place and front plate on. Now I am ready to compress the rivets....

How hard do you have to crank down on this? It seems like I am making the link tighter and not really compressing the rivets. 

I have this tool:



I am putting on a driven chain 520 on a 2000 M750 if this info is needed?

Also, is the master link always slightly stiffer than all other links? This is one of the reasons I was getting a new chain. My old one that came with the bike seemed stiff at the master link?

Thanks in advance.

[RodeoClown]

Oh, and I have watched the Ducati Tech video like 5 times....

[ducpainter]

To me, it looks like that tool is made to press the side plate on.

You might have to remove the moving plate, or turn it over, to peen the rivet.

As far as the how hard to press the plate on....

use a pair of calipers and measure a factory link.

[EEL]

Usually theres two steps to riveting a link

1) Compressing the pin so that the link seats properly

2) Flaring the end of the pin out.

I cant tell 100% but because I'm not there but I think you've wrenched it down too hard. Generally links have a groove that runs around the side that you will be riveting. You only want to wrench it down so that you can see this groove if you do it too much your link will sieze like you mentioned. This is bad and can cause major issues like slippage and failure.

You should have received a kit to flare the ends. This means a pointy tip that you wrench down to widen the pin so so that its secure.

Its generally about 7 bucks for another link..Do it over and be patient.

[EEL]

Oh one more thing..master links are not supposed to be any stiffer than normal links. If you look..all links on a chain are actually riveted. If you do it right you should have plenty of play.

[RodeoClown]

Thanks folks! Glad I got an extra master link. Guess I needed to be smarter than the tool . Once I realized the pin turns around and has the flare side on it everything went a lot smoother! Ducpainter, thanks for the idea of measuring with calipers.