New chain master link installation - Ducati.ms

jjp1000ss · Feb 12th, 2008, 12:14 pm

I just replaced the final drive components on a 03 1000ss, and installed a new Did 525 chain with rivet type master link.
No problem, until I got to the point of deforming the master link pins with the chain tool.
I'm not exactly sure how much to torque down the tool to get adequate deformation at the end of the pins. I torqued them pretty well, but there doesn't seem to be as much "mushrooming" as I thought there would be.
Since it's my first time doing this, any advice as to what the final product should look like would be appreciated.
Thanks

tnbob · Feb 13th, 2008, 8:41 pm

You should measure the pin diameter before and after. Growth should be about 0.4mm to ensure it's good. Too much and you can split it.

jack · Feb 14th, 2008, 8:51 am

You shouldn't have to "mushroom" the head too, as tnbob said. Too much might cause the link to be tight and not want to bend or cause the oil rings to bind/fail after a while. There shouldn't be a lot of side load on the plates, unless there is sprocket mis-alignment.

jbcaddy · Feb 14th, 2008, 9:20 am

another thing to check is the spacing or width of the plates. measure the plates elsewhere on the chain and make sure that the rivited plates match the same width as you do the riviting. inexpensive calipers from a place like Harbor Freight will work great to do this.

jjp1000ss · Feb 14th, 2008, 2:20 pm

Thanks guys.

tnbob,
Unfortunately I didn't measure the pin diameter prior to installation. Maybe I can still get a caliper measurement of the pin at the very base of the side plate and compare it to the end.

jack,
That was one of the things I was checking as I tightened each pin. Everything right now is still loosy goosy, I just pictured the end of the pin "rolling back" on itself a little more.

jbcaddy,
Thanks, another good thing to check.