In my opinion
If a link is soft enough to rivet its not as strong as a hardened split link
The main reason for split links giving way is old age and a worn or deformed spring clip
You are only supposed to fit them "once"
NOT re-use them, that's why they are so inexpensive
They are a "discardable" item
And they are at least as strong as as a "soft" link
I have over 50 years experience of fitting chains to motorcycles
I've never had any comeback from fitting a split link on bikes
Even on racing bikes
Outfits too, which can put enormous strain on transmissions, pulling two people and the extra weight of the chair
And I have a tendency to agree with JP
Endless chains are quicker to fit in the factory
And they provide a lucrative income for dealer networks
For the all important "service history"
Also as JP says I've seen some real nightmares with home riveters
Not to mention the extra expense when you've knackered a couple of links
Then give up and take it to the shop anyway
Whatever the case maybe, the Facts are that most chain failures (on maintained bikes) are on bikes fitted with Split links, I've never known of anyone who's chain has seperated on a Riveted link Chain, but I've heard of many who have lost the Clips and have had Engine Damage and even lost of a Limb!
Poorly fitted Soft/Rivet links are as bad as Split links IMO though.
As far as I'm concerned Split links are the easy fix for those that are happy to take the risk.
So we have Emzed and JP's opinion, but I'm sure if you ask some Top Tuners or World Champion Road racers what their choice would be I think the Argument may not be so one sided
So long as the closed end is facing the direction of travel and it's only used once I've never had bother with a split link. I used them on my ZRX1100 and my Z900s / Z1000s back in the day. I think I even used one on my Triumph Speed Triple. I have used soft links in the past, never been quite sure they weren't too tight or not tight enough, cut them out and stuck a split link in before now for peace of mind. :)
You do need to keep an eye on the tension more though, I reckon. Too slack a chain might have enough side play to stress the split link side plate keeper over time.
And on one of the Largest Chain manufacturers: the Tsubaki Chain website for the ZZR1100 Chain:
Important notes:
All chain & sprocket kits come with rivet links as no chain designed for a bike with more than 60 bhp will contain a spring link
If a 'race gearing' kit has been selected your speedo will not read accurately. We accept no liability with the use of this product
Standard tooth sizes are included in the chain and sprocket kits, except where marked Renthal Race Gearing – where the front sprocket has one tooth less, and the rear hard anodised sprocket has one tooth extra
I've heard of Men that use Condoms and they don't get their Lovers Pregnant, but I've also known some that have made them pregnant whilst taking the same precautions..
There is a point in there somewhere
I hope that made someone Smile, that is what this Thread started as...
My Z1000 H was 96 bhp and pretty much every after market chain available then (1980s) were split linked - Tsubaki included.
On pretty much every bike forum there will be a discussion in which someone will solemnly swear split links on anything bigger than a 250 are a 'bad idea' and very dangerous. I can only assume this is taken as a great truth because split links can and do fail if not fitted the right way round or of a different size to the rest of the chain, or the spring clip is used more than once. But incorrect fitment causing a dangerous situation is true of any part on a machine.
The soft link is only safer, in my view, because once fitted it can't be buggered about with by ham-fisted types. I can't find any hard empirical data on correctly fitted split links being more or less dangerous than a soft link. And that makes me smile.
Daft as it sounds busting the electrode to my colortune. spending hours looking for 1 on e-bay and the net in the end I phoned Gunson spoke to a nice lady who found the part I needed, but thay dont have a shop so she took my details and will send one in the post free of charge. Why dont other companys do this its called customer service.
Preparing for the rally to Zoetermeer in Holland. Will be spending 5 days with my special woman and the East Essex motorcycle club. Who cares about the weather
Stopping for lunch.. taking time out and chilling... Getting into BM two days in a row.. Only half an hour but tis better than a kick in the eye with a sharp stick or something or other but I deserve this half hour and the love affair with my cofffeeeeeee is making me smile..
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