Question on EK 525 chain installation on a F700GS

Hello all, need some advice on a new chain install. It's been several years since my last chain drive MC and it seems the last chain install I needed to use my Motion Pro chain riveter to install the master link. I purchased from the dealer an EK chain that comes with two nuts that thread on the master link posts that seems to be used to seat the outside plate, and at some point when set, the posts get broken off and discarded. No mention of riveting or dimpling the links. Any direction would be appreciated as I would hate to damage the master link by trying to rivet the ends if not needed....

Thanks in advance......

FYI, I went to the web site for EK at www.ekchain.jp and found my answer. Apparently this is a new method (at least to me) for installing the chain without the need for a chain riveting tool. So, I'll learn something and see how well it works out. Looks like the nut mushrooms the end of the link as it is tightening up so no additional riveting is necessary.....

Not familiar with that so I went a lookin'.
It's a real interesting concept cuz in order to a "loop" on my F800GS, I would have to remove the swing-arm or spin a rivet in place- old school.
Maybe this will help-
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?p=796042
Let us know how it works out.
OM

Omega Man said:

Not familiar with that so I went a lookin'.
It's a real interesting concept cuz in order to a "loop" on my F800GS, I would have to remove the swing-arm or spin a rivet in place- old school.
Maybe this will help-
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?p=796042
Let us know how it works out.
OM

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I've got the new chain cut down and waiting now for a front sprocket to arrive. Mounted the new rear sprocket last night and starting to get anxious to get back on the road. Waiting for parts delivery since Thursday, so I'll be glad to get the garage cleaned back up.....I'll let you know how the link works out.....

Chain Installed

Here's some pic's of the screw-on chain link that came with my recent new EK Chain...
Here are what the tabs of the chain look like before putting on the nuts.


This pic is of the nuts fully tightened. Notice the closed in nut. Previous pictures showed an open ended nut, but I think they went to the closed end nut to error proof how tight you make the nuts so that you don't over tighten and kink the link.


Once fully tightened, back off about a quarter inch, and then snap off with a pliers.


So, bottom line, very easy to attach the master link and as mentioned on another forum, it is rated at 95% of strength of a full rivet process, so for my style of riding, very appropriate. I'm good to go another (hopefully) 20x miles if my OEM chain is any indication.

Very nice, thanks for taking the time to post and 'splain how the links work.
I'm working on an index for this forum and I will be sure to include this thread
OM

BTW, this looks so much easier than pulling the swing arm after a bench pein.

very nice new method

I definitely will look at this when the time comes.... sold all my chain and spoke tool in the 80's but need them again with F800GSA.

Could you please follow up on your experience with the EK chain?

weschmann said:

Hello all, need some advice on a new chain install. It's been several years since my last chain drive MC and it seems the last chain install I needed to use my Motion Pro chain riveter to install the master link. I purchased from the dealer an EK chain that comes with two nuts that thread on the master link posts that seems to be used to seat the outside plate, and at some point when set, the posts get broken off and discarded. ....
Thanks in advance......

Click to expand...

Could you please follow up on how the master link held up? Any issues?

We use these on our two F650GSs. Over 200,000 kms without an issue. I have a chain tool but these screw type master links are so easy and foolproof that I have abandoned riveting.

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

RadioFlyer said:

We use these on our two F650GSs. Over 200,000 kms without an issue. I have a chain tool but these screw type master links are so easy and foolproof that I have abandoned riveting.

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Good to hear
OM

These worked well on a VSTROm 1000 for me, my Aussie Mate rode it to accompany me to Dust to Dawson and Prudhoe Bay in 2019 no problems over the 10,000 mile trip. We carried a spare but didn't have to use it.

This is one of those almost invisible rare breaks through in mechanical technology that has been a long time coming. The stupid clip style master links were invented for industrial machinery in the late 19th or early 20th century. Using a tool to mash the ends of the link pins came next and was a welcome improvement in reliability. This latest design should sell a lot of that brand chain, or any other brand that licenses the patent.