Just a quick note that I did my first "riveted" master link this past weekend with a nice gold DID chain from CA Cycleworks.  I couldn't bear to buy a $100 chain tool for something that will get used maybe once every couple of years, so I tracked down and bought a very reasonably priced chain tool from Mike XS Parts (http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-tools.php?category_id=7.1) called a "Drive Chain Riveter Tool" - Part #35-0006.  This tool is priced at $20.  Great price - but does it work?

The tool comes in a plastic clamshell case with no documentation.  Its nicely made...looks and feels like a quality tool.  The back half of the tool can be removed by loosening a set screw and can be positioned into one of two positions marked "A" and "B".  The "A" position lines a hole in the back half up with the drive pin so that you can drive the rivet through for removal.  The "B" position is for riveting the new master link - no through-hole, just a shallow recess to accept the already riveted side of the master link.

The drive pin for the tool reverses, revealing a recessed cone for "mushrooming" the master link rivet to the proper shape.  The pin side slides into a deep hole in the drive screw to protect it from getting mashed when in the rivet mode.  The tool also comes with a plate that has a channel in it for pressing on the master link to the proper depth prior to riveting.

All this had to be figured out by inspection which wasn't too hard after reading a few posts on the steps necessary for doing this job - once you know the steps, it's pretty easy to figure out how to use the tool.  The one surprise was the reversible drive pin - that was not obvious and I found it almost by accident.

All and all a great new addition to my tool collection and well worth the $20 - worth more than twice that.  I wouldn't hesitate to buy other tools from Mikes XS - there are great prices on lots of very unique specialty motorcycle tools here.

I hate to say this but that looks exactly like my DiD chain tool that I spent around $80 for. 

I was in a jam though, broke my motion pro cheap thing I bought off eBay.  Needed a chain tool that night, track day was next day.  Jumped in my car and sped to Motowheels who stayed open 30min extra at least so I could get my new chain on that night. 

OH I got a fancy blue tin with my DiD, so ha!!! lol   (it is nifty though) 

+1 on the Mikesxs tool.  I found it about a year ago and did my chain.  IMHO, it is the DID tool.  And regardless, it works perfectly.  Once you figure it out...

I've needed a chain tool for some time, because I have access to one, and I didn't want to spend $100 on a tool that gets used once a year maybe.

Just bought one from the link, thanks 

This thing?



Can it be used to break chains apart?

Or I'd need a breaker for that?

+1 thanks; been looking for a decent chain tool at a decent price; it looks exactly like the did tool; looked at it and about 4 other items and just ordered.  Cant beat those prices AND! shipping was included over $50 ground for FedEx! Cant beat that !!!

Now those ring tools; would they work on the OEM shocks?  and would one for the eccentric adjuster on the rear hub???

thanks for the link 

Thanks for the link. Ordered the chain tool also. wish I had more $, a lot of good tools there. 

Quote from: Monsterlover on January 25, 2009, 07:58:41 PM
This thing?



Can it be used to break chains apart?

Or I'd need a breaker for that?

Personally, I havn't come across a situation where I needed a chain breaker.  You are supposed to grind the heads of the rivets off anyway, and then the link will just pry apart with a screwdriver.  NEVER re-use a master link.

I bought one of the honest to goodness DID $120 tools and then found the $20 version.  There is no difference between the two, except for one says "made in Japan" and the other says "made in China.

If you buy one, get a couple extra pins.  If you misalign the pin they break easily.

LA

Quote from: Monsterlover on January 25, 2009, 07:58:41 PM
This thing?



Can it be used to break chains apart?

Or I'd need a breaker for that?

I used a dremel to grind the head down on one regular rivet and this tool does a nice job of pushing the rivet out.

Damn, I wish i'd never looked in this thread

Quote from: sejman on January 23, 2009, 11:17:46 AM
Just a quick note that I did my first "riveted" master link this past weekend with a nice gold DID chain from CA Cycleworks.  I couldn't bear to buy a $100 chain tool for something that will get used maybe once every couple of years, so I tracked down and bought a very reasonably priced chain tool from Mike XS Parts (http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-tools.php?category_id=7.1) called a "Drive Chain Riveter Tool" - Part #35-0006.  This tool is priced at $20.  Great price - but does it work?

The tool comes in a plastic clamshell case with no documentation.  Its nicely made...looks and feels like a quality tool.  The back half of the tool can be removed by loosening a set screw and can be positioned into one of two positions marked "A" and "B".  The "A" position lines a hole in the back half up with the drive pin so that you can drive the rivet through for removal.  The "B" position is for riveting the new master link - no through-hole, just a shallow recess to accept the already riveted side of the master link.

The drive pin for the tool reverses, revealing a recessed cone for "mushrooming" the master link rivet to the proper shape.  The pin side slides into a deep hole in the drive screw to protect it from getting mashed when in the rivet mode.  The tool also comes with a plate that has a channel in it for pressing on the master link to the proper depth prior to riveting.

All this had to be figured out by inspection which wasn't too hard after reading a few posts on the steps necessary for doing this job - once you know the steps, it's pretty easy to figure out how to use the tool.  The one surprise was the reversible drive pin - that was not obvious and I found it almost by accident.

All and all a great new addition to my tool collection and well worth the $20 - worth more than twice that.  I wouldn't hesitate to buy other tools from Mikes XS - there are great prices on lots of very unique specialty motorcycle tools here.

Glad you were able to find something that works for you, but we were concerned about the Mikes XS website you found. Alot of the part numbers including the riveter you found have Motion Pro part numbers, but are being sold very cheaply. We notified Motion Pro and after evaluating the situation here is what they said:

Dear Candice,

Thank you for calling attention to MikesXS.net.    We reviewed the web site in detail and the products he is offering.  We cannot be absolutely sure, but we are fairly confident that none of the products on his web store are genuine Motion Pro products.  Please note that they do not ever mention the Motion Pro name and none of the products have our logo on them.  All appear to be cheap Chinese knockoffs of successful Motion Pro tools.  Our experience is that although they appear very similar on the outside, the quality of manufacturing and materials of these copycat products is inferior.   Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about this other than to try to get the word out that the copycat products are not the same quality as genuine Motion Pro products and do  carry the same warranty, back up, and customer service that Motion Pro provides with its products.

Thanks,

Kevin Veltfort
Director of Operations
Motion Pro, Inc.

In our experience, these types of copied products don't last long and usually break. We understand that the chain tool we sell is a bit expensive at $99, but we know this tool works and will last. The point of us saying all this is not to sell the tool in our catalog, but to help you all make informed decisions about what you are buying. Beware of those too good to be true prices!!

While I would very much enjoy owning several rolling tool chests full of only the very best tools that will last a lifetime, I am a HOBBYIST mechanic, not a professional running a shop.  My tool budget is limited.  I'm working on my own bike in part to save money, and not to spend that saved money on pro-grade tools I'll use 3 or 4 times in my life.  Surely we all notice the success of Harbor Freight Tools.  Is any buyer in that store thinking they're buying Snap-On grade tools?  Harbor Freight has exploited a market niche that is huge - people who need a tool for infrequent and/or light-duty use.  Mikesxs fills the same niche for the limited offerings on his site.

My Mikesxs chain tool doesn't say China on it nor Japan, nor do I care.  It has worked twice for me (I mangled a master link and had to use the tool twice on one chain) in exceptional fashion.  I'm very happy with it.

How could Mikesxs be selling Motion Pro tools at those prices? This argument is specious.  This last post is a bit too self-serving IMO.  The chain tool at Mikesxs is part no. 35-006.  When I search that part no at Motion Pro, it matches a flywheel puller.  If Mikesxs chain tool is a copy at all, it's a copy of the DID tool, not Motion Pro's.

I buy cheap tools!!! And I'm prod of it!    When my cheap tools break I know that I use it enough (or with enough force  )  that I need to fork up the clams and buy something a bit more reliable.  IMO its better than the other way round.  But to each their own.   


PS  This post made Mikesxs another 50 bucks.  Thanks for the write up.   

My coworker has this tool, and it broke on the 2nd rivet the first time he used it.  The part that touches the rivet and side plate broke.

mitt