Staked master link for drive chain.

[slowxr]

I've been running DID chains with a staked master link. I'm interested in trying the Primary Drive chain that Rocky Mtn offers.

This doesn't come with a staked link and they don't sell them.

Where can I buy the staked link?

[xr650l bum]

I use the master and carry a spare just in case. I now people who mushroom the master link with the chain tool, which makes it "staked".

[Thumpage]

Actually, you can't buy a staked link anywhere else for the Primary Drive brand chains. I think it is best to only use a master link of the same brand as the chain whether or not it is a clipped type or staked. The reason I say this is different brands can vary slightly in the pin thickness specs and sideplate widths. You will just have to settle on a clipped master link if you want to use the Primary Drive chain.

I myself have gone to the Primary Drive gold X-ring chain on my XR650R. I only have one ride on it at this point. From past discussions it appears that as long as you periodically check the clip for wear or damage and make sure it is in good condition, you should be fine. It is also good to make sure you don't allow the chain slider to get worn too deep. The clip will start to get worn down from rubbing when the chain sits too deeply into the slider. This condition is supposed to also cause extra heat which is not good for the O/X-rings which hold the lube inside.

I think running a clipped link versus a staked link is mostly an issue with preventative maintenance making sure the clip stays intact and effective versus not worrying at all about a staked link coming loose.

[HawkGT]

Actually, you can't buy a staked link anywhere else for the Primary Drive brand chains. I think it is best to only use a master link of the same brand as the chain whether or not it is a clipped type or staked.....

What he said. ?

Master links are not universal; they are specific to each make/model chain. Some may interchange but most will be slightly different. Just use the PD clip-type master link.

FWIW, in the past I've always ponied up for really nice chains. I'm running a DID ERV3 on my XR650R now. Best chain money can buy, IMO. However, I put PD gold x-rings on both my CR250 and CR500 not long ago and have been happy with them. They're just too good a value to pass up on anything but a no expense spared competition bike. I could replace my chain and sprockets using a PD chain nearly twice for the cost of one DID ERV3 and sprockets. And I bet I'd get more than twice the run time out of a pair of PD chains vs. one top-shelf DID chain.

$0.02

[Beyond The Pale]

Get the X-ring, not the O-rind PD chain. I had an O-ring version. After a little over a year the rubber rings were shot. They were cracking and a few had broken. I was going to replace it, but I went for just one more ride. The chain broke. The fracture was at one of the piins on the side plate. Must have got a crack from the pin installation process.

RM credited the chain and now I have a X-ring PD chain. The X-ring chain appears to be a lot more heavy duty than the O-ring. Time will tell if the rings hold up better than the O-ring version. If they do not the PD chain will not be the bargain that it at first seems to be.

The PD sprockets are of surprising quality for the price that they charge.

For comparison I usually get 4 or 5 years out of a DID chain.

[Agent2]

I had the clipped / staked question as well. Went with the Primary Drive X ring, clip, countersprocket and sprocket. So far so good - no problems. Probably less than half the cost of "name brand" components. If I get a year out of them, which shouldn't be a problem, financially I will be ahead.

[slowxr]

I actually broke my DID X-Ring a couple days ago. I put 7200 desert miles on it. I guess I got lucky because it didn't break the engine case etc. It did snap off one of the bolts that held the case saver. Looks like it did it's job.

I'm thinking I'll buy another DID because I like the piece of mind of the staked link.

[XR4DEZ]

I actually broke my DID X-Ring a couple days ago. I put 7200 desert miles on it. I guess I got lucky because it didn't break the engine case etc. It did snap off one of the bolts that held the case saver. Looks like it did it's job.

I'm thinking I'll buy another DID because I like the piece of mind of the staked link.

I replace mine every 3-4K miles and it's usually ready to be tossed, the X ring is a real good chain. Look at the case saver from XR'sOnly. ? Check out the 450x forum for the ride at Superstition, put on by Johnny Airtime, and seehttps://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=577328see if you can make it.

[Doghouse_Riley]

Can you just rivet the Primary Drive master link on with a chain riveting tool?

[Thunderbug]

Staked masterlinks on motorcycles are farkin silly, just something else to trick people into service centers for something unnecessary.

There ain't a damn thing wrong with clip types.