Cam chain rivet tool

[cmills83]

Can someone recommend a good cam chain rivet tool that is actually made for motorcycle cam chains and works with the XS?

I got a cheap one off ebay that claims it's for cam chains but really everything is sized for drive chains. Somehow I was able to rivet a cam chain with it last time but I wouldn't mind investing the money now and getting a good one.

 

[OHRider]

I used a center punch and a block of steel.

 

[5twins]

Is this the cheap type you got ? ....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13-PC-Cam-...800552?hash=item3b1050ca28:g:FzEAAOSwNNVbKbSj

If so, you can improve it's function by getting a better replacement rivet pin from Motion Pro .....

https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0062

I got my tool from MikesXS but would never buy it from them again, not since these much cheaper eBay ones have popped up. They're pretty much the same tool for about 1/3 the cost.

I loaned mine to the "hammer mechanic" kid down the street so he could rivet his new drive chain. Big mistake, lol. It came back to me with the rivet pin head all buggered up. But this turned out to be a blessing in disguise because that's when I discovered the Motion Pro replacement pins. The head of their pin is better shaped, a little more tapered, and it works much better.

 

[cmills83]

Yep got one of those. Thanks, I see what you mean about the shape of the pin that totally makes sense vs the flat ones in the kit.

 

[cmills83]

The first time I used the pin to break the chain and to rivet but after watching some videos yesterday it appears that tool was designed so that you only use pins to break the chain and the flat attachments to rivet. But the flat attachments are way too big and would only work with a drive chain

It looks like with that Motion Pro pin you can rivet with a pin which should be easier

 

[5twins]

I thought the tools contained a specific rivet pin, mine did. Maybe they all don't? Usually it's the fattest pin included and has a little round "bump" on the end. But like I said, the Motion Pro tip is much better shaped than the one I got in my kit. This kit does seem to include a rivet pin but you can see the bump on the tip is not as pronounced as the Motion Pro one .....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13-Versati...748050&hash=item33ed7bad2f:g:pBIAAOSw8fRbLGk1

 

[cmills83]

Ok maybe I am just being a dummy here I will double check. If not thanks for sending that over/explaining this

 

[5twins]

One of the issues with many of these kits is they come with no instructions on how to use them. Here's the Motion Pro instructions which should apply .....

https://www.motionpro.com/a/chain-breaker-and-riveting-tool-08-0058/

The rectangular flat attachments are used for pressing the chain side plate on. The solid round flat parts are back-up anvils for the chain link pins. They back up the bottom of the pin as you rivet the top. The round flat part with the small hole through it is a guide used when breaking really small chains. Their small pin and the small tool pin will fit through it. It's easy to bend or break that real small tool pin if you don't have a guide for it.

Honestly, I don't use the chain breaking part of this tool much. I usually just grind the riveted or peened pin heads off and then just tap the link out with a small punch. If I do use the breaking feature, I still grind the ends off the pins first. This greatly reduces the amount of force and strain required to push the chain pin out.

 

[MadeThatMyself]

Just FYI you can get that motion pro tip on Amazon. Just bought one (thanks for the heads up 5twins)

https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-0...otion+pro+tip&qid=1556822384&s=gateway&sr=8-5

The item is a few more bucks than from Motion Pro, but if you have a prime account the shipping is free so it ends up being cheaper if that's all you were going to buy from the motion pro site

 

[XSLeo]

Guess having one of those tools is ok. Me I just use a few basic tools I have.
When I break a chain, I use my angle grinder to grind the pins heads down flush with side plates. a pin punch to drive the pins out of the side plate. Pull link.
To install the a link in the chain I slide the side plate on, Use a large set of Vise grips, to squeeze the pins a bit to get things started. Then back up the chain then use a 16 oz ballpeen hammer to finish the pins.
The pins have a shoulder to keep the side plate from getting too tight, just peen the pins to a rounded shape.
With a bit of practice it's quick and easy.
Leo