[dsn_klr650] oil leak repaired/chain replacement

[Jeff Walker]

> Now to my chain question and please forgive me if this is a stupid > question as I've been riding shaft drive sport touring bikes until > recently and haven't replaced a chain since I was a youngster. I > bought a new chain for the KLR today and remembered the replacement > process as being somewhat quick and easy. Put the bike on the center > stand, loosened the adjustments, removed the front sprocket cover and > started turning the back tire slowly while searching for the master > link. No master link on the outside of the chain, humm that's odd, > started looking on the inside of the chain. Still no master link to be > found.The new chain has a master link and all of the chains that I > replaced way back when I was riding dirt bikes and trail bikes when I > was a kid had master links..... Could this be the original chain on the > bike and did it not have a master link when originally installed ? It's > a 95' and I bought the bike used. It now has 13,000 miles on it. I > thought the chain would have been replaced before now. The sprockets > still look ok. What's up ?? Any suggestions from the wise ones on the > best way to remove the old chain ?? Am I missing something here ?? >

For some reason, the chain was replaced with another continuous chain. I have heard all the pros for continuous and supposed cons for a master link, but I still go with a master link for my bike. I have never, never had a properly installed master link fail. The master link makes for easier installation, and removal for cleaning and inspection, which should be done at regular intervals. (I seem to be removing my chain about once a year for inspection and cleaning.) So, you just need to file or grind off one of those link rivets so you can get a chain breaker on it and take that old one off. Also, with a new o-ring chain, you really should use a chain press to press the master link side plate on properly. Any other tool can damage and weaken the link. (About 10-15 bucks for the tool if I remember, fits nicely in the tool kit with my mini chain breaker.) Glad to hear you're riding a real DS bike now instead of those BMW's. Jeff