Split Link

Often wondered this myself, I used to race Moto-Cross, had a CR500 Honda that had brutal power delivery & nature of the racing meant a very hostile environment for the chain, but we all used split links, I've had road bikes with less power that have had riveted chains, answers on a post card please ...

 

Urban myth
As long as it’s fitted correctly it shouldn’t be a problem

 

I had a ZXR750 years ago with split link. I spent a day at Bruntingthorpe hitting 160+ mph. also gave passenger rides. When I finally got back home, I noticed the retaining clip on the split link was missing that day could have ended differently !

I prefer split links, but decent chains seem to come with rivet links, which are a pain when changing chains but seem pretty permanent once fitted .

 

You don' exactly change chains every week. Why compromise! Last time I removed my chain was about 8 years ago, for a new one.

 

All my old bikes run a split link and I have had one come off so the soft fixed link must have to introduced for safety.
Or to stop the "Rockers" beating up "Mods" with them

 

The change possibly happened because chain manufacturer didn't want to be held liable for chain separation ! If you put the locking clip on facing in the WRONG ! Direction it will always come OFF EVENTUALLY !! But using the soft rivet option it's almost never going to happen.....!

See the difference now ??