Bicycle Mechanics - VERY stubborn KMC Missing Link (arrrgh)

I have been using SRAM Power links for years and a 10 speed KMC chain with their missing link fine for months. I have a new KMC 7-speed chain that I wanted to shorten, but I cannot get this missing link apart. It is a CL-571 that looks like this.

http://allproducts.com/manufacture8/kmcchain/cl573.jpg

This usually takes me 5-10 seconds to do. Tonight, I've been at it for an hour. I've used 3 different types of needle nose pliers to squeeze the side plates together and no dice. I've looked through previous posts about this and have tried many suggestions (though I didn't quite get someone's suggestion of "making a triangle").

Any suggestions or other tricks to try?

I have been using SRAM Power links for years and a 10 speed KMC chain with their missing link fine for months. I have a new KMC 7-speed chain that I wanted to shorten, but I cannot get this missing link apart. It is a CL-571 that looks like this.

http://allproducts.com/manufacture8/kmcchain/cl573.jpg

This usually takes me 5-10 seconds to do. Tonight, I've been at it for an hour. I've used 3 different types of needle nose pliers to squeeze the side plates together and no dice. I've looked through previous posts about this and have tried many suggestions (though I didn't quite get someone's suggestion of "making a triangle").

Any suggestions or other tricks to try?
try squirting some WD40 on it & while squeezing plates together with thumb & forefinger, hold chain in a straight line pushing it together & rocking chain back & forth.

I had the same problem with an 8-sp KMC. Finally gave up on it and pinned the chain together the regular way. The missing link holds good, but it certainly doesn't come apart easily.

I went with a Nashbar/KMC 8-speed recumbent/tandem chain last year (very nice price and it works OK) and have never been able to get the link apart with my fingers. So...... I got the Park Chain Link Pliers. The SRAM links are MUCH easier to work with.

On that chain it is an assembly link only. You aren't supposed to be able to use anything other than a chain tool to remove it.

Not removable? Really? Here's the text at Nashbar (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=76&subcategory=1099&brand=&sku=12652&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Chains) where I bought it:

"Compatible with both Shimano and Campagnolo 7 and 8 speed systems, our 7/8 speed chain includes a quick link that makes removal for cleaning a snap! 116 links." (They put iin that last phrase to torment me.)

I'll look closely at this and compare with my 10-speed KMC that I take on and off regularly. I've also seen posts by others that didn't know it was "assembly only" and have been using this peice to take it on and off.

Big_knob, I'll try the WD-40, but this is a brand new chain...Thanks all. Other thoughts? Suggestions?

I was about to recommend a hacksaw, BikeWise's suggestion sounds more professional. I wouldn't go by what the retailer supposes to be the case.

FWIW, the only newer KMC chain I've used with the re-usable link is the "Nashbar nine speed chain by KMC," and I found the connector link to be virtually identical to the SRAM Powerlink, no problems connecting it/disconnecting by hand whatsoever..........I did buy the 6/7 speed version recently, and it came with the older style non-reusable connector. I was disappointed with that, I had been under the impression it was supposed to have the same type of re-usable connector the nine-speed version comes with-

I'll be in denial for another 20 minutes, then I'll follow BikeWise's suggestion.

If these master links are not reusable (and here comes what I hope is a stupid question) what do those of us who want to remove the chain for cleaning generally do? Replace it with a SRAM Master link?

I'll be in denial for another 20 minutes, then I'll follow BikeWise's suggestion.

If these master links are not reusable (and here comes what I hope is a stupid question) what do those of us who want to remove the chain for cleaning generally do? Replace it with a SRAM Master link?

To clarify, the connector link that I received with my 6/7 speed Nashbar KMC chain looks nothing like the connector link in your original photo. It's the old style "assembly link," what we used to call a master link. It's obvious by looking at it that it doesn't work like the newer tool-free/re-usable links from SRAM and KMC-

It can be removed, but not as easily as the sram. Look closely and you'll notice there are tabs that lock it in place. With some effort these tabs can be overcome.

Exactly what Moose said.

The KMC link is intended to latch into place. Quick to fit, not so quick to remove... I had one and it involved squeezing the side plates together whilst attempting to unhook the link using needle nose pliers. On closer inspection, I noticed the lock tabs intended to prevent movement of the pin out of its regular position. These were removed with a small file until the link alone could be assembled (and disassembled...) easily by hand, before putting it back together with the chain. It never gave a problem after this minor modification. Otherwise, I'd recommend replacing with the appropriate SRAM powerlink, which is easier to work with.

Ed

I just went and double-checked my Nashbar 9 speed KMC chain, with the connector link that looks identical to the photo in the OP. I disconnected it, by hand, in less than ten seconds. Reconnecting it is even easier. Are we talking about the same type of connector here?

I was about to recommend a hacksaw, BikeWise's suggestion sounds more professional. I wouldn't go by what the retailer supposes to be the case.
ha, I actually hacksawed a chain once before I had/understood exactly what a chain tool was.

Grip the chain in one hand so that 3 links form a triange, with the removable link exposed. Use a needle nosed pliers to squeeze the rollers on either side of the removable link. It pops right apart.

Grip the chain in one hand so that 3 links form a triange, with the removable link exposed. Use a needle nosed pliers to squeeze the rollers on either side of the removable link. It pops right apart.

...and keep your fingers out of the way in case you slip. Don't ask me how I know :mad:

Something is screwy with the chain it appears. I gave it a 10 minute try and no luck. Soooo, feeling vindictive, I broke the chain at the KMC Missing link and replaced it with a SRAM connector I had around. The SRAM connector came off of the old chain just fine (1 second job). However, I'm finding the SRAM connector difficult to remove as well. I tried for only a minute, though. Any thoughts about that?

I think I'm going to invest in the Park Master Link Removal tool.

Make life easy get the Park MPL-1 Tool worth the $10 I spent for it.
The correct tools will always make life easer. Its an investment that you won't regret.

Hmmm, interesting.

I'm unfamliar with 10speed stuff, but it sounds like there is a minor difference in tolerance between the SRAM link and KMC chain. I have used 8 and 9 speed chains & never had a problem, except the KMC missing link, which I "fixed". If your KMC chain were a hair wider than SRAM's spec, this would prevent the Powerlink sideplates from being squeezed inward sufficiently to allow disengagement and removal.

Ed

...and as I'm cleaning up my work bench tonight I found the KMC chain "instructions" that make it sound oh so easy to take the missing link apart. Weird that this one is so hard with both the KMC missing link and the SRAM master link. I think you're on the right track Ed, but it doesn't make sense that neither the KMC nor the SRAM master links work well with this chain.

I have the Master Link Pliers on the top of my next Nashbar order.

Thanks all.

What does the Park MLP-1 tool do that cannot be done with a pair of needle nose pliers? I have never used that Park tool but it looks like it is nothing more than needle nose pliers with a hook nose to get a good grip on the chain between the links.
Also, the Park website suggests that the tool is handy to overcome all the gunk that might be in a chain that prevents the link from releasing as expected. If true, I would think that a good cleaning with WD40 at the problem link would eliminate the gunk and make it easire to release.

Resolution.

Using the Park Tool it's hardly fair. One easy squeeze and the Master Link comes right apart. I think this is going to be $11 well spent even though I'd never had a problem until I met this new chain.

oldokie, I have 6 different pairs of needle nose pliers and just couldn't get enough grip on the link in get it open (even after a thorough cleaning). The park tool fits easily between the chain links and is curved to securely grab the link.