Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - How to extend/lengthen KMC Chain.

I have a fixie with I have a KMC Kool Chain 1/8" with Masterlink and I want to change Chain-rings to a larger one. Which leaves the current Chain length too short.

Is it possible to add back the links that I removed?

or do i need to buy a new chain?

I imagine you you should not use two (2) master links on one chain?

It was a rather expensive chain and has barely been used. So I don't really want to replace it
- but I really would like to swap out the chainring to get a better gear ratio.

you can add links back or get a smaller cog and take links out.

how do I add links back?

Do I need a new Pin?

Or I read somewhere about pushing a Pin out one side but not through the other side plate and then rejoin to chain and pushing it back through. using a Chain tool obviously
- is this what i should do?

- is this what i should do?

yeah

is it safe?

yeah, Ive done it many times.. just make sure you do it properly

I may have some extra kool links if ya need some

arent masterlinks really sketchy to have on a fixie?

arent masterlinks really sketchy to have on a fixie?

why? are the prone to falling out or something?
I have a front brake so I"m not relying completely on the chain.

arent masterlinks really sketchy to have on a fixie?

No, they're fine.

To the OP: I have personally had bad experiences adding links back onto a chain. If yours goes well, great. Chains don't cost a lot though, and a new one greatly reduces your chances of catastrophic chain failure.

cogs are cheaper than chainrings and chains

If you're careful with the chain tool it's not a problem in my experience.

cogs are cheaper than chainrings and chains

kmc 410's are $4.99 at my lbs. let me know where you are buying your cogs!!!

Well those are POS chains. The OP has a KMC Kool Chain..around 20 bucks usually.

yeah but i have a larger chain-ring already and I already have the chain so its not costing me anything to extend it.
found soem instructions here but I guess its pretty straightfoward.

just try and keep it all aligned properly.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=25

put an extra link back in to fit a larger chainring on the weekend
- the pin seems to be quite tight in there. i ended up only needing to add 1 link back! geez.

If anything happens i'll be sure to let you know.

By the way, nothing wrong with one or two master links on a fixed gear chain. I use two gearings, 46x17 for street, 53x17 for track (although I might get a 16 when I get my track wheels). Because I'm too cheap to have two chains (SRAM PC-68 by the way is a kickass chain, and not too pricey, $30-35), I add a little segment of chain and another master link to accomodate the bigger gearing. Works fine. Also, on some narrow chains it's not such a good idea to constantly punch pins in and out. Hell, some require you get a new pin. Your chain, however is a breeze to break and put back together, so don't worry about it. If you get stiffness, bend the chain side-to-side (not along the axis it naturally bends) around the link you replace to loosen up the plates. Sorry this is such a nonsensical chunk of text.

just find a buddy (preferrably pretty buff guy) and tell him to grab one end of the chain.. and you grab the other, and brace yourself with your free hand against the door frame... and pull hard. this should stretch da chain enough to fit now