Bicycle Mechanics - how to complete a chain despite complete rivet removal

if you aren't careful when using a chain tool and end up completely removing the rivet that you'd use to complete your new chain, here's one way to remedy the problem...

cut up a small square piece of potato, so that it fits just inside the first part of the chain tool. use the chain tool to poke a hole in it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/3123570364_dbd1b1806d.jpg

you'll end up with something that looks like this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3227/3123570904_7e39417730_m.jpg

now, take your popped rivet and put it in the hole and line it up inside the chain tool, so that when you Slowly and Carefully tighten the chain tool you may drive the rivet back into place.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/3122744389_99b21d0a0c.jpg

with patience and determination you'll once again have a complete chain without having to purchase a new one and starting over. phew!

i should say that it is probably not recommended to do this at all, do so at your own risk... you have a much higher probability of ending up with a chain with a 'tight link' than being more careful in the first place and not popping the rivet out.

if you do have a 'stiff' chain link, here's how to fix it:
http://bicycletutor.com/stiff-chain-link/

thats why i am so carefull when i drive out link pins. sometimes i leave it a micro meter or so less so that when i redrive the pin in, there will be a slight end of the pin to guide the pin back in easier.

as far as your idea, thats cool if it works. i will have to try it if i accidently pop a pin.

Can I use a yam?

Perhaps you should re-post this in the sticky Hints and Tricks thread: http://67.201.16.77/showthread.php?t=316561&page=7

Can I use a yam?

I'm wondering; If I carry a potato in my tool kit, how often will I need to replace it?

raw yam, sure. probably as rigid as a potato.
i arrived at potato since i had some in the house and needed something i could cut/shape for the purpose.
my friend and i at first tried to cooperatively suspend the rivet over the chain inside the chain tool with various plier tools (needlenose and otherwise) but it was extremely difficult to see whether it was being held parallel to the chain and it was a total failure.
potato method? complete success.

i'm sure you're kidding about keeping the potato 'tool' in your mobile kit or whatever... it would become rotten pretty quick :)

feel free to copy/paste my whole jam to the sticky hints/tips thread if you feel it's worthy.
(information should be free, i'm not looking for credit or accolades.)

I usually count 1/2 turns. About 9 half-turns for 8-spd chain. Then 8 half-turns for 9-spd. Finally 7 half-turns for 10-spd. This leaves about 0.1mm of chain-pin sticking out on the inside of the plate to hold the chain together so you an have your hands free to push the pin back in.

^ that is what I do.

Tried this technique with a McDondalds French Fry this morning with poor results.

I am now wondering if the problem could be my chain tool. I am going to give it one more try, this time with a Burger King fry...

mike, how were you able to get fries in the morning? Try it with their hash browns....

I'm wondering; If I carry a potato in my tool kit, how often will I need to replace it?

I'm not sure but the potato will tell you when it's time.

That's a great idea, but there are very few chains made these days that can safely be rejoined with the same pin. Any flush pin chain made either requires a replacement pin or a special connecting link to join it. That's really any 9, 10 or 11 speed chain that I'm familiar with.

I use this for breaking chains. I've never pushed a pin all the way out.

http://www.treefortbikes.com/imgDsp.aspx?fName=ct2.jpg

Hmmm. If a stiff potato will work (since the idea is just to hold the pin from moving) then I imagine some energy bars will work too? And an apple slice also ought to work for the same reason. If I were on the road in a pinch, I might try one of those.

Next time I mess up a chain link at the bicycle collective, I'm gonna try it with an energy bar and I'll post the results :P


That's a great idea, but there are very few chains made these days that can safely be rejoined with the same pin. Any flush pin chain made either requires a replacement pin or a special connecting link to join it. That's really any 9, 10 or 11 speed chain that I'm familiar with. I help out at a bike co-op at my college, so pretty much everything that comes in are old road bikes with 5 speed freewheels or 6-and-7 speed mountain bikes. We part out rust buckets that have been repossessed by the police and have to work with a fair amount of old chains. I think the only 9+ speed bikes that come in are those of us who work there :P I'm definitely going to try this if I ever pop a pin out in the future.

take care with powerbars; clean your chain tool thoroughly after use.
very very sticky stuff.