Chain problem
 

OK, this is a new one for me. I've broken dozens of chains and reassembled them without a problem when I strip a bike for a rebuild. Tonight I broke my trusty Park chain tool trying to pop a pin on an early 1970's chain on an Italian bike (a Bottecchia Special, in case that makes a difference.) I tried several links, not a pin on one of them wanted to budge. So I muscled down... and one of the prongs on the Park tool just snapped right off! The pin, however, was still in place. So my question is this: Is there something special about old Italian chains that I'm simply not seeing here? I hate to go out and buy a new chain tool and bust that one too. What am I missing here???

did you put the chain in the proper position on the chain tool?

Yes - so all the more curious. My real issue is the chain... does anyone know if there is something about a vintage Italian chain that would result in extreme difficulty popping the pin? As I originally indicated, breaking a chain is nothing new to me. I usually like to save the vintage chain whenever possible so I don't want to literally "break" it to get it off, but I'm at a loss as to how to remove the pin if my Park tool couldn't even budge it. Suggestions, anyone?

Did the chain tool's pin line up with the center of the chain's pin. If not you might have been pressing into the side of the chain's plates.

Yes - and when the pin didn't budge, I tried to align with three or four other pins. No luck with them either. It's starting to p*** me off too!

No, there's nothing special about Italian chains. Which Park chain tool do you have?

I use the Gian Robert chain pliers here:
http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/gianrobert.jpg

Maybe the link has corroded together with the rivet and bushing? Try some Kroil or PBlaster or even WD-40, let it sit overnight and try again? I guess you'd notice if that were the case if the link were stiff or stuck, though...

You are putting an old worn 30 year old chain on? :wtf:

I hope he's trying to remove it :)

Not that I feel like I have to explain myself, but no, I'm trying to remove it without destroying it. I don't care to destroy any parts on a vintage bike, even if they get replaced on the final build. Thank you for the "non answer" - but I was really just trying to find out if there is something about this particular chain that differs from every other chain I've worked on. It seems a legitimate restoration question.

older chains have bushings under the roller, inside link..
I think Ive been using the same Cyclo,UK chain tool for 30 years

If one link won't come out EZ , try a different one .. got lots..

Original post says he tried several...

You think you could post a pic of the chain, perhaps with some closeups? I'm curious now...