Originally Posted by
T-Mar
Quick Link is actually a Shimano trademark and they had a tool free master link for 3/32" derailleur chain in the very late 1970s called the Link Lock. It was very similar to KMC's Missing Link with the exception that it employed a single locking pin which was not captive. Tool free master links were rarely used in factory settings. So, while I would not expect to see one on a 1987 model with OEM chain, they were available.
That's interesting! I never saw a Shimano
Link Lock, or never noticed it. Certainly it wasn't common. It does look quite a lot like the KMC Missing Link, though in my view a little less elegant because of that loose locking pin.
It might be pointed out to younger forum members, or those who weren't into bikes at the time, that master links were definitely associated with cheap bikes. They were seen in the same light as Ashtabula cranks - cheap. Everyone knew that quality bikes used self joining chains. Therefore it doesn't surprise me that this early and prescient Shimano product didn't catch on.
When did the first modern master links come out anyway? Was it with 8 speed or 9 speed drivetrains? I haven't worked in a bike shop since 1992 or so, and missed that chapter in bike history. Chains were all still self joining then, IIRC. Maybe there were some early special Shimano pins. I assume masterlinks made their way onto high quality road bikes when chains became so narrow that peened pins were required.