Originally Posted by
xperiap
Thanks to everyone for your advice. As I stated above, I will replace it with a master link.
This is the bike I bought and was not serviced as it should so it was super dirty. I did something wrong but when I realized that the side plate is destroyed I started googling.
Luckily, master links are cheap fix so I will use them.
I don't remember if you ever said you checked the chain for wear. If it's showing any "stretch" at all, you might just spring for a new chain. Then you'll get the quick link as part of the new chain. At least for most new chains you do.