Seizedpost

Hello all,
I need to adjust the length of a KMC Z50 chain. Where can I buy connecting pins for it? All I can find is master links.
Thanks!

fietsbob

Pushed the pin all the way out? You screwed up ! Never expect to re use a pin in a derailleur chain , period..

you shorten the chain and use the quick link /master.. not long enough ? Must save the length of chain you removed.. *

and use 2 quick links.. joining the inner links to each other each QL piece has its own pin per side.



*I buy a new chain and a bit more of the same kind the LBS saves .. for my long chainstay Old MTB.

Seizedpost

I don't want to reuse a pin, I want to buy a connecting pin. Are you saying I have no choice but to buy a master link?
This is a custom made bike I'm restoring and I'm not sure if the derailleur is meant for the freewheel. I installed the chain knowing that I might be replacing the derailleur, freewheel, neither, or both, and I figured it would be easier to shorten than lengthen it.

andr0id

A) That KMC Z50 is < $10 on Amazon. Just buy another one.

or

B) Get a 6 pack of the 5/6/7/8 KMC Missing Links and rebuild the length you need from the bits you have left over.

Chains are no different than 2x4s. You can shorten them easily. You're not supposed to make them longer. That's why they're long in the package.

koolerb

Not many chains today are designed to be broken except where they're meant to be. Shimano uses a replaceable pin, KMC and Weinmann use a snap together link. But to answer your question, no, you cant buy a new pin for that KMC chain.

fietsbob

pins is part of the chain , as sold BITD, you never pushed a pin all the way out .

we checked and rechecked until the pin let the inner link come loose , but the pin stayed in that outer link.

back then the pins were the widest part of the chain, wider than the outside link.

Pins are Rivet-Upset , bigger on the ends, so on the way out they stretch the hole in the link..
chain breaks when you shift are those loose holes pulling free.
chains never better than when left as thy come out of the box

shimano has a break off pin . Try that ( your risk, no guarantees) or use another section of the same chain
this time dont push the pin all the way out, and splice it in .. shift carefully after that.

3/32 chains are now sold as 5~8 Speed

3alarmer 

...IIRC (and I used to use KMC Z chains all the time before i went to the X chains, which shift a little better) your Z chain can be broken and rejoined anywhere, because the pins are not peened on the ends to widen them. But as stated above, the pins used to rejoin them (if you choose not to use a master link) are the originals it comes with, and if you push them all the way out, they are not reusable. If you still have the piece you took off, you can lengthen by taking it back to the next link and adding that piece in.

But as also already stated, chains are cheap. Spoil yourself.

Finally, any chain that has been peened at the pins (like the KMC X chains) ought to be broken and rejoined using the manufacturer's instructions, and KMC uses master links of various widths.

Seizedpost

I was unclear. I need to shorten, not lengthen, the chain. I'll just get a master link and call it good.

fietsbob

Single speed (1/8") chains use a different master link Type than derailleur Chains . The latter come in various Widths .

Z50is Peened , as seen on the ends Just not very much . https://kmcchain.us/chain/z50/

As no Quick Links were made Yet , we learned how to re press the Pin back in, 20 years ago

If it was not pushed all the way Out , then deal with the tight link that resulted from the Pushing it back In .