itsonlysmellz

Looking to take apart my chain to let it soak in a nice relaxing bath of acetone / paint thinner to draw out all the dirty oil and grit. Would it be safe if took the main pin out [picture below] and reinserted it afterwards to reuse? Reading some other threads have let me in an indecisive state of mind. I have a CN-HG40 Narrow chain.

The Pedalphile

No, go to your lbs or order online and get yourself some pins or a reusable link.

Farhat

I tried that once. Made it about 2 blocks before the chain broke and I was on the ground. Spend a few bucks and get the power link.

redfooj

Tried that multiple times and 10 years later with the same bikes still not dead nor broken chains

itsonlysmellz

I think im going to press my luck

CliffordK

The CN-HG40 is listed as a standard 6/7/8 speed chain (3/32").
Shimano seems to list a connecting pin for the chain:
https://si.shimano.com/php/download.p...arts-1327S.pdf

PN: Y04598010 or Y04598020

However, people have been reusing pins on 3/32 chains for quite some time. I just normally push the pin out 90% of the way, just so a little nub still holds the chain in place, twist the chain a bit to get it apart, cut off the links I need to, then push the pin back in. It is never 100% removed.

I did manage to break a new Bell branded chain last fall, counted it as a fluke, and mounted an HG73 - 9S (that one with the single use connecting pins).

I also mounted two HG73 chains reusing the pins. One now has about 2000 miles, the other one has about 1500 miles. I marked the link on the second chain so I'll know if something goes wrong. So far, no problems with those two chains at the point of reusing the pin. I got a kink away from the reused pin on one of the chains that I had to work out.

Anyway, for the 3/32 chains, it is up to you what you want to do.
Contrary to recommendations, so far I'm surviving reusing pins on my 9s chains.
For now, I'll probably use the proper pins for 10s or 11s if I start using them.

SnowCYYCling

You know, a missing link is not that expensive.

BoSoxYacht

Is money really that tight for you?

Be sure to write about your experience here.

Ice41000

Risking a crash for few bucks (cost of new pin or link) is really not worth it.

Wingsprint

Years ago, I did the same thing which resulted in three broken ribs.

Homebrew01

Old school chains were fine popping pins in and out. I would not do it with modern narrow chains. Cough up $3 and buy a replaceable link.

RollCNY

It really all depends on how much damage the rivet did on being pressed out originally. If you had a pin link plate with an as punched ID, you could push a pin in and out forever without loss of function. It is the press fit that holds the chain together, not the rivet. So the trick is getting the pin in and out without generating a shear.

With the Shimano master pin, my assumption has always been that the lead side is tapered, and that the straight portion is a few thousandths oversize to a standard pin (I have not measured to confirm). I believe this to be the case so that the pin can overcome the shear from the rivet being pressed out initially, because the pins work in non-virgin holes. So, it is my belief that pushing this in and out without the tapered lead in is a recipe to shear the pin link plate, lose press fit force, and have the joint fail.

And older chains were less sensitive because the PLP were thicker, harder to shear, and even if you did generate a shear, you usually kept enough press fit to hold the chain together. On an ANSI spec chain, the rivets really were decorative, and served no functional purpose. If anyone remembers cottered chain, it is easy to see that chain needs rivets like a monkey needs a pantsuit.

Trsnrtr

Yeah, what RollCNY said. Even many years ago, a chain could be weakened over time by multiple pin removal.

On new chains, I rarely remove a pin without getting some metal being shaved off. That can't be a good thing. Buy a freaking quick link.

Ice41000

You actually may.

Lazyass

Yes you can reuse a freaking HG40 pin. As someone said, when you break the chain don't push the pin all the way out, just enough to separate the link. I've even reused 10 speed chain pins. In 28 years I've never had a chain snap on me. According to Bike Forums I should have three broken ribs or be dead.

Trsnrtr

Must have wimpy legs.

rpenmanparker 

I wouldn't use the acetone. The mineral spirits (paint thinner) by itself is safer. Acetone has a really low flash point and will not contribute anything to the grease and dirt cutting that you won't get with mineral spirits alone.

mcours2006

It can be done. I've seen it on Youtube. I tried it the other day as per video as I needed to shorten the chain by a couple of links. It was a brand new chain too. Then about 40 minutes into the ride I felt some sort of clicking. The plate was starting to come lose. Damn!

On the ride home I was so afraid it was going to snap, so I had to ride in a very low gear.

I say don't do it. Get the replacement pin, or a new chain.

RPK79

What a stupid way to try to save money.

Homebrew01

A lot depends on the experience/competence of the person doing the work. Since a chain can be usable, or unusable depending on a few thousands of an inch difference, in this case I suggest a quick link, rather than take the risk. If OP knew how to do it properly, this thread wouldn't exist.

Drew Eckhardt 

I did too until 2012 when I switched to Campagnolo 10 cog with flush rivets over a decade behind when their marketing people wanted me to, although I did break at least two 8 and 9 speed chains between 1997 and then in spite of being a skinny climber type who spins small gears and does not shift under load.

Flush riveted chains always need a new pin or reusable master-link (there just isn't a lot of side-plate to hang on to the pin), and that's a good idea where the pins are merely peened as on the CN-HG40.

KMC missing links are only $2-$3 each when you buy a card of 6 good for 30,000+ total miles.

loimpact

On a similar note (albeit slightly different) I'm now on my 3rd reuse of a SRAM 11spd master link on a Shimano 11 spd chain.

Last time I cleaned the chain there was still plenty of resistance so I went ahead & popped it back in.

Of course in a master link/quick link setup pedaling is actually working *in* one's favor by constantly applying tightening/butting force to the master link. The pin, I definitely wouldn't risk.

I probably won't mess with a 4th attempt on the master link but when I saw that Shimano & SRAM said "one time use" but Wipperman said "reusable", I just had to give it a go.

RPK79

I finally broke down and bought a Park Tools master link tool. Man, is that thing slick!

Wolf Dust

DO NOT REMOVE THE "MAIN PIN"!...because that one is not the main pin. It is a replaced pin that has been removed at some time prior. Whenever you remove a pin on a Shimano chain it should always be from a different link. Where I come from a Shimano chain pin costs $2. For crying out loud, just replace the pin the proper way and have some peace of mind!

And on a second note, that chain already looks super clean!

topflightpro

Well, we're all going to die eventually. So, yes, you are going to die.

Whether you will die from a chain failure is less clear. I've pulled and replaced the pin on Shimano chains, and raced on that chain, with no negative effects, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea to do it. Generally, if you can avoid doing that, you should.