Mattlikesbikes

In one of my finer moments after figuring out how many links to take out of my new HKK vertex chain I got distracted (spaced out) and popped the pin out of the master link side. Now when I try to press the pin back into the link it is super tight. I tried this on 2 links with the same result and I am running out of extra links
Can the hkk pins even go back in the links?

Ahhh I am a dumba$$ tonight and now getting frustrated and probably making things worse

Thanks
Matt

drac_vamp

i wouldnt try it. no, i did try it. it failed on a ride when the chain snapped right at the ghetto-rigged link that i thought would hold. it didnt. could have been worse though, thank god it wasnt.

time for a new chain.

thenathanator

I had the same trouble the other day, and I'm not sure what the answer is myself.
Luckily I had plenty of chain to spare.

hyperRevue

When I have to add links without the aid of a master link I get kinks too.
To get rid of them, I usually very slightly move the pin back and forth with the chain breaker. This usually gets rid of the tight spot for me.

drac_vamp

think of how crucial your chain is, especially if riding fixed no brakes.

one of those things that you might just want to play it safe with.

dolface

you can also wiggle the chain back and forth along the stiff axis

more here https://parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=53

Mattlikesbikes

I know but it just sucks. It was not a cheap chain but in scheme of things it is cheaper the going to the hospital or screwing up my bike. I am just pissed at myself at this point for doing something so stupid

I tried wiggling no go. I would rather be safe anyway
Oh well no riding fixed until I get a new chain

dolface

huh? maybe i'm not understanding what's going on. i pop pins out all the time, i just put them back in, loosen up the tight link, and go ride.

what am i missing?

Mattlikesbikes

Maybe I am the one that is confused. I know some pins can not be reinserted into the chain or used again (shimano) I was not sure about HKK pins. And if I do get the link loose. Would that link be a point of failure….

ThaRiddla

Best said by a tech at my work: "When in doubt, throw it out."

No sense in taking a chance on injury to save a few bucks.

zip22

more like $50, isn't it?

Mattlikesbikes

I think that did it I wiggled it a bunch more and now It is nice and loose.
I was just concerned that the pin’s where not reusable. I did use the park tool mini chain tool so it was not like I was hammering the pin out ghetto style.

Oh and the chain was around $45 so I would rather have not tossed it

slopvehicle

alternatively, you could always go out and buy a slightly smalller cog / chainring.

LóFarkas

Huh? You completely removed the rivet from the side plate? If you managed to reinsetr it without damaging the side plate, it's just fine. And stiff links are a natural consequence of putting a chain together. https://www.sheldonbrown.com/derailer...html#stifflink

Make sure the rivet is centered in the chain, not sticking out on one side

Aeroplane

From my experience, just about all chains (with the exception of some shimanos) are designed to have reusable pins, so you can take out and add links as much as necessary. If it's high end by any means, it should be serviceable.

Oh, and shimanos without the replaceable pins have replacement pins that you can get at your LBS, probably $1/per.

shants

if, you know, you really feel the need to be safe or whatever, i'll take that chain off of your hands.

Mattlikesbikes

I think I have everything sorted out. I had a really crappy day at work yesterday and was really tired. I probably should have just chilled out instead of messing with the bike. I sort of overreacted after I took the wrong side of the chain off.
Everything is fixed now

Thanks for all the help guys
Live and learn