MB33 

The only thing I can find is a KMC brand link that's supposed to be for 5-8 speeds but I don't think that'll fit my vintage Regina 5 speed chain. Are there any currently produced options?

SpedFast

If it's 1/2"X1/8" chain it will fit. I might be wrong, but I thought 5 thru 8 spd chains were all the same except for number of links used.

MB33 

5 speed chains are wider than 6 and higher.

ofajen

1/8” chains would be a single speed chain and have a link width over 9 mm. Multi-gear chains are 3/32” and have varying link widths.

I think standard 5 and 6 had a sprocket spacing of 5.5 mm and a typical link width around 7.5mm. Narrow 6 and 7 and 8 speed have a sprocket spacing of about 5 mm and chain width around 7mm. Generally I think folks have decent results running 6,7,8 speed chains on 5 speed clusters, so running the wider 5/6 speed chain isn’t usually required.

Otto

obrentharris 

Your Regina chain and other 5 speed chains were not made with a removable link like more modern chains. Perhaps there are master links now available for them: I don't know of any.
The method for joining these chains is to press the pin into place using a chain tool.

My technical writing skills are not up to clearly describing the process. Certainly someone here will know of a good online tutorial. Otherwise find the oldest mechanic in the oldest bike shop near you and ask him/her to do the job and let you watch so you'll know how it's done next time.
Brent

3alarmer 

...you might be able to find one that works. by measuring the width of your chain at the roller (where the pin goes in), and then looking for some measurements of the sidths of what's currently available from KMC, SRAM, Shimano, etc.

But it would be an awful lot of trouble, and were it me, I'd just go with the rejoining techniques using the pin tool, as mentioned above.

Or just treat yourself for Christmas, and buy yourself a new KMC 5-8 speed chain online somewhere for like ten bucks.

MB33 

I'm having some issues with a modern chain slipping between the rings on a vintage triple so that's why I want to try a NOS Regina I have onhand. I will be touring on the bike so want it to be easy on/ easy off for cleaning and repairs. Looks like I'm going to have to do some measuring and checking.

nlerner

tkamd73 

I’ve used a lot of different chain tools, this is one of the best. All of my bikes are 6 or 7 speeds, thus all my chains are joined using one of these.
Tim

randyjawa 

Just run an eight speed chain, rather that seek out a five speed one. The eight speed comes with a master link and it much lighter that the Old School offerings...

markk900

+1 on the chain pin tool - I still have my Cyclo from 50 years ago but I also have a modern copy that is almost identical and was cheap. Best to practice a bit but once one gets the hang of it I personally find it easier than using a master link because I am always almost losing the stupid clip - I know there is a tool for that and that people find them easy but for some reason on both motorcycles and bicycles those damn link clips are my kryptonite!

JohnDThompson 

Virtually all derailleur chains are ostensibly 1/2" x 3/32". There were some early derailleur systems that use 1/8" wide chain, but they maxed out at three sprockets and haven't been on the market since about the 1950s. Chains started getter narrower outside width with "Ultra-6" back in the 70s and SedisSport in the early 80s. Eight speed chains are a little bit narrower than those, but not dramatically so.

Most chains designed for eight and fewer sprockets are pinned together and don't need a master link, although some 8-speed chains may come with one. Those 8-speed master links are not likely to work with 7, 6, or 5-speed chain. Use a chain tool to push any pin most of the way through, then twist the chain slightly to separate it. Push the same pin back in to re-join the ends. Don't push the pin all the way out if you intend to rejoin the chain at the same length; you'll likely need to splice a new pair of links with the pin intact if you do drive the pin all the way out. Ideally, you'll want just a little stub of the pin left exposed on the inside of the link to facilitate rejoining the chain; like this:



If there's no stub on the inside, it's harder to get things lined up when you re-join the ends.

Chains designed for use with more than eight sprockets are riveted together to allow even narrower outside width and must use a master link designed for the specific outside width of the chain being used.

SpedFast

John D Thompson, Thanks for the refresher. I for one appreciate it.

davester

I beg to differ. Most currently available 8-speed chains come with a master link because using a chain tool to join the links results in a dangerously weak link. This is because the ends of the chain pins are peened (i.e. flared out) to grip the side plates. This was not the case with older, wider chains. When you push a pin out with the chain tool, the peened parts of the pin are sheared off so that if you push the pin back in there is no peening to hold it to the plate. I broke a couple of chains doing this, almost causing a crash each time. A wise bike mechanic informed me of the error of my ways, just as I am so informing you. Bottom line...if a chain comes with a master link, use it!

Also, you mention master link clips. Those haven't existed for decades. There are no clips on modern master links.

markk900

davester : thanks for the education. I don’t buy a lot of chains so my experience is limited in terms of new chains - the last new one I bought for a 3-speed did still have a master link with clip, and I have a supply of “new in package” master links for the chains I have.

And on the motorcycle side, bought a new chain last year and it came with both a peenable master as well as a clip style; the interwebs are split on which to use (pun intended) but the manufacturer recommends using the peen style. Splitting that chain also uses a pin tool like the bicycle but mega-sized.

sloppy12

The master links at the big box stores still use the clip style.

davester

Note that my post was about eight-speed derailleur chains. I’m pretty sure that you are talking about one- or three-speed 1/8” chains. I’ve never seen any kind of 3/32” derailleur chain width a clip-style link and I don’t see how that would even work without snagging on the cage. I could be wrong of course.

sloppy12

nope multi speed chains(6,7,8). I got three of them in a pinch in the spring. they all had the clip not a quick link.

I didnt even try the link. I had spare quick links. I agree I think it would drag...

1989Pre 

Yes. 6-speed is 7.1mm. 5 speed is 7.3.