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How does this chain come apart?

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Old 11-08-23, 04:46 PM
  #1  
kevinkay
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How does this chain come apart?

Looking for a master link.......... and all I can find is one pin that looks different - darker color, wider smooth head. All the other pins look to have a square imprint on them.
SO, this is the pin the factory put in on assembly and I don't want to remove it?? or I can push this one out? From which direction?
Or do I push out another pin and then can't ruse it?? Where do I find a repair replacement pin?

This is on a 2011 Trek Wingra that was given to me
CN-HG50 HG NARROW embossed on chain
THANKS!

(I am new here and can't post the photos of the chain)
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Old 11-08-23, 04:53 PM
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Shimano CN-HG50 is an 8-speed chain. You use this tool to push that pin out from either direction.

CT-3.2 Chain Tool | Park Tool

Do not reuse the pin; reinstall a new pin:

Shimano Chain Connector Pins - Multi Pack - Cambria Bike

Better yet, install a quick link:

Missing Link 8/7 Speed 2 Pairs Reusable – KMC Chain

Use this tool to install (or to remove) the quick link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007E8YO7Q/
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Old 11-08-23, 04:58 PM
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kevinkay
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THANK YOU!!!!

If I use the quick link then I push 2 old pins out?
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Old 11-08-23, 05:06 PM
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I have just installed a Shimano HG70 ( "6,7,8 speed" ) chain and yes the pin with the flat smooth end is the pin the factory provided ( factory part way installed ) for the end user to press all the way through when joining the chain.

The instructions state to NOT remove this pin after installation. And if subsequently needing to break the chain, to do this at another link location, and re-join with the spare pin they provided. So the inference here is do NOT re-use a standard pin already in the chain. ( The spare pin they provide has a lead-in guide, which is snapped off after installation, and the main pin section has two slight raised ridges at either end. )

I don't know if you can get these spare pins separately but I once used some sort of "quick link" on one of these chains. I'm pretty sure people do this all the time to make it easier to break their chains without having to press a pin out.

Last edited by redshift1; 11-08-23 at 05:10 PM. Reason: Spelling mistake.
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Old 11-08-23, 06:22 PM
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SoSmellyAir
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Originally Posted by kevinkay
THANK YOU!!!!

If I use the quick link then I push 2 old pins out?
Yes. The quick link is used in lieu of one pair of outer plates.
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Old 11-08-23, 06:31 PM
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Unless it uses Shimano's older style quick link.

https://www.amazon.com/SHIMANO-SM-UG.../dp/B0847TTF8Y

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Old 11-08-23, 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by redshift1
The instructions state to NOT remove this pin after installation. And if subsequently needing to break the chain, to do this at another link location, and re-join with the spare pin they provided. So the inference here is do NOT re-use a standard pin already in the chain. ( The spare pin they provide has a lead-in guide, which is snapped off after installation, and the main pin section has two slight raised ridges at either end. )
Precisely.
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Old 11-08-23, 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by redshift1
I have just installed a Shimano HG70 ( "6,7,8 speed" ) chain and yes the pin with the flat smooth end is the pin the factory provided ( factory part way installed ) for the end user to press all the way through when joining the chain.

The instructions state to NOT remove this pin after installation. And if subsequently needing to break the chain, to do this at another link location, and re-join with the spare pin they provided. So the inference here is do NOT re-use a standard pin already in the chain. ( The spare pin they provide has a lead-in guide, which is snapped off after installation, and the main pin section has two slight raised ridges at either end. )

I don't know if you can get these spare pins separately but I once used some sort of "quick link" on one of these chains. I'm pretty sure people do this all the time to make it easier to break their chains without having to press a pin out.
I get not removing that specific pin to be replaced by a replacement pin, but does that matter if one will replace with a quick link?
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Old 11-08-23, 07:20 PM
  #9  
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Leave the chain alone unless there's a compelling reason to remove it.

IMO the only compelling reason would be to replace it when worn. That would make the question moot, since whatever new chain you buy will come with its own closure.
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Old 11-08-23, 08:05 PM
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Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
I get not removing that specific pin to be replaced by a replacement pin, but does that matter if one will replace with a quick link?
If you are going to use a quick-link, find a completely different location in the chain to where the original smooth end joining pin is.

And double check which exact chain link you remove - make sure it matches the quick-link !

p.s. In case you were asking something different to the above, the quick-link has its own pins as part of it.

Last edited by redshift1; 11-08-23 at 08:21 PM. Reason: Added p.s.
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Old 11-08-23, 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
Use this tool to install (or to remove) the quick link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007E8YO7Q/
Or skip the tool and use a Connex.
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Old 11-08-23, 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted by redshift1
If you are going to use a quick-link, find a completely different location in the chain to where the original smooth end joining pin is.

And double check which exact chain link you remove - make sure it matches the quick-link !

p.s. In case you were asking something different to the above, the quick-link has its own pins as part of it.
No, I was asking about the smooth end joining pin. What is so special about that pin? I understand that the instructions said not to replace that pin with a user-installed joining pin. But why does it have to be retained if one was going to install a quick link?
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Old 11-09-23, 03:03 AM
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That smooth end pin joins two links together ( of course ) and in the process of inserting the pin, I expect it will expand the bores of both links. Because unlike all the other pins in the chain, which are rivetted on their ends to keep them in place, the smooth end joining pin has to rely on slight over-sizing to keep it in place. If you remove this pin, and then re-use either chain link the pin was inserted in, the pin bores will be over-sized and therefore weakened.

Just consider that pin as a permanently installed pin.
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Old 11-09-23, 03:18 AM
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Originally Posted by kevinkay
THANK YOU!!!!

If I use the quick link then I push 2 old pins out?
This is unfortunately the way to go, if you want to install the link in a chain that did not have it initially.

After you install it, do not forget to move the location where the link is installed a couple of times in both directions, because the connection will be a little stiff in the beginning.
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Old 11-09-23, 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by redshift1
That smooth end pin joins two links together ( of course ) and in the process of inserting the pin, I expect it will expand the bores of both links. Because unlike all the other pins in the chain, which are rivetted on their ends to keep them in place, the smooth end joining pin has to rely on slight over-sizing to keep it in place. If you remove this pin, and then re-use either chain link the pin was inserted in, the pin bores will be over-sized and therefore weakened.

Just consider that pin as a permanently installed pin.
Again, right on.
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Old 11-09-23, 07:36 PM
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Old 11-10-23, 03:45 AM
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found the above quick link on a junk chain I made my chain whip out of - will this S.R.A.M 8SPD A7 work on my 8 speed chain?
I am waiting on my chain breaking tool
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Old 11-10-23, 08:38 AM
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A wonderful discussion detailing the very reasons the only thing that I do with Shimano chains is toss them.

In the mid-80's I went to Sedis and now I'm all KMC... With absolutely no regrets.

YMMV of course. Use whatever makes you happy - that's what I do
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Old 11-10-23, 09:01 AM
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kevinkay
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Originally Posted by Steel Charlie
A wonderful discussion detailing the very reasons the only thing that I do with Shimano chains is toss them.

In the mid-80's I went to Sedis and now I'm all KMC... With absolutely no regrets.

YMMV of course. Use whatever makes you happy - that's what I do

Please elaborate....Sedis/KMC chains have easy end user master links?
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Old 11-10-23, 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by redshift1
The instructions state to NOT remove this pin after installation. And if subsequently needing to break the chain, to do this at another link location, and re-join with the spare pin they provided. So the inference here is do NOT re-use a standard pin already in the chain. ( The spare pin they provide has a lead-in guide, which is snapped off after installation, and the main pin section has two slight raised ridges at either end. )
The standard pins are riveted over, so the hole in the outer plate is distorted when you remove them and refitting one instead of using the joining pin will result in a loose weak connection. That hasn't stopped me from rejoining them when I don't have a joining pin to hand, and they seem to work if you're careful, but I wouldn't do it on a customer's bike, and I don't fit new Shimano chain to my bikes. If you're fitting a quick link you throw away the outer links anyway so I don't see why you shouldn't remove the special pin to do that, although it will probably be harder to push out - could grind the head off to make it easy.
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Old 11-10-23, 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Steel Charlie
A wonderful discussion detailing the very reasons the only thing that I do with Shimano chains is toss them.
You toss the best chains on the market?

Wierd.
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Old 11-11-23, 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by kevinkay
Please elaborate....Sedis/KMC chains have easy end user master links?
Sedis is now sram (I think) tho I use just KMC and yes they have super masters
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Old 11-12-23, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Steel Charlie
A wonderful discussion detailing the very reasons the only thing that I do with Shimano chains is toss them.

In the mid-80's I went to Sedis and now I'm all KMC... With absolutely no regrets.

YMMV of course. Use whatever makes you happy - that's what I do
Shimano chains come with master links now
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Old 11-12-23, 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by redshift1
........
I don't know if you can get these spare pins separately......
You sure can. I don't do quick links, and just keep a supply of these. Unfortunately Shimano chains now come with quick links, so you have to buy the pins separately.

SHIMANO 8 Speed Bicycle Chain Connecting Pin
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Old 11-12-23, 04:04 PM
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Originally Posted by kevinkay
found the above quick link on a junk chain I made my chain whip out of - will this S.R.A.M 8SPD A7 work on my 8 speed chain?
I am waiting on my chain breaking tool
Yes. Links are generally agnostic to brand. You just need to get the speed right.
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