First time I've ever fitted a chain, using a Whale tool (nice bit of kit). I was worried whether I had peened the rivet link enough? (Apologies for crap mobile pictures!) What do you think?
From the pic it looks like you may have peened it too much as the plate gap at the adjacent link looks considerably larger. Also the plate on the soft link looks 0.5 to 1mm further in than its neighbour link. But a pic is a pic, so to put your mind at ease, I'd remove the wheel or send it forward so you can get the chain off the sprocket and by hand ensure the link has no more resistance to articulate, than the other links.
All four O-rings are there (covered in grease). Perhaps I have gone too far, I'll try Ghosts suggestion and see if that link is free enough.
+1 Check the link moves freely, you only really need enough peening to prevent the side plate being able to move off the pins. As you've obviously found, the interference fit is pretty tight anyway, so there's no need to overdo it.
difficult to see from the pic (as said) - the actual peened over end looks to have less meat than i'm used to, but I know they vary a little between manufacturers.
As long as it moves freely its good. If it feels a tiny bit stiffer i wouldnt worry but if you are concerned, a new link is only a few quid. Always good to buy a spare just in case it doesnt rivet properly. Safety first.
That's what I thought, and the reason for me asking in the first place! I too thought that the soft link plate was closer, but at the same time, theres not enough of a 'mushroom' in the peened ends!? I'll check to see if it moves freely first, might post a better pic tomorrow. Great idea, its only a few quid, and I'd rather do it again properly if I have to!
Thats fine it's only a chain guys,its more important that its got enough freeplay and not to tight. Sprockets and chains arn't precision instruments . Too many people on too many forums will always have a negative even if youv'e done the job perfectly,you could do that link 10 times and get that result, I know I have,and when you use it it will be fine the worst you'll get is a quicker wear rate, just make sure your rear wheel is running true i.e straight by adjusting your chain adjusters and the slack is correct.
As per Ghost's recommendation, checked the movement with the chain completely off the sprocket, and the soft link is just as mobile as the factory pressed links, so I'm going to leave it as it is for the moment and see how it goes!
