Add me to the "Clip-on master link failed" group...

[Wrider]

I was coming home from Fort Collins today. Nice rain storm in northern Denver, followed by a solid mist from Monument Hill all the way to my place in the Springs.

I could feel my chain needed adjustment on the way home, which was weird because I just adjusted it about 1000 miles ago (chain only has about 7K on it.) Getting on it about a mile from my house, it starts clicking really bad for about 3 seconds, then I heard one loud click, followed by an absolute loss of power. I immediately shut the bike off in case it damaged my cases (it didn't), and coasted into the nearest parking lot.

Chain was still dangling from the chain guard, so I grabbed it and examined it. Still the right length minus the clip on master link.

Looks like rivet style for me from now on...

As for "bet it wasn't maintained" or whatever, I just cleaned and lubed it while I was up in Fort Collins yesterday. The master link was fine, and anyone who wants to examine the chain for signs of abuse is more than welcome to request pictures. (Though there is serious damage from it playing pinball in the sprockets...)

[Gummiente]

Glad to hear you got it stopped without incident, that chain could easily have wedged between the rear sprocket and wheel and... well, I'm glad you're okay.

I'm scared of the day the buckle falls apart on my Harley's belt drive.

[Wrider]

You're telling me... I was having visions of it flinging off of my rear sprocket and up into the windshield of the car behind me, or of it bunching up between the front sprocket and the cases and cracking them... That would have been a horrible experience!