I'm wondering what the consensus is 'round here concerning using a master link (with the snap-in retainer) versus using a chain tool to join the chain together with a regular link.

I did the chain conversion a few years ago and never had an issue...

... until this morning when I moved the bike across the garage and I heard metal clinking on the concrete- the snap-in retaining clip popped off. (I think I've got maybe four hundred miles on this chain and it weren't an el cheapo.)

Either I was slacking when I put the chain back on the other day after changing my gear ratio or I've got a defective part... or pure chance just happened.

But all that is besides the point- I'm just wondering what everyone else does when they do the chain conversion.

Think on it a second -- master links are directional and he had it installed (mebbe lightly clipped or with the rounded side out).

When he backed up, he was going backwards and the clip could see removal forces if lightly clipped in place.



TECHNICAL STUFF FROM RACELAND

Master clips are approved but must be installed with the flat side of the stamping oriented out (maximum engagement force to the groove).   The blunt round end of the clip goes towards the direction of rotation and the open clip end trails the direction of rotation.

(this might explain most clips coming off -- there is a rounded side to any stamping and you want the flat side out when you put the master clip on -- tougher to get it on and also tougher to come off)

Next, you must apply either fine safety wire or RTV inside the clip to plate junction.   RTV is applied to a clean dry master link side plate & clip between the two pieces, allowed to cure completely and then the chain is lubed.  RTV works by not letting the clip move laterally due to vibration and since it can't move it can't disengage.  

Safety wire just retains the loose part after a failure but doesn't do as much as RTV does to keep it from coming loose in the first place.  Safety wire is falling out of favor with most tracks nowdays as RTV works better and is easier to deal with.

Most racers still use a master clip as breaking a riveted chain takes far too long during a pit stop and change speed is always king at race day.

Now -- go back to antique times -- special master links existed with extended posts with side holes for safety wiring.  Some would use a standard master link & side plate and replace the clip with a fancy figure 8 pattern of medium safety wire, but that was a fiddly pain to do correctly.

Dirt bike boys had the most issues with master links coming off, so they had the most/best tricks to keep them on.

I had it on backwards. By the time I got to putting the chain back on after swapping out the front sprocket, I was in no good mood. I was having problems getting the chain length right, adjusting the rear tire position, yelling at the guy on the radio...  

But it's alright now. (In fact, it's a gas   )