See here lies the answer a million people wanna know. Me included.
Even the best die hard clip haters, you ask and they give you that blank stare ....
:hmm: <----- like that. BUT they know that they fail, but arent sure why or how
I think personally, maintenance is a MAJOR key to this answer. When i worked at dealerships pushing spanners, i would service peoples bikes, run a light past the calipers and check pads wear etc, and would spot a master link without the clip, BUT having excess amounts of chainlube and grime on the side plate.
Meaning, it didnt just fall off last week, how can people not notice ?. Fact is we ride high performance sport bikes, but fact is people rarely go around and check whats going on with the bike. Until they had no pedal, most people would never know they are low on rear brake fluid. Clip links are not a set and forget forever affair.
Also, with clip links you still need to knock on the sideplates, they are a push on fit. Press the plate on too far, and the clip can vibrate and pop off. Dont press it on enuf and the edges can round off in vibration and again ... pop off .
When you silicone them, i believe that the vibration is dampened, me i use a liquid gasket formula called Three Bond. Along with putting the clip in properly, the right side up, pressing the plate on enough, and silicone, you will never loose a link.
Just curious , out of every 10 people who say they would never use a clip link, id dare guess 9 have never used one, and only go by what is common knowledge or rumor.
Like i said before, not trying to convert, but i find amusing all the hate. I think if your not changing gearing, there is no need to run a clip link. If your changing gearing from street to track , or track to stunts, then yea, grinding off and peening the rivets over gets to be a hassle each week , couple times a week.