How to Use a Chain Breaker for a BMX

The bicycle chain breaker may resemble the latest device for removing wine corks, but this tool has a grittier application. A rotating handle and driving pin comprise the essential features of the chain breaker. Together, these allow the mechanic to drive a rivet either into or from his BMX bike chain. The tool increases the efficiency for removing or installing a chain. Using the chain breaker properly ensures that the rivet is driven cleanly into or out of the chain.

Things You'll Need

  • Chain rivet
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Instructions

  1. Removing Rivets

    • 1

      Fit a link along the chain's bottom run inside the chain breaker cradle. If necessary, turn the chain breaker handle counterclockwise to give the chain full clearance inside the cradle.

    • 2

      Twist the chain breaker handle clockwise. Turning the handle clockwise forces the chain breaker driving pin closer to the rivet in the side of the BMX chain. Make sure the chain breaker driving pin and chain rivet are aligned. If not, align the two before proceeding.

    • 3

      Turn the chain breaker handle clockwise once again, forcing the driving pin into the rivet and pushing the rivet from the other side of the chain.

    • 4

      Rotate the chain breaker handle counterclockwise to retract the driving pin.

    Installing Rivets

    • 5

      Fit the two ends of the BMX chain together. Press the tapered end of new rivet into the hole between the conjoined links.

    • 6

      Place the link with the new rivet inside the chain breaker cradle with the rivet and chain breaker driving pin facing one another.

    • 7

      Twist the chain breaker handle clockwise to force the chain breaker driving pin against the rivet. Be sure the two are aligned before proceeding further to prevent the rivet from going in crookedly.

    • 8

      Rotate the the handle further until the rivet is positioned in the center of the BMX chain. Some rivets include a guide pin that allows the rivet to be inserted more easily between the links. Once the rivet is installed, the guide pin emerges from the backside of the chain. In this instance, break off the guide pin from the end of the rivet.

    • 9

      Retract the chain breaker driving pin.