Chain Breaker / Press Tool Kit

Motorcycle Chain Breaker & Chain Press Tool

A chain breaker is a must-have for wrenching on a vintage Honda — but we got tired of the sloppy, fragile ones on the market, so we built our own and fixed the problems that plague lesser tools. This is the chain breaker and press tool we use here every day.

Why You Need This

You can’t do a chain job without one. Whether you’re shortening a new drive chain, breaking an old one off, or pressing a master link onto a cam chain, this is the tool that does it — and unlike the cheap ones, it won’t bend its center pin or strip its threads the first time you lean on it.

What Makes Ours Better

• Tighter thread tolerances — cheap chain tools have sloppy thread engagement, and that play is what bends center pins and strips threads under load. Ours has positive thread engagement for smooth operation and far less chance of ruining the tool.
• Locking anvils — on most tools the base anvil falls out the moment you tilt it (right when you’re fighting a cam-chain master link). Ours friction-fit into the lower body and stay put at any angle.
• Replaceable press pins — the pins are a wear item, and replacements are available by size, so the tool keeps working for the long haul.

Specifications

Which Drive Chain Does My Bike Use?

Drive-chain pitch by model (the tool handles all three):

• 428 — CT90 / Trail 90, CB175 / CL175 / SL175
• 520 — CB200 / CL200
• 530 — CB350 / CB360 / CB450 / CB500T

How to Use It

Difficulty: Intermediate

1. Put a few drops of oil on the tool’s threads each time you use it.
2. Clamp the link you’re working securely in the tool — a 14mm wrench tightens the main clamp screw against the link (and can turn the press screw, too, instead of the bar).
3. Keep everything aligned as you press; you’ll feel resistance but smooth action. If the tool binds, back off the center pin, re-snug on the chain, and try again.
4. For our press-style cam-chain master links, the inner press pin isn’t used — just the guide, which presses the plate onto the inner link.

Our setup video walks through configuring the tool for each job — breaking a drive chain, breaking an endless cam chain, and installing rivet- and press-style master links:

Frequently Asked Questions

What chains does it work on?

It breaks and presses 428, 520, and 530 drive chains, plus cam, balance-shaft, and electric-starter chains. It installs both rivet-style and press-style master links and stakes end pins — so it covers just about every chain job on a vintage Honda.

How many links does my chain need?

There’s no single right number — sprocket sizes have changed over 50 years, so two of the same model can need different lengths. The safe move is to count your own: buy the longest chain, then press out the excess to match. You can only remove links, never add them, so count twice before you break it. See our guide on how to count motorcycle chain length.

Can it press a cam-chain master link?

Yes — that’s one of its main jobs. It installs press-style cam-chain master links (and the CB450 / CL450 / CB500T open-install) using the guide rather than the center pin. Our setup video shows the exact configuration.

Do replacement pins come with it?

The press pins are a wear item. If you ever bend or wear one, replacements are available by size — just reach out and we’ll get you the right one.

You Might Also Need

• Roller Drive Chain (530) — for CB350 / CB360 / CB450; also stocked in 428 (CT90, CB175) and 520 (CB200)
• Cam Chain — cam chains stocked for every model from CT90 to CB750
• Chain Lube — fresh lube once the new chain is on

Last updated: June 2026