KMC Chain Pins

I was looking at my chain, and I noticed that on one of the links, the pins stick out a little further than the others on one side.

It doesn't look like an installation problem, because they are the same as all the pins on the other side.

Does this somehow indicate that these are the pins to pull when removing the chain, or something?

Hard to say, really. Might be where the chain was put on and the pin wasn't pushed through properly?

I'd just nudge it back in with a chain tool or pliers.

Maybe its the split link? Where the plate that covers it has come off therefore sticking out more, as the pins are longer on that link. Check to make sure the other plate doesnt come off, otherwise you'll be riding and the chain will just separate. If youve lost the plate that keeps them on, you could get a new split link, or relpace the split link with a normal link from spare chain.

stompy I was looking at my chain, and I noticed that on one of the links, the pins stick out a little further than the others on one side.
It doesn't look like an installation problem, because they are the same as all the pins on the other side.
Does this somehow indicate that these are the pins to pull when removing the chain, or something?

It's probably the joining pin. Shimano chains, for example, have a joining pin that's as long as two normal pins stuck together. You push it through the broken link to a certain point (when the back matches the other pin depth) and then use pliers to snap the excess pin length off. I think Vegemite used a KMC chain but I can't remember if I used a master link or if it was a Shimano-style snap pin? Soz. I'd look it up for ya but I should be in bed.. :)

Yeah I have a KMC on my polo bike and the shitty joining link has long pins on it.

this seems about the right place to put this.
ahem.

while replacing my chain with a hangover and a screaming child in next door's garden and a veritable host of trouble in the other garden (it appears there's been fraudulent purchasing of heavy duty electrical goods next door and one of the business owners who have been stung came around yesterday) i dun fucked up.

i took too much out of the chain and then tried to rectify the wrong way. in the end i got the chain back together by knocking out the joining pins (see link)
http://www.kmcchain.com/index.php?ln=en&fn=service#7

with a chain breaker and then using them to rejoin the chain.

essentially

OOOOXOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOXOOOOOO

instead of
OOOOXXOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

where X = joining pins

this is still safe isn't it? they just protude a little more than the others. i can't see any difference between the joining pin link connector plate and the other chain link connector plates.....

yours in happy ignorance until the chain snaps.

Yeah it should be fine. I have used chains made of many bits of chains in the past and they've been fine. I think the reccomendation not too is a little like the recommendation not to mix different brands of batteries.

Buy a new chain. Install it correctly.

In my experience chains snap due to installation error so I wouldn't risk it.

i thought as much.

Actually have had two chains break while using them. This may be related...

Yeah it should be fine. I have used chains made of many bits of chains in the past and they've been fine. I think the reccomendation not too is a little like the recommendation not to mix different brands of batteries.

Actually have had two chains break while using them. This may be related...

I broke a chain on Saturday. Totally due to incorrect installation.
It was on my geared bike so it wasn't too dangerous. If you're fixed and brakeless, get it sorted.

Best not to listen to me at this time of day, its already 5 past nap.