I took all yer advice and took my quick link off.
The clip anyway, the plate is fused on. I know it springs the pins outward but no pushing pulling or squeezing budged it. I had figured why guess at the chain condition when you can open a link and look. If the clip will come off after replacing it'll come off the first time you install it. Just put it round end rotating forward Some chains do require a big squeeze, maybe warming up the orings would help? my last new chain (DID 520)bent the clip like a taco. Rode to a track shop buddies and he said to just keep pushing and it flattened out.
So clean and lube and get a chain next week. I use the see if the chain is loose when pulled in back of the sprocket test and it's had little play. One bike had a warning sticker on the swingarm telling you how bad the chain was based on where the axle located(stock gears only /proper slack)
@NinjaDoc