I have a 2002 HD FXSTB night train. I decided to put a detachable sissy bar on it so my wife can ride more. I removed the negative cable as is suggested in the directions. I began the work to change the turn signals so the bar would fit and realized I did not have the correct star bit to remove a couple of the necessary bolts. I just figured I would put it back together and tackle the project once I got the tool. When I went to reattach the negative cable, the bolt that screws into the battery fell. I have looked everywhere. I got a light and magnet, I looked under and all around the bike. I cant find it anywhere. I have lots of extra nuts and bolts so I don't need the specific bolt, but I am afraid it fell somewhere that it could do damage if started. The way the bike is tilted on the kick stand, it should have fallen toward the belt. It appears to be very possible that it fell into the housing where the belt drive is located. <-- I may not be getting all the terminology correct. I am not a mechanic at all. I only tackled the sissy bars because the Harley shop said it was a piece of cake. Please help!!! Summer will be over very soon!!


Any help is greatly appreciated.


Wayne Hebb
calvinhebb@yahoo.com

If it is possible for a bolt to fall into it, what is theist way to find out if it did. And if so, how do you get it out?? I thought about getting a video camera on a snake like the type used in plumbing. or is it better to just remove the cover

 

My experience has been that when a bolt, screw, washer, etc. drops it somehow goes a long ways from where I think it should be, usually halfway across the garage and it takes me damn near forever to find it. Take out the battery and see if it is down there. I have gone through the same situation as you several times and was as worried as you and never has it resulted in any damage to the bike.

Take a chance. Live dangerously. Hook the battery back up, crank the bike, put it in gear and move it very slowly for about 5-10 feet and you will know if the bolt is caught in the belt and will have not caused any damage. There are a lot of little nooks and crannies on the bike for that bolt to hide and not cause any damage. Good luck.

 

^^^what he said^^^ OR...
Turn the bike upside down and give it a good shake...sorry I couldn't resist.

 

Or don't actually start it up but just push it a couple of feet forward or back

 

Find a replacement bolt and ride it, most times the screw or bolt will fall off harmlessly.

 

I lost a bolt last year installing midframe deflectors. Thought it maybe fell into the belt area and into the primary. Wound up it slipped down the top of the transmission between the tranny and the starter sitting on top of the tranny. There are grooves in the top of the transmission under the starter that can hide it well. Got a magnetized screwdriver, stuck it in there and surprise! Good luck and welcome to the forum.

 

I did try to shake it back and forth a few times, but I heard nothing. I am going to try several other things before actually taking anything apart or taking the bike to a shop. I just don't want to cause expensive damage.

 

Another thing you can try is a leaf blower if you have one. I highly doubt it's in your primary.

 

Haha. You have no idea how many times I've done stuff like that. It's there. Pull the battery. Try dropping another bolt and see where it goes. After an hour or so just say to hell with it.

 

Hate it when that **** happens.