I was installing a new set of pipes last night when one of the flange bolt nuts fell down behind the gearcase cover. I took the belt cover back off but couldn't get to it still. Needless to say I needed another 1/2 an inch to get down to it as it was stuck in some hoses that fall just behind the two covers. So I looked at the service manual (not close enough) and decided to loosen the gear case cover hoping to get enough wiggle room to get a hook down to the nut that dropped. Now, I loosened it just enough that I knew some oil would drop which did but maybe an ounce or two (not much at all) and I never moved the casing more then an 1/8 of an inch but all bolts were undone and it was loose enough for some oil to drop. I've read different postings about guys wanting to paint their covers and they say to be careful about the cams coming out, needing a new gasket, etc.

So I realized in hindsight that I prob should not have did what I did. Looking for some advice here on what my next step should be. Learning 1 step at a time about my bike and some basic wrenching, pretty much change the oil and anything that I can bolt on/off but dont' know much about servicing it yet. unfortunately I sometimes go for it and read later...2009 iron 883..any advice on my next steps is much appreciated.

 

go to a hardware store and buy the telescoping type magnet or flexible shaft type magnet made to retrieve dropped metal things like that from tight spaces. you'll need it again for sure!

 

Thanks, yeah I have the craftsman one w/ the magnet and light in it that is stiff but telecopes but the head is about the size of a 1/2 socket and it was too big. Flexible one is a great idea to add to the tool chest. Ended up getting a hooked end pic in there to finally grab it but like I said, I had to loosen that cover to get it as that space was just so tight.

now i'm concerned w/ what I may have f'd up and need to fix before I fire it up...

 

my telescoping one has an end that is the size of a tip you would see on an am fm radio. so it is much smaller than yours.

 

Happens to me all the time. Take a piece of wire and a flashlight and fish it out. Make a little hook.

 

thanks for the tips fellas..any advice on the cover situation?

 

if it's your cam cover, backing it out just a 1/8 to even 1/2, you'd be fine. As long as you didn't take it off, you're ok. The only thing in there that you could possibly mess up, is pulling a cam gear out and having it rotate on you and mess your timing up. I seriously doubt you did any of that since alot of factors come in to that scenario and I don't think all the planets are inline with each other right now.

 

awesome news..yup it's the cam cover, right side of bike to the right of the belt cover. I had the hook pic down in there so as soon as I loosened it I was able to grab the nut same time as oil fell and I tapped it back tight with my hand beofre much fell out and it slid right back in. It all seemed good like nothing moved but i started reading all about cams moving, gaskets needing replaced, pressure built up on cams and push rods that would be released, etc. I don't know anything about this and want to be sure i didnt' mess anything up before I put the pipe back on and fire it up. anything else to be concerned with besides double checking my oil level?

 

one more thing, when I put bolts back on to secure the cover, I alternated top to bottom but didn't realize there was a set order...seems like it's pretty important...should I loosen and re-do in the proper order?