Valve Shim Fell in Crankcase!! :(

[Dingus]

I can't believe it, but I did it. I dropped a valve shim while removing the cam assembly. I'm 99% sure that it went down into the crankcase. I fished around with a magnetic tool for a while but with no luck.

I'm a novice mechanic and I can't visualize what's down "there". Am I looking at tearing the entire engine down now? ?

[Leardriver]

Hmm-I had "a friend" do that. The shim was in the left side pasage where the cam chain goes, and if you remove that left side cover, it is usually visible and retrieveable. It adds another 30-45 minutes to your re-assembly, though.

This happens all the time, I imagine, and after you, oops, I mean "my friend" do it the first time, you start laying a rag over that opening.

I have turned my bike upside down before to get stuff out of it that fell into the crankcase. Anything is better than taking the motor apart.

[FOUR STOKED]

If you just have a telescoping type magnet, I would invest in a quality flexible magnet. It might be enough to grab it. I assume it fell down in the cam chain hole so it might be underneath the lower cam chain gear.

[Mike546]

Did you see it fall because sometimes they stick to the inside of the bucket and you can't find them.

[Shawn_Mc]

If you cant find it with a magnet, just pull the alternator cover and look. Its one gasket and a couple wires...no big deal.

[Dingus]

If you cant find it with a magnet, just pull the alternator cover and look. Its one gasket and a couple wires...no big deal.

Ah, that's what I wanted to hear!!! Thanks!!!