The occasional toolman's friend

[Constant Mesh]

Item D, Part# 07229

https://www.magnetsource.com/Consumer%20Pag...BenditCRFT.html

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetics-Bendable-T...9/dp/B000H5QRV4

The magnet diameter is 5/16".

While changing valve clearance shims on my FJR I dropped one down into an opening in the uncovered engine head -- one of the 3/4" D ports where one accesses a head bolt. A round shim rolls to parts unknown when it hits something. I thought I knew where it entered the head but I couldn't see it. I plugged the spark plug holes, the coolant pipe holes, and the chain tunnel will rags and paper napkings before I removed the camshaft. But I overlooked the holes above the head bolts. Don't ever attempt to handle shims with oily hands anywhere near the bike. Use a magnet to keep those guys secure.

I had magnet retrieval tools but they didn't bend and allow for looking in tight spaces and hidden spots. I bought this little tool at a local Ace Hardware and after bending it a bit I found and retrieved the shim in about 5 minutes.

A nice, useful little tool.

 

[sliick2]

Item D, Part# 07229
https://www.magnetsource.com/Consumer%20Pag...BenditCRFT.html

https://www.amazon.com/Magnetics-Bendable-T...9/dp/B000H5QRV4

The magnet diameter is 5/16".

While changing valve clearance shims on my FJR I dropped one down into an opening in the uncovered engine head -- one of the 3/4" D ports where one accesses a head bolt. A round shim rolls to parts unknown when it hits something. I thought I knew where it entered the head but I couldn't see it. I plugged the spark plug holes, the coolant pipe holes, and the chain tunnel will rags and paper napkings before I removed the camshaft. But I overlooked the holes above the head bolts. Don't ever attempt to handle shims with oily hands anywhere near the bike. Use a magnet to keep those guys secure.

I had magnet retrieval tools but they didn't bend and allow for looking in tight spaces and hidden spots. I bought this little tool at a local Ace Hardware and after bending it a bit I found and retrieved the shim in about 5 minutes.

A nice, useful little tool.

You are one lucky guy ! Seldom do those things come back from "the black hole" Go play the lottery !

 

[Gramps]

I carry one of those telescopic ones in my tool kit. Great thingy to have.

 

[Aasland]

So far I'm "5 for 5" for fishing things dropped into engine cases ... I have a couple magnetic dropped-item-finders too ;-)

When I finally learned my lesson and stuffed rags into the holes, I forgot to remove it and turning the engine over by hand the rag jammed in the cam chain ... such is life.