So I went ahead and got the BB 351 kit. Started installing it tonight. Right off the bat did I boner move. While attmepting to put the new piston on I sprung one of the securing rings down into the engine. I was a little over zealous and should have stuffed a towel down there to prevent that. Anyway, looked and looked and can not find it. Two ways to rectify, one bad and one good. Put it together and run the beast and grind that little bastard up and let ut come out in the oil ( I know, bad idea) or take it to the shop and have them get into the tranny and fish the bugger out since it ain't anywhere around the opening where the cylinder sits. Ideas? Be nice.

 

Pull the motor and shake it upside down.

 

Ouch! That sucks. You could try fishing around down in there with a strong magnetic pick up tool. I would not count on the engine grinding it up, those ring are pretty hard.
Go fishing..... that's all I got.

Hope you get it out.
Dan

 

I knew I could count on someone to make some sort of smart *** comment. I appreciate the joke at my expense. Although, I suppose I deserve it. Did the fishing thing, didn't catch anything. Could I pull the clutch and have a better view of something there. I took the cover off and removed the springs but then hit a dead end as the wheel with the nut in the middle looks to need a special tool to remove. Oh well, if no one else has any other ideas then I guess I am opening up the wallet.

 

Got some strong friends; no need to remove motor, just turn the whole bike downside up and shake it ....

 

I don't know...I'd be tempted to use a hoist and turn the whole bike upside down. Rotate the motor a bit at the flywheel and putz around in the case opening with a skinny magnet and a bright shop light. If you do this, remove the battery and plug the openings of the loose coolant hoses with cloth or paper towel. That circlip is probably sticking to the case or crank by a film of oil. I'd get a can of brake cleaner and spray it heavily into the opening with the motor upside down. I'd try a lot of things before having pull the motor and/or take it to a shop...compressed air, taking the engine side covers off, praying.

 

Along the same line as TNC suggested.....if you hoist the bike upside down I would lift it from the back letting the front hang down, that way the clip will hopefully slid forward in the crankcase and stay away from the trans. Then use the magnetic pick-up tool to fish around.

Good luck.

 

I think zomby was being serious.
I was just thinking you should look around very well outside the engine. Maybe it didn't actually go into the crankcase. Look around on the floor. Sweep every thing up and sift through it. Just thinking out loud here.
Dan

 

Perhaps oil residue is holding it in a place that it is pinned, is there any way to flush it chemically without messing up the clutch plates?

 

If you could train a small mouse.......


Sorry