Can't find clip in crankshaft

GoldenMotor.com

Chaz

Well-Known Member
Jun 3, 2012
1,004
72
48
Vancouver, British Columbia
You can get it out with a magnet fisher. If you don't have one you can use a long screwdriver with a strong magnet close to the handle or a wire coat hanger, same idea. MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LOSE THE MAGNET IN THERE.

best to tape it to the screwdriver or coat hanger if that's what you use.
 

2door

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 15, 2008
16,302
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Littleton, Colorado
If the engine is still installed on the bike you might have to remove it and turn the engine up-side-down and shake it. Do this over something that will be easy to see the clip if it falls out to be sure you found it. Preferably something white, like an old bed sheet.

If you're like me it will hit the floor and disappear, never to be seen again. The Garage Gremlin will get it and hide it.

Tom
 

Chaz

Well-Known Member
Jun 3, 2012
1,004
72
48
Vancouver, British Columbia
Okay. Try this. Wrap the magnet in one layer of very thin cloth like a t shirt. Hold the engine case up to your ear and use the wrapped magnet on the outside of the case, most likely around the bottom. You should be able to hear the clip moving when it gets in the magnet's field. At least you will confirm that it is actually in there.

You have to get it out. Once you know for sure it's in there then try to shake it out. Have you checked all around the area on the ground just in case it didn't fall in there?

So I guess by now you know next time to put a rag around the hole so nothing falls in when you are working on it.

good luck man, I hope you get it out soon
 

2door

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 15, 2008
16,302
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Littleton, Colorado
And always remember, just because you cannot find it, it hasn't disappeared...

Steve
Obviously you've never dropped anything on my garage floor. Not only do they disappear but they travel into another dimension. :(

I've dropped small objects and watched them disappear right in front of my eyes never to be seen by human eyes again.

I'm a firm believer in Garage Gremlins and what they can do.

I have one that lives in my garage that I've named, 'Stupid SOB'. Whenever he hides a tool or a small part I say, "Okay, you stupid SOB, what did you do with it?"

He knows his name and I'm sure he sits in the rafters laughing at me as I struggle to locate whatever it was that he took and hid. He's devious and sometimes waits until I turn my back or look away from my work and that's when he climbs down and steals away with my small but precious item that he knows I'll need in the next few minutes.

Sometimes he takes them, hides them then after he's watched me search fruitlessly for an hour, he'll put it back exactly where I've looked several times. He's cruel and get's his jollies watching me suffer.

Stupid SOB. I have no doubt that the OP has a Garage Gremlin that took that clip and is watching, probably reading this thread and laughing his butt off.

Tom
 

sbest

Member
Nov 3, 2015
343
2
18
Nova Scotia
Ha! I meant just because you can no longer find the clip in the crankcase, you cannot cheerfully assume it has disappeared. I've seen that many times.

"I can't find it so I'm just puttin' it back together!"

It's always gone bad...

Steve
 

daveet6666

Member
Nov 3, 2015
125
19
18
59
Omaha ne
I know its in there I saw it disappear it fell in one of the two skinny sides tried shaking the **** out of the bike sticking knife magnets screwdrivers no luck! Been working on it in my bedroom searched floor hundred times! Anybody know what would happens if I didn't find it and put engine back together?
 

daveet6666

Member
Nov 3, 2015
125
19
18
59
Omaha ne
Thanks guys still can't see it or find it! My next question is is there any way to find it without tearing whole engine apart? It doesn't split in half does it? Lol probably not
 

Chaz

Well-Known Member
Jun 3, 2012
1,004
72
48
Vancouver, British Columbia
Just in case you didn't think to do it - rotate the crank around a bit while banging the case with piece of wood or rubber mallet. Hold the case upside down and side to side etc.

option 2

fill with liquid nitrogen, wait five minutes then whack it with a sledgehammer
 

Slogger

Member
Sep 8, 2014
544
4
18
nohio
I've been trying to come up with some way to move it around in there, so you can find it.
I'd take the engine out of the frame, turn it upside down and use a compressed air hose and airchuck to blow some wind in there. Sooner or later it'll drop out the cylinder hole.
Put something down, like an old white sheet so you can see it easier and keep it from getting lost again.

Always block off your bottom end when that hole is exposed, everything will fall in, it's Murphy's Law in action.
 

Slogger

Member
Sep 8, 2014
544
4
18
nohio
I wonder if the strong magnet rotor could have it stuck to the seal on that side..
If all else fails, pull off the rotor and try it.
It's a strong magnet.
 

daveet6666

Member
Nov 3, 2015
125
19
18
59
Omaha ne
Yeah slogger great ideas ! I am no mechanic I tried all ideas explain ed above! Probably is hooked on that magnet ! Think I'll spend 129 just get a new kit
 

YesImLDS

Member
Jun 29, 2013
960
12
18
Columbia, Missouri
Get a pulley puller for $5 and take it apart and find the clip. Chances are it's already gone and you didnt see it, but $5 for piece of mind ain't bad either.
 

maniac57

Old, Fat, and still faster than you
Oct 8, 2011
4,484
22
0
memphis Tn
I know its in there I saw it disappear it fell in one of the two skinny sides tried shaking the **** out of the bike sticking knife magnets screwdrivers no luck! Been working on it in my bedroom searched floor hundred times! Anybody know what would happens if I didn't find it and put engine back together?


BANG! CRUNCH! CLANK!
*skids to a stop or wrecks*