OK got it off--no big deal. I now understand the concept. I just tucked a shop rag under it and let it hang over the open side--nothing shot out or fell and if it would have, it would have fallen on the floor. I can't imagine how anyone could let it fall in that oblong hole. So anyway, mine is at 18mm out and there's another 14mm or so still inside. I'm thinking I could have gotten a few more miles out of it, but why chance it. I'll be sending it to Verslagen to rework it as soon as I save a few bucks. I know I should get a new chain and guides too, but $$ is scarce. I have other necessary things to worry about also, such as tires and brakes. I hope to get 1 more summer out of it and then maybe o-haul the motor.
Well anyways, thanks for the advice. Funny how the things that sound the most horrible, sometimes end up being easy as pie.

And as far as stuff jumping off and running down the rabbit holes, your current cam chain tensioner job will involve a small circlip and a small shouldered bolt and a small spring and a larger spring all of which have been held captive against their will since the bike was built on the Japanese assembly line.

Either one of which will scream "FREEDOM" louder than Mel Gibson did when wearing his insides on the outside & they will bolt for them rabbit holes just as soon as you free them up enough to do so.

    then it will be you a screaming at them trying to get them out of the deep dark oily nook & cranny filled sump

Yeah yeah, feeble old man -- I know.  

Not like I don't get reminded often enough by reality, but now Drums has got to tell me out loud no less .....

Still, for the delicate handed ladies among us (or the feeble old men) it is still a good trick to know about once you have a second hole to put the bit but into anyway.   Makes the job a lot easier especially when your holes put you most of the way into full compression.

And you did ask how to kept the ratchet pawl from engaging when you didn't want it to engage, so I told you.