I win the dumbass of the day award!!  Trying to find TDC, I broke off a 1/4" round piece of dowel rod into the cylinder threw the spark plug hole!  Way to go Paul!!

The dowel rod somehow got 'bit' coming around to find TDC.  It's about 1/4" round and maybe 3/8"-1/2" long.  I almost got lucky fishing it out with a pick and narrow hemostats as it was still visible and kind of still hung up in the spark plug hole.  But alas, it broke free and is now floating around on top of the piston somewhere.  I've shook and rocked the bike trying to regain visibility, but no luck.  I tried a small vacuum but couldn't get good clean suction with the attachment I tried.  I can try compressed air, but I think that's just gunna blow it around in circles.

Idea>>>Help...  ????

Motor is sitting at TDC right now....

1) get the exhaust valves open and try to blow it out?
2) pour some gas in there and light it on fire?  (joking...bad idea)
3) leave it in there (ignore it) and hope it burns up and blows out when I get this bike running?  I'm worried about valve, seat, and guide damage if I try this route..

I'm not mechanically inclined enough to pull the head and go through all that.  My Clymers manual arrived today and just reading the process gave me a headache.  Plus, when Clymers tells you to rotate clockwise when it should be counter-clockwise doesn't instill much confidence in their instructions.

The wood is pretty soft and splinters pretty easily (why I couldn't really get it out with the pick and hemostats - it keep chipping away, so I got some out).

Joy, joy, joy!!!  Reading on the internet, I'm not the first person to do this exact same thing with a dowel rod looking for TDC.  I've used a straw in the past without issue, but thought I'd "improve" my tool this time... (dumbass!)

Thanks Dave.  Appreciate the floating it suggestion.  I really don't want to try to run it out.  The trick is to get it visible thru the plug hole.  I've tried level and leaning left and right.  I've run out of patience for today.

I wonder if the diesel fuel would break it down or swell it up...perhaps helping.  or maybe it would soften it up if I end up just taking my chances and leaving it in there.

Argh!

Hey Och!  It's on top of the piston.  I watched it drop in slooooow motion and slide over to the left side...

The fire idea!  Use my large metal industrial dust pan as a heat shield to protect the wiring and frame above the head, open the exhaust valves to create a flue, add lighter fluid thru plug hole, use a bbq grill flame thrower to ignite, add more lighter fluid as needed, broil at 550 for 10 minutes until estimated well done!  Let cool and blow out with compressed air...  

I also own a tool like this, its great for retrieving non magnetic parts. Saved me many a times.

Blow gun , rag , GOGGLES

Another dowel with a drop of Krazy Glue on the end.

Dave wrote on 11/17/23 at 03:24:35:



This one claims diameter of .99cm, I bought one at autozone a year ago, its probably around 7.5mm so it gets into tighter spots.

Thanks everyone and appreciate the sense of humor and knowing I’m not the only dumbass.  I’ve tried the gorilla glue on the end of a dowel rod method, but I can’t get it to stick on the end of the piece of dowel to clear through the plug hole.  It has to come out vertically as it won’t fit longways.  Today is a new day with fresh encouragement!!  Before I try again, I’m going for a ride on my other bike!!  It’s a beautiful day in Houston!  Sorry to all the folks that have to stash your bikes for winter!