So I was setting the timing on my BSA m20 and I rolled the wheel too far forward and lost the kebab stick in side the cylinder. Aww f&ck! I have a copper annealed head gasket, is it ok to reuse that and do I have to re anneal it when I take the head off to get the stick?

not a chance I can just leave it in there and it will burn up and go away?

email (option): Jeff.robbins75@gmail.com

I know its tempting, but don't try and start it!

sods law says you will have a squish clearance between head and piston, smaller than the diameter of the stick.
And if things didn't go clash in then, it may/could hold exhaust valve open when the bits try and exit.

I must admit I've lost things in cylinders I the past - that's why I always make a big loop on the end of any welding rod or similar before fiddling.

Bit of a b****d though when the end drops off your DTI - yes you could get it out with a magnet, but it usually drops down the transfer or the exhaust port in a 2 stroke .....

Yes you should re-anneal your head gasket - or then again just slap some aluminum paint on it (hammerite works as well)

Anyone dropped anything else 'interesting' in an engine

I would be tempted to have a fish through the plug hole. I had a sort of similar problem involving a petrol tank and I used a blob of softened blu tack on the end of a stick. Blu tack on the end of a bit of fence wire? Form a small loop or tang on the end of the wire so the blob will not easily fall off.........and if it does, you are no worse off. Tip the bike over so you get the kebab stick where you can locate it.

email (option): Fergusanckorn@icloud.com

('I would be tempted to have a fish through the plug hole.')

You'll never get a fish through the plug hole..

I find Kebabs always result in trouble... ...Ian

Just turn the bike upside down and shake vigorously...

Termites?

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

I wonder if you could grab it with one of these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24-FLEXIBLE-SPRING-BENDY-LONG-REACH-THIN-CLAW-PICK-UP-TOOL-LIFTING-GRAB-GRABBER-/271200183677?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f24ca657d

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

YES That's a most useful tool, especially for OAP when you loose something on the floor of your workshop...

I dropped an IKEA pencil down mine...Even with the Norton's 18mm plug, hooking it out was not a success - Off With it's Head !

Thanks everyone for feedback. Looks like I have my nights activity set for me. :)

email (option): jeff@infinitymedspa.com

L shaped welding rod next time!

email (option): sacombsashtrees@hotmail.com

I made myself this handy tool for the purpose:



The 1/4" cycle bolt fits threads of the timinghole, the spoke can only move vertically and the top of the bolt-head can be easily adjusted to the lower groove on the spoke.

Cheers, Michiel

email (option): m.wijbenga@hotmail.com

Very nice, mine is a bit more basic, an old valve with permanent marker on the stem for the depth markings.