Do these things just happen to me???

[FLAVALK]

Today I replaced the the rear tire, rear brakes, fluid, etc...I have Viking pipes so its easy just to remove the cans and leave the headers in place when removing the rear wheel. After I got everything done I was reinstalling the right side exhaust can and was having a hard time getting the exhaust bolts aligned with the hanger. Sooo, I loosened both hanger bolts but it still wouldn't quite line up. Sooooo, my next step was to remove the upper hanger bolt to make things easy. Well when the bolt came out, it fell and hit my right knuckle and bounced sideways directly into the header opening    DAMN! I got my flashlight and could just barely see the head of the bolt laying about 10" inside the inner most header pipe.....CRAP! At this point I had two solutions going through my head. I could pick the bike up, flip it over and shake the bolt out or just remove the header and shake it out.....I was pissed and didn't want to remove the header since I didnt have a set of exhaust gaskets on hand. . However, after consuming a Yengling or two, I decided to fetch a small stout ceramic magnet that I keep on hand, tape it to a clothes hanger...and go fishing. I'll be cursed...it worked  .

BTW I got those seized  pistons out of the rear caliper with compressed air just like someone here advised. I cleaned em up, reinstalled new seals and now they're good as new. The rear splines still look fantastic so I will just keep on doing what I've always done....use Guard Dog moly-grease

[Kelm1]

Good thinking with the magnet. That's one of them situations where you couldn't do it again if you tried. 

[R J]

I have Vikings and I've never removed the cans to get  the rear wheel off.

I take the shocks off instead......    Much easier........

I ground a point on the lower bolts to make the alignment easier....   Push the bolt in gently and let it find center, then turn it a few turns and it will start and thread right on in.......      Ground the head like this =====>     ='s are the bolt.

[FLAVALK]

I have Vikings and I've never removed the cans to get  the rear wheel off.

I take the shocks off instead......    Much easier........

I ground a point on the lower bolts to make the alignment easier....   Push the bolt in gently and let it find center, then turn it a few turns and it will start and thread right on in.......      Ground the head like this =====>     ='s are the bolt.

I find that by removing the cans, especially the right side, it makes torqing the four pumpkin nuts much easier. I can also do a better and more detailed clean-up job on the bike as well as the cans themselves. They only take maybe 5-minutes/side to remove, and for me it's just easier when the exahusts are out of the way.

[iliveforcurves]

FLAVALK, did you consider just starting the engine and blowing the bolt out?

[FLAVALK]

FLAVALK, did you consider just starting the engine and blowing the bolt out?

Hmmm, that might work......but the bolt is 14mm and about an inch long...so it has some weight to it. What would have been cool though is to fire up the 'ol girl with only headers in my garage at 10:00 PM. I'm sure my wife and neighbors would have been impressed   

[Mikey]

I would have tried that first... just cuz i like the noise! 

[Michvalk]

I have owned a mechanics magnet for years. Small powerful magnet on a stick. I have size 141/2 fingers and always drop bolts, nuts, washers in a size 6 space. Has saved my bacon on many occasions. I think I got mine in a cheep tool rack in an autoparts store for 1.99 or some such price. Well worth the investment.

[9Ball]

I have owned a mechanics magnet for years. Small powerful magnet on a stick. I have size 141/2 fingers and always drop bolts, nuts, washers in a size 6 space. Has saved my bacon on many occasions. I think I got mine in a cheep tool rack in an autoparts store for 1.99 or some such price. Well worth the investment.

I have a couple of the magnets on telescoping rods (like an antenna) that I keep in the toolbox.  Always seem to use them whenever I'm working on the bike....

very useful tools

[Big Rig]

I think we are all missing the point...Beer is the best tool to have in the shed!!!

[john]

" Do these things just happen to me "     ???     
don't think it for another minute ...