Black hole under handlebars

[wd5gnr]

I popped the little plastic part out of the center of my 2013 RT handlebars in anticipation of mounting a phone there. I fumbled the piece when it popped out and it slid down the ridiculous crevice around the handlebars. No luck with a flashlight and mirror -- I think it fell further down.

I now have a the whole side down but still can't see where it went. Any sage advice? I can't be the only one who's lost something down there? Should I check the Bermuda triangle?

Update: Ok if this happens to you, try this FIRST: pop the speaker grille and reach down inside. That worked for me. Now I have to button the bike back up.

The service manual talks about removing the acoustic panels with 2 bolts. There are three, but there is also a blind something attaching it under the bottom panel. I assume to get it off I'd have to pull the bottom panel first regardless of what the service manual says. But for now, I'm happy.

 

[Lin]

Yup! Been there myself. Now, anytime I'm removing a screw etc., I look for those little gaps and cover them with a rag first. You are right to call it a "black hole". The gravity well sucks in all loose parts in the blink of an eye.

 

[Bob Denman]

These bikes are HUNGRY!! :shocked:
They will eat anything that isn't secured properly...
Mine has eaten enough nuts, bolts, washers, and tools to crap out an entire bike! :gaah:

 

[donec]

I started using the Poster Putty tacky stuff they sell at Amazon and most discount/hobby/dollar stores in either white, yellow or blue. I put a piece of it in the end of the screw driver or bit and then press it against the screw/whatever and it sticks to the screw driver etc. I also stick some of it to a short dowel and then stick it to small pieces to keep from loosing them. Works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Duck-Removabl...&ie=UTF8&qid=1384708896&sr=1-1&keywords=tacky

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

I dropped a screw from the handle bars and it was laying right on top of the frame at the from of the glovebox. Lucky for me I was able to get it with a magnet.

 

[cyclelover63]

Anybody who has ever removed their seat to install a backrest can tell you about those square plastic nuts on the back seat pivot bolts!!:banghead:

 

[3 Wheel Addict]

Anybody who has ever removed their seat to install a backrest can tell you about those square plastic nuts on the back seat pivot bolts!!:banghead:

Little glob of silicon and they never get lost again, keep the glob at the forward end of the slots for adjustments if needed.

 

[Yfactor]

Anybody who has ever removed their seat to install a backrest can tell you about those square plastic nuts on the back seat pivot bolts!!:banghead:

:agree: Or replacing a seat. Thank goodness for small hands and fingers and a sensitive touch feeling around in those dark holes.

 

[ARtraveler]

Talk about a futuristic machine. The :ani29: has at least two fully functioning "black hole" positions. I still have not found the Corbin fairing screw from the 2009 farkling. Same thing will happen if you try working on a seat. The suggestion about putting down a rag or towel is a good one.