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[mrmagloo]

God this drives me nuts when you drop one of those two fairing screws in-between the forks. Short of taking the cover and everything apart to retrieve it, has anyone stumbled on any tricks to avoid all this? Naturally, I'm looking for REAL tips, not brainwaves about not dropping it in the first place!  I got lucky with a small magnet one time, but no such luck this time!

[hogasm]

install studs in the fairing

[ultrafxr]

I cram an old t-shirt down in the space below.  Even if you drop the screw it cannot fall into the nether regions.

[sadunbar]

Install studs...

Here's a couple photos...

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=58319.msg830903#msg830903

[grc]

Studs would be a good idea, but you still need to not drop the nuts.  I'd suggest one of 3 choices, the first of which is the one I use.

1.  Get a magnetic bit driver for the stock Torx screws.

2.  Replace the stock screws with a stud and nut combination, and use a magnetic socket to keep from losing the nuts.

3.  Replace the stock screws with hex head versions from the hardware store, use a mag socket.

Oh, I almost forgot.  You could also use the method some dealerships use.  After you drop the screw, just walk away and leave it as is.


Jerry

[Trimster]

Studs would be a good idea, but you still need to not drop the nuts.  I'd suggest one of 3 choices, the first of which is the one I use.

1.  Get a magnetic bit driver for the stock Torx screws.

2.  Replace the stock screws with a stud and nut combination, and use a magnetic socket to keep from losing the nuts.

3.  Replace the stock screws with hex head versions from the hardware store, use a mag socket.

Oh, I almost forgot.  You could also use the method some dealerships use.  After you drop the screw, just walk away and leave it as is.


Jerry

Reminds me of when I took mine into the dealer to have the compensator looked at (replaced). They left 2 derby cover screws in was all. Makes ya wonder.

[sadunbar]

Studs would be a good idea, but you still need to not drop the nuts.  I'd suggest one of 3 choices, the first of which is the one I use.

1.  Get a magnetic bit driver for the stock Torx screws.

2.  Replace the stock screws with a stud and nut combination, and use a magnetic socket to keep from losing the nuts.

3.  Replace the stock screws with hex head versions from the hardware store, use a mag socket.

Oh, I almost forgot.  You could also use the method some dealerships use.  After you drop the screw, just walk away and leave it as is.


Jerry

 

And I use a magnetic socket to install the nut.  Never dropped one yet - and much easier to line everything up...  

[Chains]

Always use a magnetic bit

[mrmagloo]

Thanks guys - Lots of great ideas for avoiding this in the first place, but look like I'm going to have to pull the turn signals and cover to retrieve the screw as the magnet isn't working.

[5.56mm]

I tape the screw on the screwdriver with a bit of electric tape and before I screw it completely, I remove the tape.

[mrmagloo]

I tape the screw on the screwdriver with a bit of electric tape and before I screw it completely, I remove the tape.

Now that's a nice idea!

[93FXSTS]

Dropped one in there myself...took an air blow gun with a long skinny nozzle and just started blowing around...screw eventually came out. Maybe I was just lucky tho!

[hogsty]

So far in four months of ownership I have dropped two that have disappeared.  I have no idea where they went.    I don't know the exact spot you're talking about, but apparently it is collecting these screws.  I try to always keep spares around.  I guess eventually wherever they go will fill up and then they;ll just bounce out ontpo the floor where it will only take me 20 minutes to find it.