Where did this screw come from

[Theo]

Okay, so in my other thread where I asked about cleaning the oil pan, I wrote how I discovered a loose bolt in the oil pan. Rather than it get buried in that other thread, I thought I should start a new one.

The bolt is 6mm thick, about 15-16mm long, and has a washer on it that has a diameter of 20mm. The bolt is rather unique in that it's such a thin bolt with such a big washer. The head has the number 7 stamped on top of it. I'm almost convinced that the PO dropped it in there when he was replacing the base gasket. Does anyone have a clue as to where it might have come from?
Thanks
-Theo

[doctorgonzo]

Remember what a good idea we told you dropping the pan was... now you see why.

[Nessism]

Clutch spring bolt would be my guess. Time to pull the clutch cover.

[Billy Ricks]

Clutch spring bolt would be my guess. Time to pull the clutch cover.

That's about the only thing that makes sense with the size of the washer.

[twr1776]

Theo, here is a not so good pic of my 850's oil pan. I am pretty sure this bolt is used to connect the crossover pipe to the pan via a mounting tab. Are you sure it came out from the inside of the pan?

[Theo]

Clutch spring bolt would be my guess. Time to pull the clutch cover.

That's what someone else mentioned but I can't see how it ended up there. Also the clutch had all of the bolts, granted they weren't the stock ones but they were all there. Don't worry though, I replaced all of them with the OEM replacement bolts already. Although, the bolt also seems a little short to be a clutch bolt. But it's possible that you guys are correct. I emailed the PO to see if by any chance he remembers dropping a bolt in the engine. Hopefully he'll get back to me soon with helpful information.

Remember what a good idea we told you dropping the pan was... now you see why.

I'm not sure if I am glad that I pulled the pan. I could have been blissfully ignorant of the problem and continued on happily ever after.

[Theo]

Theo, here is a not so good pic of my 850's oil pan. I am pretty sure this bolt is used to connect the crossover pipe to the pan via a mounting tab. Are you sure it came out from the inside of the pan?

Honestly I'm not entirely sure it came from inside. I pulled the pan, and then I looked down in the tray I put down to catch all of the oil and there was a screw. But you are right, that does look exactly like it. Can you by any chance get a better picture. I'm having trouble figuring out where on the engine that is. Thanks.
-Theo

[twr1776]

Theo, I will try later today if possible. You should be able to see the threaded hole in the bottom of you pan, I do not think it goes all the way through. The mounting tab should also be still attached to your exhaust crossover. The reason I remembered this bolt was that it had partially worked its way loose and I re-tightned it when I went through it last winter.

[Theo]

Theo, I will try later today if possible. You should be able to see the threaded hole in the bottom of you pan, I do not think it goes all the way through. The mounting tab should also be still attached to your exhaust crossover. The reason I remembered this bolt was that it had partially worked its way loose and I re-tightned it when I went through it last winter.

I looked at the bottom of my pan and the only holes there are for the screws that hold it in place on the engine. I also looked at the part fisches for both of our bikes, and it looks like your bike uses a crossover that screws into the bottom of the engine whereas mine does not. So I guess I'm back at square one. I appreciate your help though.

Also, I got an email from the PO and he doesn't recall a screw falling in. He also said what everyone else is saying that it looks like a clutch bolt, but he never touched that, the PPO did. ......

[rphillips]

I must be missing something. The clutch spring bolts I remember are much longer than that, & aren't threaded all the way. The washer is the only thing that resembles anything from the clutch.

[chef1366]

I still say it looks like an engine mount bolt. Either from the bottom or at the three bolt plates.

[Larry D]

Just put it all back together and see where you have a bolt missing.........

[jwhelan65]

Well... it says number 7 on it , probably goes in the number 7 hole then.

[chef1366]

Well... it says number 7 on it , probably goes in the number 7 hole then.

Bogie!!!
....

[jwhelan65]

Bogie!!!
....

Hey, that means I'm one over par right? I wasnt to far off...