Drive Shaft Bolts

[Adrian]

Now here's the thing - today having got the motor back in the frame at last I bolted the drive shaft flange to the gearbox output flange. Tight and awkward but I got there.
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However I managed to lose one of the bolts into the swing arm housing - I listened to it rattle its way down to the bottom. I have a couple of spare bolts so that's not a problem.
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I'm of a mind to leave it there. One chap on this forum - some while ago - did the same thing and left it inside. His reasoning was that as it sits in a bath of oil at a slight downward angle - it wasn't going to cause problems at all - and even if it did find its way back up to the flange - highly unlikely in his opinion - it wouldn't do any damage as it would only poke thru the gap it originally fell thru.
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This chap ran his bike for years like this with no adverse effects. This is why I am leaning towards leaving it there rather than strip down the entire back end.
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So any comments - opinions - or stories of anyone with the same experience is most welcome. I'm not doing any work on it for a couple of days so I might be persuaded to pull it apart if necessary.

[Tony Smith]

Sorry mate but get it out.

[donbmw]

I would never leave a bolt some place where there is something turning. Asking for trouble.

[Bob_Roller]

There are several assemblies the bolt can get tangled up in, when the drive shaft is rotating .

I would suggest trying a magnetic pick up tool, or mechanical finger tool .

Worst case scenario, remove the swing arm and retrieve the lost bolt .

[georgesgiralt]

You have an easiest way than removing the swing arm.
Remove the rear wheel and the shocks and put the rear drive as up as it would go. The bolt will/could come out.
I'm not you, but I won't leave it here at any cost. Those bolts are very strong and if they seize, it will hold... Have you had a flat on a rear wheel at high speed ? If yes you are able to imagine a seized rear wheel .... and its consequences.

[Adrian]

OK thanks guys - out it will come [ch128521]