What's this...?....

robs ss

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What's this...?....
...and why did it upset me so much
 
Nice try Baz - but not even close!
It has something to do with maintenance of my Commando
Gonna need a clue
Is it circular rod or does it have a flat spot? It's hard to tell from the photo
Is it delrin or similar?
 
You got it @Triton Thrasher . It's the tip of a plastic chopstick that I had used for years as a rough TDC gauge - good enough for tappet adjustment, etc.

About a year ago it must have got caught in a valve pocket on the Commando and broke the tip (55mm) off.
It's big and hard enough to hold a valve open so had to come out.
If I couldn't retrieve it through the spark plug hole the head would have to come off.
Moved that piston up close and poked with a piece of wire and torch until it was just under the hole.
Got a length of thick braid fishing line, about 120lb, made a ball-knot in the end and lightly taped it to the piece of wire.
Then dabbed a bit of super-glue on the ball knot and poked it down the hole onto one end of the chopstick piece.
Waited for a minute then pulled the piece out.

I only use paper drinking straws as a TDC tool now!

So... whatever you're using as that tool - make sure it's not breakable!!
Cheers
 
You got it @Triton Thrasher . It's the tip of a plastic chopstick that I had used for years as a rough TDC gauge - good enough for tappet adjustment, etc.

About a year ago it must have got caught in a valve pocket on the Commando and broke the tip (55mm) off.
It's big and hard enough to hold a valve open so had to come out.
If I couldn't retrieve it through the spark plug hole the head would have to come off.
Moved that piston up close and poked with a piece of wire and torch until it was just under the hole.
Got a length of thick braid fishing line, about 120lb, made a ball-knot in the end and lightly taped it to the piece of wire.
Then dabbed a bit of super-glue on the ball knot and poked it down the hole onto one end of the chopstick piece.
Waited for a minute then pulled the piece out.

I only use paper drinking straws as a TDC tool now!

So... whatever you're using as that tool - make sure it's not breakable!!
Cheers
I used a length of silicon tube with butter on the end, and indrectly applied my lungs to the other end to retrieve a not-long-enough pencil from the ES2. A stroke of 100mm needs a rather longer depth guage!
 
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