Anyone ever dropped a circlip down in the motor on 450r?

[leager440]

You guessed it, I'm in the middle of my rebuild, I was prying a circlip out and it just sort of popped out, I can't find it anywhere on my garage floor, I didn't really see where it went, but sure looked like it headed down in the motor. I had a towel and everything covering it up, but I think I heard it fall down in there. It was on the timing chain side. I've look down by the crank and don't see anything, it's a little tougher to see down where the timing chain is, but I don't see anything. I sure hate to put this motor back together not knowing! Anyone have a good idea on how to get it out if it is in there, or how to even find out if it's in there, without splitting the cases that is! Thanks,

[GPracer2500]

Can you get to where you think it fell by taking the timing-chain-side crankcase cover off?

I dropped a washer in my 400EX once and it fell down where the timing chain is. I took the cover off and was able to get it.

Other options are magnets (tough but maybe you'll get lucky) and removing the engine and turning the whole thing upsidedown.

[leager440]

See, that's what I was wondering about. I just put a new stator in a few weeks ago and can't remember if the timing chain is accessable from there. Could I see the bottom of the timing chain by pulling that side cover off or do I have to split the cases?

[GPracer2500]

Not quite sure on a 450r--I'm sure someone around here knows.

[Kansas T]

I did that once. A magnet works great.

[wanta450]

it could be stuck to the magnet on your stator or flywheel

[leager440]

So you are saying that if something were to fall down into the timing chain hole, that it would be accessible through the left side cover, right?