Gearbox/flywheel hole plug fell in

I was wiping down the GRiSO and a gentle push popped the rubber plug into the gearbox.

How boned am I? Can I still ride? Do I need to get it out before running the engine? I'm not really equipped at home to take the gearbox apart, I would have to get it towed to the shop.
I tried to fish it out with a coathanger but the angles are too difficult, not to mention it's hard to direct light in there.

I've currently put some duct tape over the hole to prevent other junk from getting in.
Who the hell designed this thing!?

Nah, it won't do any harm. The ring gear will chew it up in no time and it'll get spat out of the slot in the bottom of the bell housing. I had on e customer way back when who came in for. Clutch job on his old Tonti. The older bikes had a much smaller slot. When I pulled the gearbox the bell housing was full of rubber munt and the remains of several plugs. When he picked the bike up I asked him about it and he thought they were a disposable service item! Every time he checked the ignition timing he just pushed the bung in and replaced it when he was finished with a new one!

He wasn't the shiniest tool in the drawer..........

Pete

Interesting issue, can't wait for the thoughts surrounding this issue
In relation to the 'loving' relationships we have with our GRiSO's I wonder what actually occurred with your 'gentle push' ???
Keep smilin
Caoi

Thanks for the reassurance Pete!  I just had the initial service done 2 days ago and was really looking forwards to a first long ride with the GRiSO this weekend.  Good to know those plans aren't dashed.

It really boggles my mind that they made this plug able to go both ways, it should only be able to come out!

Hahah Warden thanks for making me laugh!  I must admit you caught me, there were many light exploratory caresses and gentle loving probes going on while I got to know my new ride.

Jesus, I feel sorry for your girlfriend...

The plug is actually totally redundant nowadays, it's only there because nobody had bothered deleting it from the dies or machining software responsible for machining the castings.

wardentm wrote:

Interesting issue, can't wait for the thoughts surrounding this issue
In relation to the 'loving' relationships we have with our GRiSO's I wonder what actually occurred with your 'gentle push' ???
Keep smilin
Caoi

hahahahahah!!!! I spat my tea out when i read this!!

Pete Roper wrote:

The plug is actually totally redundant nowadays, it's only there because nobody had bothered deleting it from the dies or machining software responsible for machining the castings.

So is it fine to replace the rubber plug with something more rigid that won't fall in, or even weld something to cover the hole?

Yes, but why bother? Just pop another one in and never touch it again.

Pete

I regularly park near a playground and I'm concerned about kids opening the hole and throwing other things in there... rocks, screws etc.
Given that the plug fell through with just a little poke, it would give me more piece of mind to make it a bit more difficult to open.

Ummmm? Isn't that being just a teeny weeny bit paranoid?

My plug has gone hard and inflexible, so they improve with age.

ghezzi wrote:

My plug has gone hard and inflexible...

That's what she said!

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

ghezzi wrote:

My plug has gone hard and inflexible, so they improve with age.

Viagra!

Nah! Its just the Australian sun, like me avatar.

Had the same issue with my plug about two years ago Tozim. Was worried that it might cause a problem but it never has.