Magna Owners Of Texas

Public Forums => The Garage => Topic started by: hop along on March 12, 2013, 12:53:56 PM

Title: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hop along on March 12, 2013, 12:53:56 PM
Last night while adjusting throttle cables this part fell mysteriously onto the garage floor... do *you* have any idea what it is or where it came from?:

I don't think it is from the garage door opener, or the motorcycle lift.  But I certainly can't figure out where it may have come from on the Magna. 
FWIW it is a 2003 Magna, the radiator and chrome cover that hides the throttle cables were loose for work, and I had just cleaned and installed the air filter, as well as lubed the cables and hand lever pivots.

The worst is that I feel like I aactually have seen this part before but I'm clueless.  It's about 1/2" tall, each side is about 1/4" wide and it has a round base.

I am willing to buy a beer at MOOTmag for the first person to correctly identify this fastener  :grin:

Hop Along
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hootmon on March 12, 2013, 04:30:21 PM
Never seen it before, but interested to find out....
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hop along on March 12, 2013, 04:35:51 PM
A good friend at work says hes seen these types of fittings used as a 'dead end' cable connection.  e.g. cable has a crimped fitting that threads into this type of insert.  Add a locknut for a small amount of adjustability.

For the life of me though I cannot think of any cables on the Magna where one end would be fixed in place without much adjustment.  Idle adjustment screw perhaps but I made sure that was intact before reassembly

Hop Along
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: Smoked U on March 12, 2013, 04:46:35 PM
Fascinating.

Kinda long for a cap nut fastener.

I looked around on my '96 and can't see it anywhere. Looking through some microfiche diagrams, I don't see it either (frame, fender assemblies, exterior motor, brake assemblies).

If it was me, I would take it to the closest Ace hardware store and using their large selection of bolts, try to first determine whether it was a metric thread. If not, it doesn't go on the Magna.

If it is metric, is it a straight thread or a tapered thread (hydraulic fitting). I really don't think it could be any part of a hydraulic system, you would have a very big leak someplace, but tapered threads would indicate this.

Does it have a yellowish zinc finish? Not many fasteners on the Magna have that color.

It may be pixies at work.

Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hop along on March 12, 2013, 06:16:03 PM
Quote from: Smoked U on March 12, 2013, 04:46:35 PM
It may be pixies at work.
[/color]

If it's pixies I hope they channel the praying mantis that lived on my bike a few years back  :-D

Not a bad idea on matching the thread.  It does have a bit of a yellowish finish to it though visually, it doesn't look like there are tapering threads.  But hydraulics... that describes the motorcycle lift.... but no leak.  At least not last night when I went to bed!

Hop Along
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: Smoked U on March 12, 2013, 07:35:04 PM
Quote from: hop along on March 12, 2013, 06:16:03 PM
Quote from: Smoked U on March 12, 2013, 04:46:35 PM
It may be pixies at work.
[/color]

If it's pixies I hope they channel the praying mantis that lived on my bike a few years back  :-D



I heard that.

I am fascinated and respectful of praying mantises and walking sticks. While they do not bite or sting, there is something creepy about them crawling around on me and they get the 'ol backhand brush rather quickly.
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hop along on March 12, 2013, 08:39:39 PM
I was quite impressed it lived on my bike-there were times I couldn't find it, would ride to school, and after school I would find it on the speedo, where it would ride the short ride home.  Good thing for the 'screen!

Back on topic: my very cheap tap set has an imperial 10-32 that fits just about as perfectly as a cheap tap can fit.

I will have to look at the lift again.  Though when I got home just now I promptly lowered it after confirming no hidden hydraulic fluid leaks....

Hop Along
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: TLRam1 on March 12, 2013, 08:56:22 PM
Any bicycles around it could have come from, lawn mowers, etc.
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hootmon on March 12, 2013, 11:12:38 PM
I think Dave planted it there when he was over to help you with your throttle cables, just to drive you bat ____ crazy...
Mission accomplished Dave!
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: TLRam1 on March 12, 2013, 11:54:39 PM
Quote from: hootmon on March 12, 2013, 11:12:38 PM
I think Dave planted it there when he was over to help you with your throttle cables, just to drive you bat ____ crazy...
Mission accomplished Dave!

That sounds like a winner!

Especially since he knew so much about it.
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: Jerry G Turner on March 13, 2013, 05:21:42 AM
It's a square nut left by the po I don't drink beer but diet dr pepper will work. Lol
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: Smoked U on March 13, 2013, 09:46:28 AM
Quote from: hootmon on March 12, 2013, 11:12:38 PM
I think Dave planted it there when he was over to help you with your throttle cables, just to drive you bat ____ crazy...
Mission accomplished Dave!


A swing and a miss.


I was working on Snoopy's Magna not Hop Along's.

You guys report back to the minor leagues for further training.
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hop along on March 13, 2013, 01:52:35 PM
Well it would have been fun to have Dave up here to help; I did have one friend over but I'm pretty sure he didn't pull any shenanigans, he was too busy playing with his dog in the backyard :-)

Terry, there is a lawn mower (which needs to start doing its job soon...) and a bicycle nearby.  Neither have seen use lately, and the mystery part literally fell on the floor while working on teh throttle cable adjustments on the left side of the bike under the tank. 

Still thinking about it... usually when I have a technical design challenge at work building shows, I will often have a dream involving gorgeous women in which I have to *not* focus on them, but gather what they are doing to find a good solution to my technical problems.  Had one last night.  But not about this part, sadly.  Maybe I will have another dream tonight  :lol:

Hop Along
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hootmon on March 13, 2013, 02:10:42 PM
Quote from: Smoked U on March 13, 2013, 09:46:28 AM
Quote from: hootmon on March 12, 2013, 11:12:38 PM
I think Dave planted it there when he was over to help you with your throttle cables, just to drive you bat ____ crazy...
Mission accomplished Dave!


A swing and a miss.


I was working on Snoopy's Magna not Hop Along's.

You guys report back to the minor leagues for further training.
Trying to instigate where I can...
May be a swing and a miss, but there will be another pitch coming soon, I'm sure! :LOL
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: Smoked U on March 13, 2013, 09:12:27 PM

[/quote]
Trying to instigate where I can...
May be a swing and a miss, but there will be another pitch coming soon, I'm sure! :LOL
[/quote]

Ah, you know me well.


A little fun on the web site breaks up the dull long inactive periods of chatter.
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hootmon on March 13, 2013, 09:21:33 PM
Quote from: Smoked U on March 13, 2013, 09:12:27 PM

Quote
Trying to instigate where I can...
May be a swing and a miss, but there will be another pitch coming soon, I'm sure! :LOL

Ah, you know me well.


A little fun on the web site breaks up the dull long inactive periods of chatter.
I may not have started a witch hunt, but I have successfully hi-jacked this thread!
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: hop along on March 14, 2013, 08:13:25 AM
I may not have started a witch hunt, but I have successfully hi-jacked this thread!
[/quote]
Indeed, and I'm still carrying that little fastener in my pocket  :lol:
Hop Along aka Scott
Title: Re: Mystery internally-threaded fastener part that appeared on the garage floor...
Post by: Smoked U on March 14, 2013, 08:38:58 PM
Quote from: hop along on March 14, 2013, 08:13:25 AM
I may not have started a witch hunt, but I have successfully hi-jacked this thread!
Indeed, and I'm still carrying that little fastener in my pocket  :lol:
Hop Along aka Scott
[/quote]

Wow, this could be as deeply mysterious as the Da Vinci Code before it is solved. Empires could be at risk. Cats may become our masters.