screws and nuts and bolts, oh my! (2 part question)

[DonGee]

I've owned this bike all of six months and as much as I like it, it does cause some aggravation sometimes. In the course of attaching a pigtail to the fusebox and mounting saddlebag supports , plus looking into the possibility of mounting my throw-over bags under the seat, I've had to remove the side covers, the fuse box cover, and the seat. As a result, I've managed to lose a total of four screws/bolts. Note, they didn't fall to the ground where I could just pick them up. No, they fell into the bike somewhere. What's worse is they seem to tease me and let me see them lying where I just can't quite get at them easily. I go get my magnet ended grabbing tool and am able to touch it just lightly enough to send it further into the bowels of the machine. Okay, apparently fat fingers and a lack of coordination don't help. This isn't encouraging when I start to think about having to change the air filters. So, I'm wondering...

Question #1:
Is there a favorite place for these damn screws to hide once they fall in the bike? I haven't had to deal with the battery yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to find them sitting in the battery holder box, resting comfortably. Anywhere else I should be looking where they're likely to be hiding?

Question #2 (which might make question #1 less important):
Is there a cross-reference somewhere that will tell me the exact size of a screw/bolt if I have the part number? I don't have a huge problem with ordering the OEM screw for a buck or two, but between crazy shipping costs and having to wait a couple of days for them, if I can hit the local hardware store and get a couple for less than a buck and get them now, I'd prefer to.

There must be someplace i can look up a part number and see exactly what size it is.

Thanks.

[Lechy]

I have the microfiche on Google Drive, it has most but not all of the bolt sizes. PM me your e-mail and I will send you the link. The OEM service manual is also available.

[navigator]

You can get most replacement bolts at a hardware store.
Most common head sizes are 8mm, 10mm, 12mm. Also allen head.
Common nut hex sizes are 10, 12, 14, 17, and 19mm.
Most common thread sizes are:
M5 x .08, 8mm head.
M6 x 1.00, 10mm head
M8 x 1.25, 12mm head
M10 x 1.5, 14mm head.

[DonGee]

Thanks. I kind of figured an assortment like that would cover me. But as to which one replaces which part number, it looks like it sort of trial and error.

[navigator]

If you dropped the left side cover screw, I believe it is a short M5.

[DonGee]

Thanks. Yeah, that was one of them I dropped shortly after I bought the bike. I managed to replace that one...sort of. I had to wrap a little tape around a screw I had on hand just so it would bite a little better. What's funny is the guy who changed my tires and tubes mentioned it when I picked up the bike a few weeks ago. He happened to have the right size and replaced it.

The other ones are the hex head one for the right side of the seat in the middle, and the one at the front of the right side cover. Then when I took off the seat, I noticed the two that secure the ignitor unit were missing. It's not going anywhere because the seat holds it in place, but I'd still like to replace them, which also means the nuts that secure them. I may end up just getting the part numbers for all of them off the fiche and ordering them from my local dealer. That way I can just pick them up and avoid the shipping. Their prices are among the lowest I've seen for OEM parts. But they're still more than a buck apiece.

Although I may just take your suggestion of hitting the local hardware store. I can't think of a reason I couldn't replace a button head socket with a Phillips head or a hex head bolt as long as the size and thread pitch are right.

[navigator]

The seat bolts and the RS side cover bolt are all M6.

[DonGee]

Back from the hardware store where I grabbed a couple of M5 and M6 in different lengths. I ended up getting Phillips head screws rather than flange bolts only because they're a little easier to work with in tight spots. The only button head hex they had was in black, and I was looking for chrome to replace the original I lost. I'll go with the chrome phillips.