Using a template to store...
Using a template to store the case bolts eliminates all of the trail and error when it's time to stitch the whole thing back together.
How many times have you removed a series of bolts, for instance side-cover screws, only to realize during reassembly that they were all different lengths and you didn't have a clue which one went where?
Oh, not ever, huh? Well I have, and since I dislike doing things by trial and error, I've adopted this simple method to keep track.
On a plain sheet of cardboard, draw a rough outline of the cover you're about to remove. Mark the approximate location of each fastener. If you're as easily confused as I am, you can even number them so you know where to start. As each screw is removed, poke a hole in the cardboard that corresponds with that screw's location in the case and stick the screw through it.
It's an absolutely fool-proof way to keep your bolts from rolling around the garage floor, and, during reassembly it's a simple matter of selecting the correct screw for the location.
It's not exactly rocket science, but it works just fine.
For more articles on how to maintain and modify your motorcycle, see the Tech section of MotorcycleCruiser.com.