Good thread title!

 

best bet would be to trade it in on a new bike and be more careful next time.

 

Try a magnet on one of the other screws that hold the dash on..If it sticks to them then it will probably pull out the lost one. Otherwise take a pair of mechanical fingers and a flash light and try to locate it with the light and get it out with the mechanical fingers. If all that fails, taking the tank off is no big deal if you have a parts manual or a repair manual.
It would, in all likely hood be just fine, but I wouldn't leave it.
BTW Sears and auto parts stores sell magnets that are mounted to a telescoping rod, and the mechanical fingers, so that is what you should try. If that fails you can take the magnet off the stick and use it with the mechanical fingers to go fish.

 

I have a tool that is a light, magnet, mech fingers all on a flex cable. Its very small and should work for this ap real well. Picked this tool up at auto zone or advanced and couple of years back.

 

Go in and play dumb. Tell them there is a strange rattling in your tank. If they ask about a screw tell them you don't wrench on your bike.

 

Strange, people complain about dealers ripping them off, then turn around and tell someone to rip off the dealer. Pull the tank yourself or pay to have it done

 

OP, you should have waited till April 1 to tell such a story.

 

The problem with that is the dealer would have to duplicate the rattle if any and then it would probly take them weeks to find it!

 

Very true! I just thought it was funny that some one came up with that idea. In reality it would just be easier to remove the tank and get the screw out.

 

I don't complain about it as I don't go there. But my moto is.........Get them, before they get you!!