I was replacing my fuel tank cover on my 2011 FLHX and dropped a screw into the tank!! I tried to fish it out with a magnet but had no success. How screwed am I?

 

They'd have to be awfully small to get through the screen, worst thing you'll face is trying to find some to replace them with. I would still make an effort to get them out but they won't be the end of the world if you can't get them.

 

Had a guy drop a small socket in the tank once. I took a speaker magnet in a rag and from the outside of the tank drew it up to the top.

 

Not very . Just take the tank off it and drain out the tank and then shake the screw out of it .

 

AS long as the screen and filter hold out, you"ll be ok but if you are like me, it will eat at you until you get it out. Removing the tank is not all that difficult and your peace of mind will thank you for it.

 

I'm not much for working on my own bike so taking the tank off scares the hell out of me. I might try the speaker magnet, worse case, if I can't get it out will the bike be okay?

 

Should not hurt anything except knowing it's in there!
You could try fishing it out with a magnet.

 

Can anyone recommend a device with magnet. The one I have is flexible but it doesn't go too far into the tank. There seems to be a lot of turns once inside.

 

I'd keep fishing & if it doesn't bite...remove/drain tank & rattle it out. Why in the heck did you have the gas cap off while swapping covers? Oh well - too late for advice, but you should always shove something into tank opening when working w/cap off.

 

Maybe its a good thing. When you low on gas, you will sound like a spray paint can