wedge bolt dropped into fork
 

I loosened my threaded quill headset and did it too much so the wedge bolt fell into the fork/steerer tube. I can't get it out now - anybody have any suggestions? It was very recently installed so it shouldn't be seized or anything. I tried getting the bolt to screw back in but can't seem to get that to work either.

Turn the bike upside down and shake it?

I tried the old turn upside down and shake, but to no avail.

Remove the headset and fork. Grease the bearings while you're at it.

magnet?

Turn it upside down and punch it out with a screwdriver or something.

Step one and remove the front wheel. Many steel forks are open at the bottom of the steerer so with the wheel off you can push it out from the bottom, though you might need to remove the brake. If the fork is closed at the bottom, flip the bike over and use a rubber mallet to tap (tap, not pound) on the side of the head tube or headset to vibrate the fork and it should pop free. Another thing to try is with the bike upside down, use a rubber mallet and deliver a sharp upward blow to the top (now the bottom) of the steerer or headset lock nut.

You can also make a hooked "fish" from a spoke and try to snag it by the hole in the center.

BTW- many stem wedges are shaped such that if they cam (turn slightly sideways) in the steerer they'll jam. PUlling on them or forcing them in any way only jams them in tighter. For these, the best way to free them is to turn the fork (or whole bike) over and gently poke their low side upward with a rod or the stem bolt trying to square them up. Once you do so they drop out into your hand.

Thanks for the good advice. Removing the front wheel was key - I did that, turned it upside down, and pushed the end of coat hanger through the bottom of the fork and the wedge bolt popped right out.