Air Guide Plate

[bikerboy1951]

I have had my '01 Valk standard for two years now.  When I got it, the gas tank and carbs were a mess with rust in the tank, carb jets plugged and broken and vacuum tubes not connected.
I was watching a video on carb cleaning for the Valk and they showed an air guide plate that sits between the radiator and the carb bank.  This piece was missing on my bike.  I have put 17,500 miles on the bike since owning it.  Is this piece something that I need and/or should have on the bike.
It looks like the purpose is to direct air flow away from the carbs although I have had no problems so far with not having it that I am aware of.
As always thanks for the help and insight of fellow Valk riders.

Brad

[R J]

I'm not sure if I'm talking about the same thing you are, but if it was an I/S in your video, that bike does have a plate type deflector in it the Std & Tourer does not have.

[bikerboy1951]

It shows it as part #5 on the radiator page for the '01 GL1500CD.  If I knew how to put the page in here I would do so, but I don't know how.  The video I watched showed it on an '97 Valk standard. Don't knoiw much more other than it does show the part as being on my '01 standard.

Brad

[Gryphon Rider]

My bike (2000 Tourer) has it (#5).  Over the years on the VRCC message boards I have heard of people removing it without noticing subsequent problems.  I've kept mine do to my "if Honda engineers thought it was necessary" mindset, but if I had a good reason to remove it, I wouldn't be too concerned.

[Pete]

It is there to deflect the heat to the outside.
The Std  and IS versions are different since the IS has lower fairings.

If you have not had a problem you should be OK.

A lot of stop and go or setting with engine running the heat "could" get to the carbs, causing excess fuel vapor and potential vapor lock.