what's this piece and what does it do?

[dbikers]

so.....

i took the gas tank and seat off of my bike to run a hot wire to my passing lamps and decided "what the heck, let's look at the air filter." after i removed 9 screws (4 holes had been stripped out and screws were missing) from the lid i pulled it and found this piece laying just sitting on the front of the air box on a i noticed that there is no rubber seal between the lid and the body of the air box.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p14/dbikers/IMG_20130430_065306_158_zps6f8ffa66.jpg

 

i have no idea what it is or what it does and it just sits loosely on the front tit/post of the air box lid. anyone have any ideas what it is/what it does? do i need it? i can't see what purpose it serves.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p14/dbikers/airbox_zpsafa72d53.png

 

i also noticed that there is no rubber seal between the lid and the body of the air box. will this create much grief? should i get one on-line?

 

please let me know your thoughts....thanks in advance!

[djh3]

Looks like a grommet to hold a wire or steady the air box. Dont have a Gen 1 so strickly a guess. On the seal question. My 2nd Gen has a seal in the grove, so I would think yours would. If its missing and its a stupid to find part or expensive heres a fix. Small line of RTV sealant on one side. Let it set up some till it skins up some. On the ohter side take petrolium jelly and smear in grove where fit togehter. You may have to use a q-tip or something. Once RTV is skinned up put pieces together. The petrolium jelly should keep it from sticking together next time you want to take apart and make a nice seal. Any extra that squezes out take a razor blade and trim off once set up completly.