I don't have a picture, but if you remove the driver ride rear wheel and look at the axle, infront of it is a black box shaped object with a honeycomb mesh on the back. What is this part, and what does it do?

 

I think it's a gonkulator.

 

Sorry, MJMSC,but you're wrong. That's the storage compartment for the spare muffler bearings.

 

I believe that that's the number 7 Sphetzer valve. I'll need two gallons of Prestone... no make that Quaker state antifreeze and some ball bearings to fix it. It's all ball bearings these days you know.

Paraphrase from "Fletch"

 

Squeezer that's the Oscillation Overthruster... OK enough of the smart-ass remarks, I had the same puzzlement when I first saw that thing.

Turns out it's the evaporative emissions canister, which I deduced from reading the Helms service manual.

It's located there because most of the cars' emissions control gadgetry is located either on or near the fuel tank, including, I was alarmed to discover, the fuel filter! So guess what, if you want to change your fuel filter, you have to drop your gas tank first, can't wait for that one! Hope it never becomes necessary...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by djohnston
[B]So guess what, if you want to change your fuel filter, you have to drop your gas tank first, can't wait for that one!

 

Yes, honda_S2k, I'm afraid I am serious. I was somewhat surprised to find that when I first took delivery of my S2K, that there was no mention in the service schedule about when to change my fuel filter. Now that I own the Helms service manual, I know why. There isn't even a recommended service interval for the fuel filter, the Helms book only says to change it if fuel pressure drops below a certain amount. In todays world of well-made gasoline, I can only hope I never get enough crap in my tank to necessitate changing the filter, although the Helms manual does give you step-by-step instructions on how to do so, but it looked like a major job.

 

Actually, if you continue to read further in the manual, you'll see that the fuel filter (and pump) can be accessed through the rear tray (you know -- where your Muz mat goes). I think you can also gain some access by removing the front, vertical trunk liner. Still not the most efficient way to change fuel filter but better than lowering fuel tank which requires lowering of exhaust system.