The tabs on the two chrome air ducts that run along under the fuel tank on both sides of the GV650 have a screw and a tab that hold them in place, the tabs slot through a couple of rubber grommets and are normally fine for the purpose.
I noticed that after a few months the rubber dries out a bit and grips the tab very tightly, I have broken a tab off attempting to remove it (carefully).
This tab is surprisingly extremely thin and small at the root for this purpose.....It could easily be made thicker with no extra cost or weight.
I have made two small alli tabs and screwed one on either side and set the whole back in place rather than buying a spare which is similarly weak. Photo's on request.
Dave

Well done Dave it is a bit weak there. Fortunately for me I haven't broken mine yet but I see what you mean.

I emailed Dave about the pics but he has not taken them yet...

every bike I've ever owned has had the same problem with plastic tabs that brake off from doing work on your own bike, these bits are fine for their r&d but with age they weaken and snap.

I had one of mine break too. I didn't do it... dealer did when I had a service. I go home and wanted to look at what he did and I found the problem.

Unfortunately not much point talking to my dealer coz he doesn't care...

:old: Those pesky little tabs,their main purpose is to break and piss of the owner. I am always very carefull and clean the rubbers when they are open. Now and then I squirt some lube on them like WD40 or slicone lube. Just a little to keep them supple. To keep things from coming of Like my LTD side covers I drilled a small holes in the top so they would be under a frame rail and used black wire ties. They stayed on up to over150 so I know that works. IF you are worried about getting to much lube on spray it on a wrag then wipe in the hole.