I'm sure this will have been asked before or be really obvious but what exactly is that metal D shaped loop for that you can see through the LH opening in the seat fairing? It's part of the frame but seems to have no purpose.

 

Helmet holder/lock?
A picture would help.

 

I don't know the official use for it, but the few times I've had my bike on a trailer, I've used the loop you are referring to as a mount point for straps.
Edit:
There are actually 2 of the D-loops, one on the LHS and one on the RHS.

 

They are for securing luggage, very thoughtful of Mr Honda

 

Well Id considered luggage and as a lashing point but the thing that puzzled me is that mine has only one, the space where a RH one would be is occupied by the MC reservoir and there's no trace of one being removed.

 

Hey, I want to apologize, I misspoke. Mentally, I was thinking of the two square shaped brackets, which are on both sides. I looked at my 98 during lunch. You are correct, there is only one D-shaped bracket and it is on the LHS. In the service manual on page 15-11, there are some not so great pics of it. Though the ring in the manual is square and not D shaped, it's in the same spot.

 

Thats the one, Ive gone through the manual and cant find any reference to it. Doesn't really matter but it's just annoying not knowing lol

I've also got an old VW Caddy pickup (Rabbit to you guys), the European ones have mysterious removeable round plates in the rear bulkhead, no one knows why but they have to be there for a reason....

 

Its there to help lift onto the center stand.
Pull with LH bar and that loop

 

Makes sense I suppose. Would never have thought of that as the US bikes don't have a center stand. Thanks

 

no problem
When I got mine, it was a major b***h to get on the stand, until I found the bracket your talking about.
So much easier, and safer feeling too.