GOOD NEWS. . . . The PICTURE UPLOAD FUNCTION IS WORKING !!! The tech folks at the parent company have been able to remedy the issue. You can upload pictures once again. Thank you for your patience.
Re: What part is this, and why are there bolts missing?
You mean the big black air box on the front? That is a silencer. The carburetor intakes are very noisy without it. I have no idea who took the bolts out.