'97 GP1200: My entire steering assembly is loose where it mounts to the base under the black pad that covers the center section of the bars. I can see 4 bolt heads in there, but can't get to the backside of that piece to tighten the nuts that I am guessing are on the other side. What all has to come off to get to these? It looks pretty involved.

To make life easy you will want to take the top deck off. It is basically 2 screws in the glove compartment and then 2 10 or 12 mm bolts in the front storage area. That top deck will then lift off enough to get to those 4 mounting bolts. If you want to remove it completely then you will need to remove your stock handlebars also but there is no need for it. You should be able to have enough room by lifting the top deck itself off just slightly.

if the handlebars are loose, then just tighten thoose 4 bolts you see. there is no nuts on the back side of those - the bolts that clamp the handlebars to the stem. if the whole unit (handlebars and stem) are loose and coming off the steering platform (steering box) then you have to take the steering box shroud off and take off the steering box and reach up under the steering box to tignten the bolts that hold the steering assembly to the steering platform. sounds complicated, but it is easy.

THERE IS ALSO A HOSECLAMP UNDER THERE THAT YOU CAN TIGHTEN UP TO REDUCE THE LOOSENESS.

Well, this is the whole whitish platform that connects to the red base. It appears the bolts go through it, and the holes they sit in are hexed to hold the bolt head, while there are nuts on the back side somewhere. You can't just turn the bolts because the heads are recessed this way into hexed openings. I guess I will disassemble the whole thing.