Changing the center cover

[NighthawkVTX]

I have a center cover with the right side tab insert broke to therightside cover will not lock in place,
I've found a couple parts on e bay, but I was wondering if anyone has a "trick" to get it to lock in  place. Currently it's taped down.
If I do replace it how do I get the key hole to come out, and are there any surprises I should know about?
Thanks

[Chrisj CMA]

Done a couple.  Pretty easy.  You will see as you go obvious. Just don't put the tip sensor back on upside down.

[hubcapsc]

I took my center cover off. I hated doing it, it was awful. And I put
the tip-over sensor on upside-down, so I had to do it twice. There's
a prominent arrow on the tip-over sensor to help you put it back on
right you might want to look for.

-Mike

[Chrisj CMA]

The only part of removing that thing is not obvious is the grommet at the bottom.  Once you remove the side bolts you just pull up and it pops out of that center lower grommet

[Willow]

If you were asking how to make the side cover stick many have employed velcro after that mistake.  Some have installed a small mostly unnoticeable screw.

[rafster]

If I do replace it how do I get the key hole to come out, and are there any surprises I should know about?
Thanks

If you're referring to the lock tumbler assembly thingy, it's easily removed once you have the other center cover bolt removed and the left side cover removed. Next move the cover toward the front of the bike to get hour hand in there. There is a "U" shaped clip holding the lock assembly in place which can be accessed from the left side.  You may need to rotate the clip so that the open end faces right and the closed end faces left. This gives a straight line pull direction to the left side. Removing the clip itself was straightforward, but I seem to recall  it required more effort than I expected.

[da prez]

  I tried the grommet method. So far , so good. A side cover grommet worked (yes , worked) in where the tab was will work. It takes a little doing , and the center cover need not be removed. I am referring to the elongated one.

                                     da prez

[The emperor has no clothes]

  I tried the grommet method. So far , so good. A side cover grommet worked (yes , worked) in where the tab was will work. It takes a little doing , and the center cover need not be removed. I am referring to the elongated one.

                                     da prez

+1 I've had one side like that for 4 years and 50k. No problems. New grommets in the side cover is recommended. Don't want it worn and loose.