Centre cover removal

[Mike]

How hard is it to get the side cover off for repair. Broke a tab off and need to fix.

[hubcapsc]

How hard is it to get the side cover off for repair. Broke a tab off and need to fix.

If it has been a couple of months since I last removed a side cover, I read the instructions
in the owner's manual again. Each side cover plugs in at several different points and if you
separate them in the right order stuff usually goes OK.

Here's a broken-tab fix that another vrcc member documented some years ago...

http://www.geocities.com/verminNW/side_cover_tab_repair.htm

[JimL]

Removing the side covers is easy.  It is the center cover that is a hassle!  In order to remove the center cover you have to disconnect the seat lock and the bank angle sensor. 

I would humbly offer one piece of advise before tackling the center cover removal....remove completely from your mind of how you would like to meet the Honda engineer that designed those ridiculously fragile tabs in some isolated part on this planet, and furthermore the butt whipping one of you would certainly receive!  Probably the same guy responsible for the engineering that designed the screws/fasteners for the inner fairing on the I/S!

At least once Honda realized their faux pas, they did the right thing and reasonably priced the replacement parts..right?!  Hmmm..almost sounds like a good thread to start "In your opinion what is biggest Achilles Heel on these great motorcycles?"

Enough of my cynical ramblings, seriously with patience the center cover is easily removed.  By the way, I don't know if there is anything to this; but the two times my center cover tabs have broken it has been in cold weather (in the 30's to low 40's).  Possibly they are not quite as flexible in cooler temps, so I have made a point to stay away from them if possible during cold weather.

good luck