How to remove radiator shrouds

[pago cruiser]

More specifically, how do you remove those stupid plastic push-in rivet fasteners?
Have had some success on other similar fasteners, but only by pushing from the "opposite" side.
Don't see how to get my fat hands behind the fasteners???

Tried a pocket knife to work under the edge of the push-in part, but these sit flush and tight fitting to the collar. No dice.

I'm sure I could drill them out with my right angle drill... but there has to be an easier way without destroying them? 

Honda has some of these on the ST1100, but those were mostly threaded - back the plastic screw out, and then you could remove the collar piece. To reinstall, insert the collar and then thread in the "rivet" piece.  Civilized...

TIA 

[Bill Havins]

Mitch,

Use a right angle pick.  Firmly press in on the center part of the fastener until you feel a "click"; this relieves the pressure off the "wings" that hold the rivet in place. Then, slip a thin flat blade screwdriver under the outer ring and "worry" the whole thing out.

Sometimes the center pin will press through and out of the assembly.  Just find it and put it back in place.

Goofy as the dickens but they work pretty well.

Bill

[hubcapsc]

I broke one of mine when I took all the plastic off my bike.

Honda wants $5 or $6 each for them.

I got this assortment, they include exact matches that work great:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GXJIWRA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

-Mike

[bscrive]

I have broken a few over the years.  My local autoparts store has them in various sizes.

[pago cruiser]

Thanks gents.
Ordered one of thosE kits as well.
Of course, this was after I ordered some spare fender rivets - $20 for 5 rivets! 
I had half a mind to re-engineer the fasteners to use threaded hardware or threaded rivets - but with that entire kit for $20, just saved me a lot of work!

[Robert]

To remove the cowls on our bikes actually only involves removing 2 of the plastic fasteners on the cowls not all of them. Besides the front cover fasteners of course. It makes life so much easier.

[woofred1832]

                          I removed them so I could get at the plastic covers over the radiators,  I wanted to paint the RED. I managed to get them off with only breaking 2 of the push pins. Then before re installing took afew pin pieces to the auto parts store, since they use them on cars now also. Was able to find some that were close, so put them in the spots that dont show from the outside. Came out good, more RED accents to go along with the strip on the valve covers and the lower side covers. Waiting for warmer sprig weather to get back on the road.

[Kidd]

Took me a while to get used to push pins ,  I like them now  , makes it much easier to remove

[chanesworth]

To remove the cowls on our bikes actually only involves removing 2 of the plastic fasteners on the cowls not all of them. Besides the front cover fasteners of course. It makes life so much easier.

I know this is an old thread but can someone tell me which two fasteners I need to remove to get the cowl off?

Thanks

[pago cruiser]

While I have had mine off a few times for some significant mods, I do not remember how many, or where.  Juts start pushing in the center of those pushpins; it will become apparent soon.

That said, I'd suggest using something plastic to push the pins in; if you use a screwdriver, and it slips, you stand a good chance of scratching paint.

[woofred1832]

There is a tool to remove the push pin works better than a screwdriver without braking them, avail at Orillay auto parts where I wook