Side cover spring nut

[Shifterman]

I am trying to disassemble the side covers on my 1984 xj1100L and was wondering if there was a secret to getting the spring nuts that hold it together off. Is there a special tool?
Thanks

[newmaac]

I used a small punch, (or ice pick) to bend-back the 2 small tabs that grip the plastic pin.
be careful not to break the pin off. The clip is worth about
5 cents. Dont break your cover trying to save the clip.
Yamaha sells the clip for about $1.25ish. You can get the same thing in any good hardware store, for about a dime. I got mine in the industrial departmant at Orchard Supply Hardware.
Good luck,
Mike