Best way to remove early xs 650 side cover chrome....

[yamahama]

Just dawned on me these chrome bits in the side covers may be plastic, not metal and the little metal holder clips on the back are biting in good. 1st thought...snip the clips...no, not going to work. Small Dremel cutting wheel ? I'm afraid to think of any other way...

 

[DogBunny]

https://www.dickblick.com/products/...MIuLykg_iN6gIVh7zACh3j6gdYEAQYASABEgI6LPD_BwE
Use something like this to bend the clips where they are biting in. A little fussy, but very doable. A tiny screwdriver or knife might work too. If you can get one side levered up enough to grab it with a small needle-nose pliers, it is then is easier to work on the opposite side of the clip with the needle tool. Once you have the clip off, you can gently hammer it flat and re-use it.

 

[cra-z1]

Like DogBunny says, however if you have a steady hand use the dremmel with a cut off wheel and score one of the small tabs or several which will allow them to break when you try to bend them up. I just buy new clips at Ace Hardware