1991 VFR stator cover stuck.

I just spent about an hour trying to pry my stator cover off through various means, including hitting every inch of it with a mallet, prying with a flathead and attempting to work a razor into the gap. I've looked online and it appears the later models have a tab for prying off the cover, but I can't seem to locate anything like that on mine.
Is there a specific method for pulling these off?

 

I have replaced mine in the past and don't recall them being bearish to remove. The only place I used gasket sealer was on top near the wire connector, the rest of it should rely on the gasket.

 

Rubber mallet. Be conscious of where the locating pins are located.

 

I wonder if someone in the past used some sort of goop instead of a gasket on that thing. I'm not a a knowledgeable mechanic but sometimes two heads are better than one if you want a second pair of eyes to look at it. Mind you, my eyes are a little older than yours. I am in Shittywack too so can ride on over to have a look see. Reach out if you want. If you check my profile, I have contact information there. Or use private conversations tab here.

 

study the parts diagram to find out where the pins are and work gradually from there, using the knocking tabs. wedging a screwdriver into the gap could damage the cases unless done with maximum care.

 

If you have an electric heat gun(or hairdryer) some chance that warming cover might help, especially @ the mounting / alignment dowels

 

I went over and had a look SQman. According the the service manual, it is only held on with 6 or 8 bolts, don't remember how many really. There is a grommet of sorts at the very top that slides into a slot. The pan is on the tight tight tight. I could not see why it was stuck so, Absolutely no movement even what tapping it with a rubber mallet.

I gently picked around the seam with an exacto knife gently. I can't see any signs of a gasket there, but then maybe that is not uncommon. There is a very slight leakage of oil at the bottom edge of the seam but ever so slight. SO this take me back to thinking the PO may have used something other than a proper gasket in there. I like airwalk's suggestion above and carefully put some heat to it and tap it with a plastic dead blow hammer an see if that works.

 

like airwalk suggested above, heat will help. can you run the engine up to near operating temp ? if so, do it.

 

Heating it up loosened it up enough to pry it free, still was a pain to get off but it did work.
Thanks for all the responses.

 

Yay!

 

Way to go Isaac. Curious. Was there a proper gasket on that cover?

 

Sorry just noticed this. There was a gasket on there but it was incredibly crispy and just crumbling apart, not sure how that managed to glue it shut so well but whatever.

 

How is your project coming along?

 

Real good! Had to order the stator through a shop but I got it secured and installed, bike runs perfectly now. Next thing on the menu is a valve inspection and oil change.

 

How many miles on the unit? You synch the carbs lately?

 

49,000, nearly 50 and that's miles not kilometers (was a California bike). Most complex carb job I've ever done was a cleaning of 2 on a V-twin, so I don't own the equipment needed for a proper synch as of yet, though I would like to learn how.

 

You might consider sending them to a doode on the web site, "squirrelman" he does a competent refurb. I would change the o-rings associated with the fuel tubes too, (in my opinion very important as they are 30 years old and need to be replaced.) I have two of these bikes and do my own maintenance on them, use them weekly, reliable as an ax - hell if you lived in South Florida I would help you with yours. Good Luck