rectifier removal woes?

[AstroShade]

trying to change the rectifier on my 2007 vstar 1100 classic and it's strapped in like a kid on a rollercoaster. anyone know the trick to getting this thing out of its mounting spot without wrecking stuff? all i've found are videos that skip over the harness part entirely. mine's got these weird old clips top and bottom—don't wanna force it and end up breaking something.
if you've dealt with this before, share your hacks. getting this fixed is way overdue.

 

[_HumbleJeff]

I've found that replacing the regulator/rectifier is pretty straightforward. It's just 2 screws and the harness connector. Nothing too tricky. The connector is much easier to handle once you've removed the screws and have the regulator/rectifier in hand. For better access I would recommend pulling the pipes. At 1 point I thought about removing the battery box for extra room and even started unscrewing it. Still it wasn't necessary and turned into more trouble than it was worth.

The only hiccup I ran into was with one of the screws that didn't want to thread properly. In cases like this I've used a hard screw I had on hand along with some anti seize to chase the threads. It worked like a charm. Before installing the new reg/rect make sure to test your stator output 1st. It's a quick step that can save you from potential headaches down the road. Hope this helps!

 

[Je.Mimahh]

@AstroShade Try use a small flathead or pick to gently pry the top and bottom clips outward while slowly wiggling the connector loose. If it's stubborn, a little dielectric grease around the plug beforehand can help it slide out easier

 

[Alan]

Yeah, those factory clips can be a pain on the VStars. The best way to do it is to slow pry on the top and bottom tabs like @Je.Mimahh said, then rock the connector side to side instead of pulling straight back. Once it’s free, the rest is pretty easy.