1989 honda elite side panel removal help please

[theloon]

Hoping to get some help on figurinng out my buddies scoot a ch80. Only here for a week or so and we really want to get this thing going! We can't get the seat latch to open. The key just spins the lcok cylinder around and doesn't catch on the cable to release the latch. Is there a way we can release the latch? How do we take off the side panels? Ove downloaded the service and owners manual and haven't found anything about how to release the latch or take off the panels.

[kuromi]

Have you tried jamming in a flat blade screwdriver, or using similar keys?

Some of the parts schemes at cmsnl.com http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-ch80_model901/ show it might be possible to take off a panel at the back and then maybe use some bent wire to hook on to the latch.

[EastCoastCB]

Yeah the lock cylinder just engages a forked arm... Its fairly chintzy.
Try taking off as much as you can from the rear. Don't forget the fastener at the top of the tail light.