My experience is mostly with Yamaha and Suzuki wire harnesses. I've just recently started to work on my Honda NSR mc18 and have come across these connections (just off the carbs) that I'm having a difficult time separating. I've searched and couldn't find anything. The harness is old and not sure how brittle it is - there's some felex but I don't want to test it too much. I have a habit of muscling / forcing things and breaking them without realizing just how much force I'm using until it's too late. I'd like to avoid that. I tried to use the center lift tab to unlock it in the first picture but there seems to be locking tabs on the top and bottom as well (last pic). No release lever for these either - guessing push release? Is there some tool that I need... seems like I need three hands to do this? How do I separate these? Would really appreciate any advice in separating these connections.
Try sliding a thin piece of sheetmetal, cut to the right width, through each of the locking tabs to hold them 'open' while you pull them apart.
Looks like you have one with three clip points. For these (not on this bike but where I've seen them elsewhere) I tend to get a small flat head screwdriver and push gently on the side tabs (ie your third photo). If you push one in and wiggle the plug a bit, it should stay engaged, then try the other side so each side clip is engaged. Then push on the centre and pull. There should be a little give each time you push in a side clip, or if you can keep the first one engaged at least you can put pressure in two parts to release the others.
Thanks guys, managed to get it separated without any broken pieces. The lift mechanism to release the tab wasn't really working... from the looks of the way the lock section is deformed, it has been a source of frustration in the past. As Stu suggested, I was able to use a small flathead screwdriver to push the main lock tab under and then pushed at the top & bottom tabs with the small screwdriver to wiggle it loose. Looks like a weatherproof connection as the rubber seal is what was making it difficult to pull out. Cheers.
Use some of that white waterproof electrical grease (I got some from an electronics hobby store) on it when you put back together.
