1773 gas tank

There is one are TWO 'spring nuts' per side according to the parts diagram below.
(the diagram is for both the 1973 gas tank and the 1974 tank, the latter of which
used only a decal, not a plaque-type 'Yamaha' badge used on the '73). 

You will find that there are quantity 4 of an item #6 on each side for each of the 2 Yamaha tank badges.  Don't know how to remove those, sorry, just trying to get you started with the parts diagram and hope it helps.  If the 'spring nut' is what I think it is, basically just a thin piece of metal
with a hole in it, then I would think prying the badges off (slowly) is the right way to go.  The
type of 'spring nut' I'm thinking about is a 'press-to-fit' type of dealie where you have a nipple
on the part that needs to be held in place, and you just push the part's nipple in to the spring
nut and the friction of nut's small hole will hold the part in place.

You, my friend, have a relic.  And just think, two years later, this same gas tank made the "midnight ride"





"Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five;
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year...."