I can't remember exactly how I took it apart.  I think it works like you think it might.  Just, a lot of persuasion and a strong screw driver.

Best regards,

I find that one of those steel strips from a wiper blade is just about perfect for popping the retaining clip to allow wires to come out of the connectors.  It's about 1/8 wide and around .030 thick.  Slips in easily. Push until it hits the back, pull out wire.  Easy.

After letting it sit a couple days (didn't have time to try again after the frustration last time) I tried again to put a VERY small flat screwdriver (jeweler's size) into the plug end of the connector and pulled gently on the wire. Viola, the wire & connector end slipped out easily. Here are a few pics of the end in case anyone else needs to see what they are working with...







Now I just need to cut the last 1.5" or so off and splice in a new piece to put it back together.   Thanks for the help guys.

The wire feels too flexible right behind my fingers in that pic, so I'm pretty sure it must be broken. I couldn't see any reason why the connection in the bracket was not secure. Before I tore it down, I was able to get the headlight to light up by moving this wire back and forth.

On a side note, I plugged in the main black connector while the Orange/Red Stripe wire was pulled out and the bike would start, just without the headlight, so that makes me wonder about my first post and why the bike wouldn't start.