Thanks, Iahawk! That was exactly what i needed to understand how the front and rear covers were attached and how to separate them---eventually. I would have never figured this out on my own or using the manual. Still a pita, but do-able.
The only thing i'd add is that you don't actually have to remove either the front or rear cover to change brake fluid. Just separate them ("just") and loosen the three 10mm nuts holding the front handlebar cover enough to access the master cylinder cover. Btw, it's easy to misalign a turn signal and not be able to screw the front and rear covers together.
Anyhow, thank a bunch.
--garicao
"I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes two or three attack me at once."