I am about to pull my forks to replace the seals, and would like to know if it's necessary to remove any bodywork beyond the front fender?
+1Its not necessary. I've done 5 of them and never have. It would make it easier to get to the lower pinch bolts, but it isn't worth the extra time in my opinion. Make sure to loosen the caps before you loosen the lower pinch bolts though.