forks

Hi there, earlier in the year I noticed that the rubber ball joint cover on the front forks had perished. I looked to the internet for the answer but nothing, I rang BMW Motorworks, only suggested to buy a complete new £150.......... so a bit more looking and I found this on eBay...

Can it really be as involved as the Haynes manual says? Drop the forks, fabricate some special "tools", take them apart etc? Why can't I take the top cap off and undo a drain plug, like all sane bikes have?