Yeah, I haven't jacked it to take the load off the rear wheel yet to see if it makes it easier to get at, I just don't want to have to actually pull the rear wheel off just so I can swap three bolts out.
I guess we'll see what happens when I get the new part in January.
Just put my softbrake plate bracket on last weekend. It is a tight fit for the hand but with a little patience, the right tools and lying on your back on the floor it is doable without jacking the bike up. It is well worth it in the end not having a billboard sticking up on your fender.
Bummer on having to buy the whole tail light assembly to replace one part though.