replacing air filter
 

The first step in the Honda service manual when replacing the air filter is to remove the gas tank. I started to do this and then realized that access to replace the air filter was clear when I removed the front two bolts and lifted the front of the tank up. I would not recommend removing the tank to replace the air filter.

Re: replacing air filter
 

True!
Removing the seat and using a small piece of 2X4 to hold up the tank from underneath, allows plenty of access to remove the screws and the air box cover.

Easy :D

Re: replacing air filter
 

another practical suggestion:

wait until your gas tank is low on fuel, remove the two front bolts, then use a tie-down (I use the cheap elastic type) and lift the tank up by anchoring the tie-down at the front of the tank and a roof rafter. The advantage here is that there is nothing in the way as you work at removing the airbox cover screws.

cheers
Mikstr