Has anybody removed the front mudguard to replace the brake booster?
Or is this plain riduculous?

 

Gains zero extra room

 

I assume by mud guard you mean the fender.

The booster removal is not a big job. You need to remove master first. A 13 mm S wrench is a big help. The way to get the booster out is to push in the push rod as far as you can and then lock it in place with a clamp. I disconnect the pin and then use the extension on the pedal to push the rod out a little farther. Then unscrew the extension inside marking the adjustment point. After that the booster comes out easily enough. I use a pair of a vice grips as a clamp.

 

Thanks very much.
Mike