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So I've decided to remove my side panels along with my bellypan, sand down any minor scratches they have and give them a respray. Only thing is - it's never easy is it!

One of the fairing fasteners holding the side panel on has seized - the middle on of the three. It spins around but it is seized into the nut/clip it screws into, if that makes sense.

I can't access the nut in order to secure it so I can remove the bolt - the fan and other gubbins are in the way. Any ideas? Can I drill it out?

That sounds like one of the threaded spring clip jobbies. Great when they're working; a PITA when they're not. If you could get a pair of snipe-nosed pliers in to hold it while you undo the fastener that might work. Unfortunately getting access to the clip is fundamental to removing the fastener.

The other fastener that Aprilia use is the Wellnut - a bronze nut bonded to a rubber outer. They can also spin in the housing. The same thing applies with them. You have to stop the bugger spinning to remove the fastener.

Once undone, apply a dab of anti-seize paste (copper or aluminium grease).

Gave up trying to get it undone

The bolt is seized solid into the retaining nut, which has broken and is spinning freely. No amount of long nosed pliers grabbage or snips grippage was securing it well enough to stop it rotating whilst I 'undid' the bolt.

So... I've draped a sheet behind it and all over the bike and am doing the panel in situ.

Can't you just drill the head off it with a large drill bit so that you can get the panel off? Anything larger than the threaded portion of the bolt (probably 4mm) will just remove the capleaving the seized portion but you may be able to grip it or remove it from the back.