if anyone caught that thread at motoredbikes(i think)....the one where the guy's front fender support caught his tire, wrapped around it, bent the rim into a lima bean shape and threw him over the handlebars. his front support wasn't a pressed piece of steel like your's though, it was the thicker kind on newer fenders. and i hate being a drag like that, but its something to consider for everyone running fenders. nice bike though....wish i would find one like that at the scrapyard. props on all the work involved with the rear wheel...internal geared hubs are infinitely interesting/a pain in the @ss upon reassembly.