Really do appreciate all the responses, especially the "reinforcement" suggestion. I kind of concluded yesterday that I will try out plexi-glass or something similar.
Bennybmn, regarding the washers under the docking posts; when I spoke with Dave at the 800 number at Easy Brackets, he mentioned the docking posts in front are puposely shorter than the ones in back due to the slight tapering of the America's fender. He suggested that if I did shim the posts, I should do all four posts equally to maintain the same original proportion front to back. I elected to not shim, and instead removed the reflectors from the sissy bar rail (as per suggestions in this forum). That solved the bracket fitment / clearance problem for me.
