There are a huge number of good ideas here. Chuck, thanks for getting into this like you did. Would really mean a lot of a bunch of us to do something about that chunk of plastic. Wouldn't be so bad if it didn't stare you in the face for every moment of riding.
To keep costs down I think chroming is out. I just got some rails chromed on an antique set of hard bags and it cost WAYYYYYYYYYY too much... like $400 too much. The idea of shipping an unfinished piece really makes sense then it's up to the individual to do what they want.
