Seven months and two TAFE courses later, I've finally started to make aluminum versions of the factory plastic side covers.
The first night class that I enroled in was on welding steel (oxy, arc and MIG), and the second was on panel fabrication (panel beating). I got to use an english wheel and a vast array of hammers and dollies - then I taught myself to arc weld aluminium.... a proud moment indeed!
Since this image was taken, one of the covers has been polished - I'll post a picture as soon as I remember to take a camera to the workshop.