At the end of the day it is you're machine to do what you want, ive seen a few hot rod kinda mowers and to me it always looks tacky, but each to their own.
The original bracket looks to still be there on the frame, i dont think you would need to space the bonnet out, just make the clutch arm on the front more compact, with a new lining the clutch doesn't need much force.
I have included a pic of the standard setup.
WOW ok the original is a lot different to what i have LOL
cheers for that info, will have a look into it
