Great report Trailpioneer.  Good to see you still riding (I'm 67) and have 29" inseam.  Going the 1.625" Kouba Link route (in transit).  A little worried about tire rub - more later.

i've had the kouba link sitting here for months, just haven't had time to put it on.  i did read that they shortened it a bit to prevent bottoming......

from their site:
*Note:  We have available 2 lengths of the KTM690 links which are (pictured below left)  We have also shortened the the "KTM8" link slightly so as not to allow the tire to bottom on the fuel tank as easily. The tire still may touch if bottomed very hard and/or are running the large knobby tires with this "KTM8-2" link.  The link with KTM8-2 engraved on the sides are the new shorter ones and replace the old "KTM8" link which is no longer available from us.

let us know how it works out for you....also, i think the kickstand needs to have 2in. cut off of it.