Haven't put the tape on yet, but I was planning on maybe bending a small dustcap out of aluminum foil, then taping over that. But once I took the thing apart, it wasn't surprising at all as to why the bearings and pedals were spinning so grittily. Definitely need to find some kind of cover...
Where is that shop on Coney Island Ave? I don't really know S. Brooklyn that well--do you know what subway stop it's near, or the crossstreet?