Thanks for the help.
I'd looked on Sheldon Brown's tire sizing page before and got a bit confused by the 2 different 26x1 3/8 sizes. I think I'll get the wheel and do the controversial/stupid method of making a suicide hub. I'll be using front brakes anyway.
My father is a mechanical engineer, I'll call him and see if he can maybe weld it or lathe up something to make it a little less "suicidey"