The deed is done, the pic is just documenting a "milestone" along the way.
New UN-55 installed. Happy Tatt (yeah I have a pretty low threshold of satisfaction)...
Next up, (cheap) replacement pedals, financed with the cash I saved by not taking it to a shop.
Making the "Blue Meanie" heap ride-able again has earned me sufficient goodwill so I can buy rack/lights/bags upgrades, on MY bike. That's pretty decent cost-benefit.

Gratitude to BF for inspiration and for what I "didn't do" (didn't abandon hope, didn't get impatient and needlessly hire out the job).