I like fietsbob's inner tube band and thermionicscott's tape. (Inner tube is better, but once the fork is in, the tape is far easier.) Fenders - yes. If your bearings are not cartridge, pack at least the lower race with lots of marine (trailer hub) grease, so much that it squeezes out. Wipe it clean while it is still clean and don't touch it again until you are ready to repack the bearings.

Ben