I took the bike out yesterday. and it shifted flawlessly. The gearing is slightly better than adequate. The biggest hills were doable in 2nd, which is now the lowest gear, and top end with the 13 was slightly better than the 14 I temporarily loosened the rear brake to prevent rub and the bike became more "alive and fun" Average speed was still only 10.2 mph (about 12 on my other bikes for similar runs) but it felt better. The DIY latch stayed secure with no constant tightening needed.

The biggest drawback is the frame. In a straight line on smooth pavement it feels normal. Any moderate turn or bumps induce noticeable "non-linear" handling.

I think I will go ahead and disconnect and replace the band brake with a caliper so I can free the wheel completely. It'll only be $5-$10 bucks for a used unit and I already have cabling and sheathing if necessary.