It'll be a great ride for you, I bet. Even with the slicks and fenders you can go off-pavement if you don't get too extreme. I do all the time with my old Hardrock commuter. V-pull brakes would be nice, if you find some cheaply.

Another alternative would be to strip it down to the bare essentials. No bar ends, aluminum bars, no fenders or rack, no kickstand, etc. That makes a fun bike too. That's how I have my hardrock now, I just put one bottle cage on in the hot weather.