Oh, well, sounds like it will have a happy ending. You'll have a beautiful chrome rack on the CB1100.
WOW, what a story! The things we do for these bikes never ceases to amaze me.
And Django, way to help out!

Yeah, there's some good blokes around this place.
Well, I wouldn't party, before the rack really arrived and was mounted without issues.

That's right, don't go chewing your gum before you've removed the wrapper, lol.
(All joking aside, here's hoping that everyone ends up happy with their respective products.)
Hey if it never works out, the effort and friendship displayed is enough for me. I don't really need the rack, as a matter of fact my wife commented "you don't even like luggage racks on your bikes..and she's right, but I just loved the way it looked on Djangos bike. Wouldn't even consider the Honda rack or the Givi. It's either the Fehling or nada. I'm happy either way.
Ferret, where is the pic of the Fehling? I don't remember what it looks like.
This thread is becoming completely off topic, but I can also vouch for the Fehling rack, it looks beautiful on the bike, and my wife really likes the grab handle. Very easy install indeed. I also discovered it thanks to Django.
Django, congrats on the purchase of the Roadcrafter! Now that you swapped your bike, are you doing a full style makeover also?