My old style chopper would hold decent, as long as every thing is in good shape, as for tieing down, not sure where your from but DOT commercial enforcement is all over landscapers here and I wouldn't think about going down the road without my machines locked into my pro lockers or tied down.Your brave or only going a block or so.
My Silver Eagle 2760 brake linkage was hitting the arm damper under the seat. Several options to modify so that it will clear the damper.
I cut off 1/4 inch of the arm that the spring pin fits in. Near the damper rear mount.
I removed the damper bracket and install three flat washers to get more clearance to the right side.
Now the linkage moves all the way forward. No obstruction.
I saw on a newer model that they have fixed this problem by having the damper mount hole drilled higher which gives clearance.
You can also in stall washers to the brake linkage cross arm to keep the arm close to the left as possible. There is some play on mine.