Thanks mate.
Two reasons, one, it wasn't really the look I wanted, and two, I spoke to quite a few people including wheel re-furbishers and didn't really want the aggravation of looking after them, apparently the lacquer over the polished surface can chip easily and lead to oxidisation under the lacquer. Personal thing really I guess but each to their own and of course I do have a "Papa Smurf" colour scheme to maintain
I've only done about 500 miles since I've had the new ones on but so far it does seem more "solid", I haven't experienced any tram lining at all. No spacers now. Hope this helps a bit, will put a more detailed report up regarding the handling when I've done a few more miles and had the 4 wheel alignment done.