Thanks for the feedback, gents. I went for a brief spin with the black aluminum plate removed for better visibility. I couldn't get a repeat performance. Everything stayed dry. Because I'd had the fuel hoses off when I installed the frame brace, I thought MAYBE so I gave the ears another little pinch. When I first installed the brace, I used screw clamps and had no trouble. Got the correct type but perhaps I didn't get them tight enough? We'll see. I think I'll go buy a fire extinguisher, just in case.
