When I did my friend's conversion last year (after a crash...I was rebuilding it anyway) I took a piece of 1/4" ply, large enough to support the aluminum gear, recessed the ply into the fuselage so the bottom of the fuse still "flowed" and then epoxied the ply to the fuselage in front of the wing and then glued some 1/2" tri-stock inside to spread the load to the fuselage sides.

Then add a Klett tailwheel.

It's been through hell and has no sign of wear. Hard to believe the plane below was smashed to bits from the leading edge forward. I also sorta kinda cowled in the motor so it looks good

Don