Some people dislike the 'breaking in via 4-in-1' because that isn't a stable DC, it's a switching power supply. So really fast on/off continously. This might not seat your brushes the right way. You can also just use 2 AA batteries and connect them to the motors and leave them running for around 30 minutes. But there's loads of info about breakin-in on this forum.

Back to Solo; How come you're nimble CX2 turned into a 'whaler'?! Mine (with all alloy, but no grips) doesn't seem any heavier then stock... It even flies better! Have you tried one less colar on the flybar? I can even fly my 'big *ss' batteries with them in slight winds!

There's a post (i think by Wolfpackin) with all the weights of stock and Xtreme parts somewhere around here... Maybe your custom boom is weighing in?

About the colour; i know you have a hard time getting accustomed with something you haven't actually made/defined/choosen yourself But as you've said, it's about conforming . You can definately get your own touch to it with a paintjob. And if you look at it from a different angle; the Xtreme-parts can get you to the next step:

Brushless CX2! That seems like something you'd want and can do, right?! But then you might want to consider a 'normal' alloy head and swash to cope with the higher torque and speeds

See? Enough to keep you busy!