I would use 2X3" aluminum tubing to fabricate a structure or maybe 2 knees.----Along with some welding.-----Aluminum sheet does not always like being bent.
Sounds like a bad switch box.-----There are of them.----You could test by swapping them and see if there is no spark on 1 , 3 and 5 and spark on 2 , 4 and 6.
There is a spring affair on the choke linkages.----A much mis-understood item.-----Maybe a previous owner was baffled by it and hooked it up wrong.----Remember we can not see , hear or feel your motor !