Looks awesome. I only feel like the rail could be a little higher, but still. It captures the look of the “original” very nicely.
As to your G1 story continuing project: I would really like to help out - but unfortunately the Brotherhood of Makuta project takes up all of my creative energies and time right now, so I can’t.
However, since you’re looking for MOCists, I would be willing to allow you to use my Rahi MOCs if you want them/ need some (they don’t have any functions, but I feel like they fit in into G1 very well):
My Rahi MOCs - More Wildlife for the Matoran Universe (altogether 7 in the topic, you’ll have to scroll down a bit)