Man,, that sounds like an excellent approach,,

Well you could got to a mart-mart, any pay for something, that may be free elsewhere. Which if you don't fish, you will not use 99% of it again.

Try, going to a public, lake, landing, where fisherman/women, are using.  Ask, beta ya you will get 3-4' Free !.  Anything above 10 pound. (It's just usually thicker a it gets stronger). But it will still work. Heck even 2 lb will work, ya just gotta know it's limits of how hard you can saw.

Or find a good sporting goods store, preferably a mom & pop one.
(A mart-mart one, if you ask a question, you will get the, 'deer in the headlight', look)
Most, 'fishing' Sporting good stores, have Bulk line in 1,000 yard reels.  Beta ya, 3-4 feet of that,  will cost a heck of a lot less. Or even take some out of the garbage can. (They take off, 'old' line, and put new on)

You might look through this website of vintage decals reproductions.

You might find a SUZUKI or 'S" decal or emblem that you like better than the Savage stuff.

http://www.diablocycle.com/-Decals/

I don't fish,used to,some, but I do have a spool of heavy monofilament. Having parachute cord,rope, cordage of many types,,,, just part of having tools to me.
A piece of dowel rod on either end will surely help.