A little update:

If it can be done for $800-$1000 in the states, I wonder how much more it'll cost in BC w/ our 12% tax here, + shipping & custom etc.

I've found 1 freshly rebuilt 22re in Whistler for $1200. Haven't check it out yet, but it has plastic chain guide.

Yesterday I went check out the $1400 one in Langley. This guy in his early 60s surely does this for a living. He sells about 2 of these every month apparently. All stock (plastic guide as well), except the 0.x10" crank machining he mentioned about? (I had no idea what that meant though)

Looks like if he sells the one below before I might buy mine in July, I could get him to put in the metal chain guide this time.