i may be interested after seeing pics after you drill this new tube out. The only thing i dont like about the regular plumbing pipe is that its usually brass and chrome plated, so the edges of the holes are brass and it would drive my OCD nuts lol. This new pipe/tube you have looks promising!
Also, you CAN polish up aluminum to look chrome. I'ts a bit of work, but lots of my BMX buddies have done it with seatposts and stems and such.