However, a month after that I went to try the "rake adjust" for the front fork. Flipped the insert over and found it doesn't fit properly. See photo below.
Did you try switching the side you put the metal dropout things on? So the one that was on the left to begin with is on the right after flipping the dropout. I had the same problem as you and that was my soloution :)
If you take the one from one side when its on the default setting and turn it around and put it on the other side it should be pointing out shouldnt it? I made a shitty ms paint drawing of what I did, hopefully it makes sense.
Also, the bike feels a lot better after shifting it imo
Did you try switching the side you put the metal dropout things on? So the one that was on the left to begin with is on the right after flipping the dropout. I had the same problem as you and that was my soloution :)