interesting AK mod

SayUncle points me to a refit parts kit that puts the charging handle of an AK on the left side. Interesting. A commenter asks why not give it the L1A1 treatment, making the charging handle fold down and not reciprocate with the carrier?

I'd rather come up with a parts kit that replaces the whole gas tube and upper handguard with an assembly that provides:
1) a left-side charging handle out front
2) that folds flat when not in use
3) and bears against the rear shoulder of the gas piston, or the front nose of the bolt carrier when unfolded,
4) allowing you to use the existing bolt carrier---maybe just maybe with a replacement piston, especially if you want or need . . .
5) a forward assist to bump the bolt carrier forward.

Just a thought.