I don’t think the forks are bent. Somebody just stripped out the cast play-doh thing at the top of the springs.
I know Someone has looked for that part before and I don’t think anyone sells just that part. But you can get a fork rebuild kit which has new lower tubes and the thing attached.
Treats says out of stock. Maybe try other vendors or Buy/sell for a set.
All that seems easy. Looks like a solid maxi that should clean up nice.
BTW, your 13 year old, florida kid story took me back to a vision of being a boy, wearing cut-off blue jeans, barefoot, riding anything with an engine. Summers were fun and dangerous back in the day. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to still be alive. (edited)