The first "flown" homebuilt aircraft I ever saw was a BEDE-4. This was a long time ago when I was a kid. I clearly recall the verdict from the adults wasn't complimentary...and there was much discussion about Jim Bede's business practices...and the fact that the tailwheel on this one had collapsed...and appeared to have been just riveted onto the rear fuselage as an after thought...
To go with that I have read some rather exciting flight reports from BEDE owners...
My take... is that there is a fine line that seperates positive and negative public opinion... and how bloody lucky was Burt Rutan to have avoided this. I think experimental aircraft back then used to truly be "EXPERIMENTAL"...and so was the industry.