 The new rear rigid section...  The new rear rigid section and the stock Harley-Davidson swingarm frame. The unmodified swingarm frame looks ungainly next to the tapered lines of the rear section. |  To get an idea for the first...  To get an idea for the first rough cut, Andy holds the rear section in a close approximation of where it will fit onto the swing arm frame. |  Steve had the honor of making...  Steve had the honor of making the first rough cuts, using a 4-1/2-inch grinder with a cut-off wheel. |
 The rear stock section of...  The rear stock section of the frame has been cut off, and Steve holds the rigid section up to the front half, giving us a good idea of the look of the finished frame. |  The top section around the...  The top section around the frame's seat post is the first to be checked against the rear section. |  Masking tape wrapped around...  Masking tape wrapped around the frame rails locates the trim cut to fit the rear section. |
 The final cut on the front...  The final cut on the front frame section ready for final fitting. This is where you want to exercise caution-you know, measure 20 times and cut once. |  The lower section of the frame...  The lower section of the frame also needs to be carefully trimmed. Again, you want to sneak up on the final cut. In this case it should be a straight, even shot across the lower frame tube, and all paint has to be removed for a clean weld. |  The stock frame is cut even...  The stock frame is cut even at the rear of the frame tube that locates the rear transmission mount. The new rigid section needs to fit evenly across the frame. |
 A little more grinding to...  A little more grinding to bare metal and some beveling of the frame tubes, and we're ready to begin welding. |  Both ends of the frame tubes...  Both ends of the frame tubes and the tubing of the new rigid rear section need to be beveled to two-thirds of their diameter to allow for maximum weld penetration. Leave a small part of the tubing to match up to the opposite section of frame tubing. |  Andy cleaned the areas to...  Andy cleaned the areas to be welded of all paint down to bare metal on both sides-front and rear. |
 Some tweaking of the top tubes...  Some tweaking of the top tubes on the new rear section was needed to achieve perfect alignment. Steve tack-welded one side, then the other. Steve and Andy employed an automotive jack to slightly spread the top tubes. |  OK, the top frame tubes were...  OK, the top frame tubes were tack-welded; the next step was to level the frame on the bench to get a reference point to achieve alignment of the lower rear section. |  Here Steve and Andy check...  Here Steve and Andy check the rear of the frame with the level to see which direction the rear frame section needs to move, if at all. |