Josheypt,
Great start to your project. In doing the shaving, what type of welder did you use. I am to looking to shave my handles and would likt to do it at home in the garage but I've only welded with a little wire fed 110v welder in the past. would that be enough for welding in the plates 16g metal? I think you sould keep the rear latch handle just in case as a back up to entering your ride. antoher idea that would be trick is to suicide your gas lid and smooth it out so if you were to pop it would open backwards.
everyting else you've done looks like a good start. Kev
