Thanks Dan,
That was my first thought too - option 1, but since I don't weld and will have to get someone to do it, it might not be the best way. One thing about the second option is that I might be able to get it hot enough with map gas and then I could do it myself. I don't have acetylene, so map gas has to work or this option is no good. And finally, Mr. Pat educated me on the machined upper end - you might have seen the nice job he did bending his own kick stand. We shall see.