i bobbed mine.
drilled out the rivets, rotated it backwards until the front holes matched the rear, drilled 2 more holes for the front bolts, then installed with machine screws w/finishing washers. filled the 2 rearmost holes with the same bolts/washers.
then cut off about 7inches of fender. left just enought to mount the fender stays.
if removing the fender, i'd install some sort of brace for those weenie 35mm sticks.