I found a rigid to be doomed in the reliability department. Why? Vibration has to go somewhere and on a rigid I found it always went to the path of least resisistance. If you secured you nuts and bolts it would eventually tear weak spots in the sheet metal.

I agree. But I thought about something after we spoke on the telephone.

It appears that you and I have modified just about every bike we have ever owned. In fact, I am now scanning a picture of that 1976 Kawasaki LTD I had. Big Japanese fours were the rage at that time, and there was a horsepower race going on--Honda built a big yellow monstrosity with a four-into-one. I got caught up in it like everyone else.

Same with rigid frames. They had a cleaner look, we started cuttting and welding and trying to make them work. I could never understand why a guy bought a rigid frame and then took a thin little seat and bolted it down on the frame with no springs at all.

You live, you learn. That's why I got into Dyna Glides. I thought they handled and rode the best.