Softail to Hardtail

I have a 82 Kawasaki kz550 LTD that I will be lowering this winter and needed some pointers on safely doing this. My intention is to take off the rear shocks and add a solid bar to lower it as far as possible. I have included a picture for a example of what I am trying to accomplish. Concerns are thickness of steel and bushing housing. By bushing housing I am not sure if the hole bar should be solid or if it's structurally sound to just weld on the housings. Any help will be appreciated.

Do you understand that the changes you plan not only will make the bike uncomfortable to ride but will also make it handle like a school bus which will increase your risks should you ever decide to ride it on a curvy road? Ed

By curvy road ed means any kind of curve, angle or gentle angle with a bump at all.

Normal swing arm set up; hit bump, shocks compress tire stays on roads.

Ridgid; hit the same bump, tire defirms slightly, back end bounces tire loses contact, has chance to get squirly on you, may lead to some wacky fun

So my best bet is to go with some shorties?

DEFINITELY!!!! Your kidneys will thank you! LOL!

What are you looking to gain from lowering the bike? You can get a lot of room from other options.

I just want the cleaner look without the shocks

Floivanus what did you have in mind?

This is what I'm modeling mine after

A mono shock conversion might be the best compromise. There are a couple of threads on the subject.