Hey Dutch - Iam far from being an expert on some rules, but the answer to you first question seems to be in the first paragraph Chapt. 4 Production ( P ) Frame Class -
"Shall not be modified from Original Equipment at time of manufacture. e.g., frame, forks, gas & oil tanks, seat, lighting, fenders, wheels, brakes, air intake box, and
unmodified exhaust system I have found it best, when specific rule interpretation needs to be right on, and I am not quite sure how to interpret said rule - - I call BUB, or BUB's AMA Chief Technical Steward - kind of a cool guy that wears bib tops, plays a mean guitar, is a grade AAA mechanic, and to boot - He's the guy that would make the final judgement on the question at hand.
P M a question to him or give him a shout out here. - AHG - Most likely to have the final word. Drop him a note -
Have fun with your build
Jimbo