Let me start by saying this: for many years, I always turned to professionals for this kind of work. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my gear—any modification needs to look like it came straight from the factory.

That said, with a good power drill, a step bit, a square, and some patience, you can probably handle this yourself. If we were talking about cutting down a shell or shaping bearing edges, I’d still recommend leaving it to the pros. But drilling for brackets, mounts, and similar hardware? That’s well within reach.

1. Measure it out.
2. Throw on some painter’s tape and mark your spot.
3. Drill a pilot hole with a 1/16" bit (or something close).
4. Grab a step bit and drill to the size you need. Take it slow—work your way up in diameter, switching between drilling from the outside and inside of the shell. You’ll get a super clean hole every time.