Can I cut off this bracket?

[poorman9]

I'm gonna be doing some welding and this bracket is in the way, I don't mind keeping it if it's important. Does anyone know why it's there?

Seems like I should know that right? Well the bike was sold to me in parts, and I've never seen it together. Also, you might be wondering why my frame is chopped to hell, the previous owner attempted to make a chopper, I'm attempting to fix it.

 

[hotdog]

Poorman, that bracket along with the one on the other side ( a little lower ) are what the standard plastic inner guard mounts up too.

 

[poorman9]

You rule! We're chopping 'em.