Better yet, find somebody with a CNC laser/plasma/water-jet cutter and cut the profile that way to save a LOT of work...The best way to go is to get a peace of steel about a 1/16" thicker than the lever you have. Then start cutting it out with 4" grinder, drill bits, and sanding drums. No welding that way and you can set up the loop any way you want it. Just go slow and use the old one as a jig for the new one. As you get closer to the shape, you want to use smaller and finer sanding disks and sanding cloth. How smooth and finished it looks is equal to the time you put into it.
Not necessarily... if you find a guy with one of the above and you walk in the door with a dxf file that he can plug & play with you might be able to get some cheap table time.Double Dog better yet,, pay the man that does it for a living. You will spend more money on layout and table time to have someone use a CNC plasma, laser or water saw and you still have to grind , polish and finish the lever.
Muleloops Custom Levers