Matt,
Good point. This needs investigated.
I do know that teams have been allowed to alter this portion of the cylinders in order to mount them to their 'bot. I think that this rule has always been in the FIRST manual, but there has also been a clarification in years past that allows for alterations of this part of the cylinder.
Once I find out the details, I'll post. I assume that other teams will want to do something similar.
<edit>
OK... I checked the official jive site and FIRST will not allow this. Matt, thanks... I am glad that you pointed this out. We would much rather change this now than at the competition.
FIRST's answer
But... for what it is worth, I see no harm with altering that portion of the cylinder. We are still a good 1/2" from the air chamber... sheesh! Oh, well.
<edit>
Andy B.