you will most likely need a new set of shorter chainring bolts. also crank/spindleare designed to work together. if you take the outer ring off the chainline of the remaining two will be the same. chainging your spindle length to realign them for some reason may cause problems.
BTW a toothless ring or guard is a great idea.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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