Hi wilsoac, and a warm welcome to the forum. It's great to have another Scott Bonnar Model 45 owner on board. We hope you will feel right at home, because we all like to learn new things and tinker here.
Here are my observations; (based on your post that there was green hammertone under the gold).
(1) The engine is not original to this machine but the chassis is a genuine late model Scotty, manufactured in Thebarton, Adelaide SA. This appears to be in approximately the date range 1976-79. It is a 17" cutting width.
(2) The catcher is from a later Scotty 45, made after the Rover/Scott Bonnar merger. The handle on the top is not original.
(3) The rubber handle-bar grips are from a later Rover/SB model also.
From what you have said in your post re the front roller shaft, I would suggest you get some new roller end caps, as they would be worn as well.
The reel appears to have plenty of life left in it (thanks to your repairs)....as grumpy has suggested, you could do further work on it to straighten the blades if you wish.
I cannot see in your pics what the bottom blade looks like, but the
soleplate complete with the bottom blade attached (ie. do not remove it) will need to go with the cylinder reel to the engineer for sharpening. You may consider purchasing some new reel bearings, as these are critical to achieve the fine clearances necessary when adjusting after re-installation on your machine.
Can you please post some pics of the sprockets...we need to see the teeth...we will then be able to advise you on there condition and will give us some idea of what the chains are like.
Once again wilsoac,
to OutdoorKing!
