Hi Chook,
I totally agree with you on the cutting of manufacturing costs and thus no longer crushing the tube and having special moulded grips made opposed to the purchasing of what became a standard bicycle hand grip of the mid 1970's. I think that there would've been more of the first design made as they were also used on the Model 33 and 40 plus up to around 1975ish on the 45. The finely finned units were used on the 45's from 75 onwards until Rover took over and then those similar ones that are currently available on eBay took over until cessation of the Model 45. I must admit the finned ones are not my fancy and the ergonomics of the last version is just not my style. As Cyberjack suggested the first ones are just the right feel along with the correct corresponding handle bar. That's what most of the Scott Bonnar feel is all about.
I might look into seeing what is involved in making these as surely it wouldn't be that much as the tooling wouldn't be that great. Copyright shouldn't be an issue either as all the patents would've run out as no company that owns them anymore is in existence.
I'll look into the matter as I'm sure they would sell over a period of time, I wouldn't expect them to sell overnight that's for sure.
Cheers,
BB
