Hi wce and MS,
Yes as MS has stated the front roller adjuster design wasn't the flashest bits of engineering but as I've said previously many of times that the Model 45 was only ever made as a domestic mower and not a precision Greens Mower, thus the adjuster was pretty agricultural.
The early Brass cast adjusters never have a plug inserted while the later ally die cast units did so as to keep moisture out and protecting the very corrosion vulnerable metal to not be attacked by the elements. Again the ally was cheaper than the previous brass unit, it was also lighter.
The Black paint used wasn't exactly a fantastic product and didn't really stand the test of time, but like I suggested it was probably offered to SB at a really cheap price or may have even been a give away by their paint supplier, of whom we still don't know who that was.
Everything points towards to either Dulux or Solver being the supplier as those two had local manufacturing plants here in Adelaide and the Bonnar's pretty much used local suppliers where ever they could. The Briggs engine was the biggest foreign import item used on their machines, while the Kirby's were made in Ballarat.
Cheers,
BB.
