OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Question On Scott Bonnar Cylinder Mowers Scott Bonnar Model 45 Restoration.... Aussie Blue

Hi to All, this post is in reply to Aussie Blue. In the interest of good housekeeping, it has been re-posted here under the correct forum topic.

Hi Craig, re-chroming is expensive. I got a quote to chrome 20 plastic wheel nut covers for my car recently and they wanted $130, so, by comparison, your quote does seem reasonable.
As Rover Australia has gone down the gurgler, buying a new set might not be a possibility. A second-hand set in good nick, might be the answer.
Similarly, deviosi, I presume, bought his front roller tube, brand new, from Rover whilst they were still in business. Whether or not they are still available NOS (new old stock) I do not know.

Originality or not?.....You have to make a decision here, which may be difficult to answer. In my opinion, the question I asked myself was...originality versus functionality...My Briggs engine was a lemon, so I scrapped it...I replaced it with a Honda...(best decision I ever made!); I powder-coated the engine shaft, clutch-cone and cutting reel...so originality for me, was now not a factor. Plus the fact that the Scotty/Rover Model 45 was the most popular reel mower ever made in Australia...there are heaps of 'em out there....Just look up Scott Bonnar on eBay. I wanted a functional machine.

However another question should be is this. Are you going to use the machine or is it going to be a display piece?

My Scotty is a working mower, so I sanded smooth my front roller and sprayed it silver, rather than replace it, because I knew I would have to traverse over concrete paths, which would scratch a new one immediately, defeating the purpose. It all depends on what level of restoration you wish to go to...ground up or cosmetic. Mine, I hope, is a good example of a working machine, (original in some areas!!)

Craig, could you please post some pics, I'm sure we'd all love to see 'em.
Hoping this has been of help,

Hey Darryl,

Thanks for the reply and your views. You are an asset to this forum web-site. Great technical help and a wealth of knoweledge.
I certainly am restoring the mower for the purpose of a "functional mower". I have posted some pics in another thread " Novice Owner Scott Bonner 45 - 20in cut"
I will be sure to post some more pics along the way of the resto!

I know were you are coming from Darryl

I think the reason that mine has a Kawasaki Fa130d (From what I understand the FA130d is on a par with the Honda GV's of the same capacity) on it was because the B&S was a dud. I am going to fully overhaul the motor. While she is not burning a smidgen of oil it does need a carby overhaul and the valves need to be re-lapped Even though the filter is an issue I think that my brother only used it a hand full of times so I think it might be still OK. I will soon know when the head comes off!

I opened the chain drive cover yesterday and was surprised to find the sprockets to be clean as a whistle and not hint of rust in the drive train.

As to the decals I was thinking of actually drawing them up on a computer so we could do custom lots between ourselves.

Now what I would like to ask a question to the forum as a whole. It is my understanding that the green hammertone was a custom colour I was thinking of taking a paint chip down to the auto paint shop to see if they could match the colour up or it might have to be the case of going with the Galmet As these retailers can not do colour matching with hammer tone.


Thanks in advance

-greg

As this thread is over 12 months old I will now close it for the archival value....If any member has anything to add, please send me a PM.