This is a shot of the tanks and one of the side covers after sanding and touching up with polyester glazing putty. There were some areas at the front of the tanks that needed some rough welds and grinding marks filled in, and one of the tanks had some rough grinding at the rear. They really aren't bad, and some of them would have gone away with some more primer surfacer and sanding, but this way I can probably get away with only one more round of surfacer and sanding to get them ready for paint. This particular side cover was rescued in pretty bad condition, so is taking more effort than the others, which are ready for paint. I'm just happy to be making progress. I'm only an amateur painter, so everything takes way longer than it would for a pro, but it's really satisfying when it's finished.
I broke out some of the other parts that I'm almost ready for. These are the EPM mag wheels I plan to use. They are period mags, originally on a TZ250 race bike, and later on my PR race bike. They are 18" diameter, with 3" width rear and 2.5" front. Being something like 35 years old, they are meant for tube type tires. When I was racing with them, I used tubeless tires with no problems, but for the street bike I plan to use tubes. They are waiting to be media blasted, inspected, conversion coated (Iridite) and painted. I'm sticking with the gold color to match the tank lettering and some other bits.
These are the brakes for the front. I bought these a couple decades or so ago for one of the race bikes, and never used them. They really are overkill for a street Commando, but I'm doing my best to use up accumulated stuff. Besides, the do add some bling. Besides, the color goes well with a red bike. The rotors are Kosman, the master cylinder is Brembo, and the calipers are a brand I can't recall at the moment. I do have to come up with a rear master cylinder, but I think I still have a good Lockheed racing one in a box.
I already have a rear disk and TZ caliper that fit the rear wheel with my swing arm, but they're still tucked away somewhere. This picture of the PR shows the rear brake I'm planning to use.
And these are the forks. They are Ohlins superbike forks, the same ones Kenny Dreer used on some of his first 952 bikes. I still have to make some triple clamps for them, but I'm getting pretty close to being able to have a rolling chassis with engine.
That's it for now.
Ken