Really appreciate all the input. Unfortunately, I'm just getting back here and didn't get a chance to read the posts until it was too late to go measure the bike (in my shop a couple miles away).
Debby, I think you are correct, for reasons stated below. Good call. Again, once I measure I'll know for sure. Coco.... do like the idea of using rubber for shims... perhaps especially appropriate in a head-steady application? Cash, WILL let the supplier know. (He's a bit of a terse fellow, might give him heart palpitations), LAB and 79x100, measurements forthcoming.
In October of 2003 the UK zine Classic Bike ran what I thought at the time was an excellent article on the Commando. In fact, the specific bike they featured made such a visual impact on me that I credit it with my now owning one myself. Here's what the author said about the frames:
"The quality of frames can vary, the Italian built examples fitted to some 850s being particularly suspect. Italian 850 frame numbers all began with F1 and supply began from number 306086. Les [Les Emery of Norvil] believes they stopped in mid-1974. Perversely some 850s from number 30003 were among the best handling machines, while Les believes some of the worst were in the 20000 series from late 1971. 'So if you are going for an 850 get a MKIA onwards, or for a 750 get an early one.'"
Apart from Mr. Emery's (debatable or not?) beliefs in the ideal Commando frames, the author's assertion that "Italian built examples fitted to some 850s being particularly suspect" comment is not cause for celebration, apparently. Exactly why are they suspect, for example? My frame number, F104296, puts me somewhere between Vin #309911 and #313761 (thanks to Debby's atlanticgreen.com link). To further complicate, I don't know the actual VIN # of my frame because someone down the bike's ownership history put on a fake I.D. tag and sold it to me as a 750 package. But it does appear that perhaps Debbie is correct in my version being of Italian make.
I'll try and get the measurement tomorrow. Again, really appreciate the help and input, per usual.
wrench