The guy you spoke with is correct. Original side cover decals are parallel to the ground with both wheels off the center stand. The top edge of the side cover is not parallel to the ground. The other non original item is 850 side cover pin stripe. The open end of the “7” shape is to the rear.
David -
sorry, don't understand the "open end of the 7" thing. all photographs show the pin strips close together. so, from what you're saying, my side cover is either non-original, or repaint, a replacement part, or ???.
here's a pic of the pin stripe where it comes together. from what i can tell, it was hand painted after the clear. my stripes are well worn most likely from years of cleaning, polishing, and waxing,
this has me puzzled, and you have injected more doubt in my bikes originality -- i have to assume the pin stripe and decale stickers were applied at some time after the paint process, and before side cover's assembly to the ftame. the factory would have to have some sort of alignment jig to orient the label to an imaginary horizontal line, unless the "commando" sticker was applied during final assembly, after the side covers were installed. i'm assuming the horizontal line is the axle to axle centerline.