Finally got time to mount the tires but first had to make a pair of roller bearing attachments for my home made bicycle wheel truing stand so it could be used for balancing and a wall mounted bead breaker out of old door hinges and 2x4s. Both worked like a charm.
First discovery was yet another thing the previous owner had been billed for by a shop that was not actually done. The rear wheel drive splines were solvent clean w/o a speck of grease on them. The upside, there does not appear to be any wear.
Really surprised at now noticeably improved the bike handles even though I stuck with the stock size front. Also sought out some wet road seams I had previously noticed "following" and shimmies on with the Dunlops. There is none of that now.
I think it is safe to say I am now a member of the Connie cult.