Does this look correct?

[CTKing]

I saw these listed as new oem with the box.All the oem KO shocks I've seen are silver under the spring. Even the ones on my CEG are silver. I did buy a set from DrAtv and they look just like this. Am I missing something or did they make them in black also?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/161632538332?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

DrAtv eBay link below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CANDY-E...ash=item51e679f859:g:3fYAAOxy63FS4uLT&vxp=mtr

 

[scooter]

Those are correct for the later model K1s and up.

 

[mtspeeddemon]

Playing loosely with the term "NOS." Because we all know Honda used red labels with barcodes in the early 70s. At least there are decent pictures.

 

[Houredout401]

Damn, I thought those were the answer to my silver tag shocks.

 

[kirrbby]

On the k0, that area behind the spring was zinc coated, steel. With the k1 they put a black plastic sleeve over it, and I think they stopped zincing them...bare steel under the sleeve. I think the parts linked are service replacement parts that were made after they stopped zincing them, so they have the sleeves covering what is probably still clean bare steel...that could be polished and clear coated to stay nice. Or sprayed with paint or "cold zinc" coating. At that point, if someone gets there eyeball down there close enough to notice it, bonk them on the head with a stick.

 

[Houredout401]

On the k0, that area behind the spring was zinc coated, steel. With the k1 they put a black plastic sleeve over it, and I think they stopped zincing them...bare steel under the sleeve. I think the parts linked are service replacement parts that were made after they stopped zincing them, so they have the sleeves covering what is probably still clean bare steel...that could be polished and clear coated to stay nice. Or sprayed with paint or "cold zinc" coating. At that point, if someone gets there eyeball down there close enough to notice it, bonk them on the head with a stick.

That makes sense. Would be fairly easy to hang and dip in a tank and rezinc.

 

[kirrbby]

Well you would have to be able to protect the chromed rod...damping rod, that comes out of the top. I imagine it's possible..?

 

[scooter]

Looked into such a dipping approach after I get them apart as part of my rebuild - not really feasible to dip. Bottom casting isn't steel and presents the major obstacle.

 

[Houredout401]

I was thinking from the bottom, dipping just until the rod would hit, I'm pretty sure the aluminum would buff back up after the dip, but kirrbys idea of polishing bare steel and then using paint is probably the most practical. Although if you had them apart with the guts out, I would think you could dip upside down, right until the aluminum. I've half plated stuff like shifter rods before by suspending the part above the solution. I love the depth of the knowledge on this site, truly superb input!!

 

[69ST]

Looked into such a dipping approach after I get them apart as part of my rebuild - not really feasible to dip. Bottom casting isn't steel and presents the major obstacle.

FWIW, I agree. In theory, anyway, it's easy enough...either mask the top end, or plug it while the guts are out, then dip the exposed steel portion, apply current and, voila! new zinc plating. It'd be a great way to protect the newly-cut threads on your custom rebuilds. Masking wouldn't be difficult, EPDM caps, or plugs, depending upon whether the shock is intact, or torn down. The trainwreck is getting the shocks to the plating solution. No production shop will want to be bothered. Doing your own plating is more hassle than it's worth...maintaining the solutions, controlling temperature & electrical flow rates to match - then dealing with hazmat compliance :bolt:

 

[scooter]

Doing a one of I agree. But to make it cost effective no bites from the platers I contacted when I told them I had lots. Once the inners are apart, I've had them powder coated, some I polish and clear coat. I wouldn't buy a pair of NOS shocks only to tear them apart. Just go with a rebuild a lot cheaper. My upfront investment was "large" on a relative scale, but it's been averaged over multiple rebuilds

 

[69ST]

I've done enough custom stuff, over enough years, to know exactly what you're talking about. Nobody ever got rich on these bikes...except Honda.

No way I'd tear into NOS shocks either. A thin stainless tube, used as a sleeve, would be a better (not to mention non-invasive) approach...probably cost-prohibitive, too.

Just a suggestion...PC "chrome" might be worth a stab. It usually looks more like soft-polished aluminum, to me - reasonably close to fresh zinc plating, applied to a well-prepped surface.