Topic: original color of master cylinder

[eigenvector]

I notice that when I pull back the rubber cover that goes over the brake banjo bolt the master cylinder is black(ish) under there, whereas the rest of it is an unidentifiable greyish color.  Same for the left side controls - kind of a silvery dark grey(ish) color.

My first thought is "Hey, the black paint bleached away by the sun and now it's grey(ish)"

But is that right?  On a '77 CB550k, what is the factory color of the master cylinder, left hand control cover, etc...

[754]

You are partially correct, its anodized.... Then it got faded.
 Hard to restore correctly.

[Ujeni]

Honda used chromic anodizing back then. If you take your part to most anodizers, they will try to anodize it using a sulphuric method. It won't come out right. Find someone who can do chromic if you are looking for the correct result. Here's the original master cylinder and controls on sandcast #410 after restoration: 

[eigenvector]

Alright, thanks that explains what I see.

I don't see myself getting it redone any time soon.

[754]

Ujeni is it hard to find a chromic anodizer ?
We cut down some Laverda brake pistons and got them hard anodized locally..but he really does not want to do the work.
 I should note on your bike that there is no rubber boot on the fitting end of the master cylinder. I finally realized thru the parts book that they only came out after the first 1000plus were made..

[ekpent]

 The fitting is a different shape on the hose mount also on the early bikes,no bend to it just a straight mount.