Thread: Question about rear shock springs

This maybe a stupid question. I am restoring a 1970 CT70K0 that I found in a barn. The rear shock springs are pretty rusty except for the section that was under the shock cover. This part of the spring looks brand new. I have scrubbed and polished the original spring as best and I can but I can't get it to look as clean and new as the section that was under the cover.

Can I reassemble the rear shock and flip the spring upside down so that the ugly section is now under the cover and the shiny part is showing? Will this affect performance of the shock?

Thanks!

They'll look different to those who are anal-retentive about shocks, but there's no downside performance-wise. The coil spacing is different top-to-bottom. It can be a good way of improving appearance for no money, as long as there's enough decent chrome left.