cheers guys � my mind can rest easy.

Just assumed if it were stainless it would be all shiny like a 1200GS

Stainless-ish is good enough for me � I'll keep covering it with ACF for the time being as it looks like Somerset council bought more salt than they needed are are finding new and exciting ways of getting rid of it on our local roads, but once the summer's here again I'll leave it alone.