It might be stainless, but aged so long it has an aluminum-like sheen to it.
I'm going to try your oxalic acid treatment today.
CA77 Early Engine Question
G-Man - The oxalic acid treat seems to have worked great; I let the muffler end soak for about two days and was able to get a pick down in between the sides of the rusted-in header pipe and gradually tap it out and away from the walls of the muffler w/ no damage to the muffler neck itself. Pulled out the rotten remnants of the header like a bad tooth...
Its an acid, folks, and a poison, so don't breathe it, smell it taste it or do anything otherwise stupid with it, but it does work. I got it at a pool supply store for about $8 for about 4 ounces, plenty for a small jobs. And it seems to be doing a number on the totally rusted side-stand spring and header spacers I took out too; so yeah, thumbs up! John
I'm pretty sure I heard about it on this forum so what goes around comes around. It's very kind to chrome parts too. Removes the rust and brightens the surface, too. Glad it worked for you. It's the ultimate 'lazy man' restoration product. G
'60 C77 '60 C72 '62 C72 Dream '63 CL72
'61 CB72 '64 CB77 '65 CB160 '66 Matchless 350 '67 CL77 '67 S90 '77 CB400F
Actually it's quite safe to use as long as you don't eat it or repeatedly contact it on your skin. Oxalic acid is a weak acid found widely in plants, rhubarb being the classic example. It can properly be disposed of in municipal sewage. An alternative that works well is citric acid. As far as I can tell it is the main (only?) active ingredient in Metal Rescue. Do not, by the way, soak your zinc parts (carbs, fuel cock etc.) in either. The result will be a dull and pitted part, not the shiny one you might hope for. Don't ask how I know. :-(
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