Pushrod cylinder paint/color and grommet

[quidpro]

The early pushrod engines - 125 Bronco for eg.- had a cylinder that was dark (black? hard to tell until cleaned). I can't assume it was painted as the whole part is "dark." I think that if I blast it for cleaning it will not be very dark. If I decide to paint it black there are some paints that retain heat and others that do the opposite. Any clues about the correct paint to chose. Also the rubber grommets at the top of the Bronco fork tubes are probably imposible to find but I wonder if I can fabricate something. These do not seem to be there to prevent fork fluid from leaking but merely to cushion where the top meets the yoke. Any ideas about material to try to do this with?

[DreyeIce]

i dont beleive any of these forks were "sealed". i think they are just in an oil bath for lubrication.

on my cadet the bottom cup on the fork where the spring is held and the centre shaft attached to there is no gasket or seal, just a sort of close fit.