I was reading that earlier bikes shock design also took into account the sidewall flex of the tires to help dampen the ride. Newer tires and better technology yields less side wall flex and a slightly stiffer ride as a result.
When I flipped my shock assembly, I also flipped the spring where the tighter wound part of the spring was showing through at the bottom, it gives it a beefier look and less of a dirt bike looking spring that way.
http://www.fourwheelforum.com/attach...8&d=1306884159
Shocks seem to come up a lot on ebay although, the color you want them in is a crap shoot...I don't think I've seen white ones on there ever unless on a bike being sold...so good luck on original white ones. I think chroming the spring and painting the cover you do have white would definitely carry massive eye appeal, if you decide on that route.