Rust on lower fork bracket

[flynrider]

I work on Navy aircraft (DOD civilian). Ok, I work on radar, but the mech in our office says that oleo struts work almost exactly like the forks on a motorcycle.

There is very little difference. The three oleo struts on my plane work just like upside down motorcycle forks (i.e. slider is on top). There's a provision for adding pressurized air for additional cushioning effect, which is present on some motorcycle forks (but bikes tend to use vastly lower air pressure).

By the way, after a year out here in the desert, where rain is rare and humidity is below 20% most of the time, not a spot of rust on my CB11. It sits an unheated / uncooled garage uncovered when it's not on the road (which is 3-4 days a week).