Nope this is the original color of the stanchions the Kashima coating on these Kowa forks are very different then the Fox counterpart,these changes from color depending how much light it shines on the stanchions they go from very dark brown to a lighter brown color.
@fantaman: i love the looks of the lighter one...it matches the orange on the frame tremendously well! Like in the next photo.. My god what a custom machine you've made!!