1968 Norton Commando paint colour

B+Bogus · Jan 29, 2016

Interesting photos of the candy green - it looks a bit like a re-paint, but as there's more than one around it could well be a 'factory' job?

I recall reading there was some resistance in the US to the bland original launch colours, hence the candy red/metalflake silver combo was quickly introduced sometime in '68.
Until then I'd assumed the tanks & seat fairings were all 'self-coloured' i.e., in the gelcoat.

I wonder if the candy green was done pre-delivery by the US importers?
I guess we'll never know...

Nice colour though

jimbo · Jan 29, 2016

I have more photos of the other tanks, Photobucket is broke, maybe I broke it!

jimbo · Jan 30, 2016

heres more, this tank is the original that came on the bike, I was told years ago by a previous owner that owned the bike before several others ,no other than Brian Slark that the bike should have not ever been painted , it should be the gel coat color in the fiberglass . I could tell by some wear under the seat area that it was British Racing Green fiberglass a solid under the Candy Apple Green. The Tail section had the same Candy apple Green of course , however there was cracking in the fiberglass. I figured I should repair the tail. So in a very weak minded moment ,reinforced by some bad information, that I never forgave myself for, I stripped the paint, the tank is very nice in BRG fiberglass gelcoat, but I think I removed the factory (or factory designated)finish. The underside still shows the Candy Apple Green and similar markings.

jimbo · Jan 30, 2016

heres the underside of the original tank and a photo of the bike before I stripped the paint years ago

jimbo · Jan 30, 2016

heres a photo of another Fastback with original Candy Apple Green, notice the hokey original style badge double sided tape squares

jimbo · Jan 30, 2016

here another of my bike with the new reproduction Burton Bikes tank refinished as found years ago

BillT · Feb 2, 2016

My favorite color for the '68 is the 2-tone - metallic silver base coat with the candy red top coat with the side panels of the tank and center part of the tail section left silver, with a fine black pin stripe on the border. same color mix as the G15/N15 and P11s, but with a twist

jimbo · Feb 2, 2016

BillT said:
My favorite color for the '68 is the 2-tone - metallic silver base coat with the candy red top coat with the side panels of the tank and center part of the tail section left silver, with a fine black pin stripe on the border. same color mix as the G15/N15 and P11s, but with a twist

I'm not sure that was a 68 color scheme , nice though

Rohan · Feb 2, 2016

Yes, that Red/Silver 2 tone scheme was announced for 1969 Fastbacks.
Great looking scheme.

Those initials scratched under the paint on the base of your green tank would suggest a repaint ?

jimbo · Feb 2, 2016

Rohan said:
Yes, that Red/Silver 2 tone scheme was announced for 1969 Fastbacks.
Great looking scheme.

Those initials scratched under the paint on the base of your green tank would suggest a repaint ?

Note; look at all the photos, the marks are on both original tanks , are similar but somewhat different and are in the same area , how can that be explained unless it was done in the same facility ? :shock:

Rohan · Feb 2, 2016

jimbo said:
unless it was done in the same facility ?

That could explain a lot......

I liked a previous suggestion here that the importer may have been involved in this.
That possibly needs to be looked into.
(although could be a bit tricky after all these years.).

bobunome · Dec 8, 2016

jimbo said:
heres more, this tank is the original that came on the bike, I was told years ago by a previous owner that owned the bike before several others ,no other than Brian Slark that the bike should have not ever been painted , it should be the gel coat color in the fiberglass . I could tell by some wear under the seat area that it was British Racing Green fiberglass a solid under the Candy Apple Green. The Tail section had the same Candy apple Green of course , however there was cracking in the fiberglass. I figured I should repair the tail. So in a very weak minded moment ,reinforced by some bad information, that I never forgave myself for, I stripped the paint, the tank is very nice in BRG fiberglass gelcoat, but I think I removed the factory (or factory designated)finish. The underside still shows the Candy Apple Green and similar markings.

jimbo:

I have a '68 Commando that has been painted Norton red at some point. The ownership indicates green and the inside of my left side cover is the same metallic green as the underside of you tank.

It would sure be nice to know for sure if Norton sent any from the factory in this colour.

Bob

frankdamp · Dec 8, 2016

I left N-V in July 1968. As far as I'm aware, the production bikes into mid '69 were silver with an orange seat. The "Green Blob" was replaced with a "Norton" script decal in the first couple of months of production and may even have been a free retrofit. I don't know when the fuel tank was changed to give the depressions for the older-style Norton tank badge to be fitted.

I was too busy getting used to working for Boeing and to the US lifestyle to take much notice of what N-V was doing.

jimbo · Dec 8, 2016

BTW I'm looking for a 1968 fastback tail in the original metallic green and a set of non repop badges :mrgreen:

L.A.B. · Dec 8, 2016

frankdamp said:
I left N-V in July 1968. As far as I'm aware, the production bikes into mid '69 were silver with an orange seat. The "Green Blob" was replaced with a "Norton" script decal in the first couple of months of production and may even have been a free retrofit.

Although a few very early Commandos appear to have escaped from the factory with silver frames and/or orange seats, the vast majority of early machines had black frames and seats and silver, green or red bodywork, I've yet to see a photo of an early production bike with a green blob.

Cycle World, 1968

"TYT 63F", the 1968 UK press test Commando:

bobunome · Dec 8, 2016

jimbo said:
BTW I'm looking for a 1968 fastback tail in the original metallic green and a set of non repop badges :mrgreen:

jimbo:

I have a '68 tail section that was originally metallic green and is now Norton red. Unfortunately it is required for my motorcycle. Someone has painted everything Norton red but my ownership says green and I will return it to green.

I have been experimenting with Dupli-Color acrylic enamel paints and have found a combination that is really close.

-charcoal grey primer, Dupli-Color Metal Specks shimmering green CMS500 with CDA1692 Crystal Clear top coat. The "C" in the part number is a Canadian thing I think.

The green is lighter if applied over light grey or silver base/primer since it is a bit translucent. The charcoal primer gives a closer match to the original colour and is closer to BRG. It also has over sized metal specks but not as big as the original Norton metal flake paint.

Bob

jimbo · Dec 8, 2016

BTW pretty early one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-Norton-COM ... 2027956259

bobunome · Dec 8, 2016

jimbo said:
BTW I'm looking for a 1968 fastback tail in the original metallic green and a set of non repop badges :mrgreen:

jimbo:

I also need the original badges but may have to settle for the reproduction badges as sold by Walridge and others.

Let me know if you find a source for the OEM badges.

Bob

jimbo · Dec 8, 2016

bobunome said:
jimbo said:

BTW I'm looking for a 1968 fastback tail in the original metallic green and a set of non repop badges :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

jimbo:

I have a '68 tail section that was originally metallic green and is now Norton red. Unfortunately it is required for my motorcycle. Someone has painted everything Norton red but my ownership says green and I will return it to green.

I have been experimenting with Dupli-Color acrylic enamel paints and have found a combination that is really close.

-charcoal grey primer, Dupli-Color Metal Specks shimmering green CMS500 with CDA1692 Crystal Clear top coat. The "C" in the part number is a Canadian thing I think.

The green is lighter if applied over light grey or silver base/primer since it is a bit translucent. The charcoal primer gives a closer match to the original colour and is closer to BRG. It also has over sized metal specks but not as big as the original Norton metal flake paint.

Bob

when I had the Burton body work painted I used my old photos and the underside of my original tank for reference. I think the painter used a candy apple green color over silver and kept applying it until we had it dark enough.

jimbo · Dec 8, 2016

bobunome said:
jimbo said:

BTW I'm looking for a 1968 fastback tail in the original metallic green and a set of non repop badges :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

jimbo:

I also need the original badges but may have to settle for the reproduction badges as sold by Walridge and others.

Let me know if you find a source for the OEM badges.

Bob

there are some around that are close, but not quite right, you never see the reproductions with the proper metallic chrome like finish applied on the back, showing through the clear plastic

1968 Norton Commando paint colour

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