1974 Commando Paint - Blue

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If you can’t find a match to original this one is nice. Looks darker.
Flake company is TCP. Flake size should be .004”.
 

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A photo is really tough as both film
and digi show colours differently as does each camera or brand. What light you see the colour in matters too.

Yup. The only way to get it really close os to shoot it with a separation guide. Much easier to color correct with digital in post, rather than with gels when shooting film. Just make the grays gray, whites white, and blacks black with detail in all. No sweat. ;-)
1974 Commando Paint - Blue
 
Yes good point. I can use Canon software that is provided with the camera to adjust the raw files to any temperature I want. In tandem with proper colour chips you can get close. Don't forget monitors are all different and same with the photo software you are viewing the photo on.
You would think by now that all this stuff would be sorted by the computer people and be a universal thing.
Nope...
 
I have been away for awhile, and am very pleased with all the great responses!

My wife of 42 years succumbed to her 35 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis on 1/23. I was blessed to have been able to take care of her at home until the end as I promised her so long ago.


I am starting to get back to thinking about motorcycles. I will let you know how the blue paint works out
 
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This thread was devoted to fire flake blue.

http://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/726619/850-fireflake-blue

Would you be able to tell what the month/year date is on your steering head tag please.

Your number is very close to my 311032 bike (Dec73 tag)
Is it odd that the registration date on the papers is June 1974 (but the receipt is the month before, pay and wait ?) so the tag date might be interesting.
They also used the stamped number in the frame (beside the riveted plate) as the chassis number (mine being 105226)

I will look at my date tag tonight.

My frame number is 103583. The VMCC confirmed that mine is an Italian made frame
 
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The Factory did not see it as a frame/chassis number so its not part of the despatch records until the Factory changed its mind and for the MK3 it became the frame/chassis number. But pre MK3 once it left the factory it could and was used by the local vehicle registration bods, mine is in the 104XXX range and is on my V5 (UK title equivalent) as the frame number despite the engine number stamped on the red plate close by.

Dave Comeau has the best explanation for this stamping on the frame.

http://atlanticgreen.com/commandoframes.htm
 
I will look at my date tag tonight.

My frame number is 103583. The VMCC confirmed that mine is an Italian made frame

Good to see you back and thanks for the reply.
I saw your post elsewhere and hope you are well considering.
 
This thread was devoted to fire flake blue.

http://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/726619/850-fireflake-blue

Would you be able to tell what the month/year date is on your steering head tag please.

Your number is very close to my 311032 bike (Dec73 tag)
Is it odd that the registration date on the papers is June 1974 (but the receipt is the month before, pay and wait ?) so the tag date might be interesting.
They also used the stamped number in the frame (beside the riveted plate) as the chassis number (mine being 105226)


Dec 73 here also
 
you did see a few the same blue as here , thereabouts . back in the day , in N.Z. .

1974 Commando Paint - Blue


Woulda ben around 74 models too , as 750 and 850 . we wont mention Burgundy .

Try & find a picture of p. w.'s 750 Roadster .
Think it was blue but not sure which,
He and Croxford were gifted road bikes .
 
If you had a brand new tank hidden away from the elements you would still have a hard time getting one painted the same today. For one thing, there would be no clear coat and the pin stripes would not be nearly as well done as most do them today, and by the time you polished the oxidation off and waxed, the pin stripes might be gone.

Blake Conway in CA does my painting. I simply leave it up to him. For instance, he suggested that I do one red (I think he was tired of painting black for me). I asked him about it and he said it was a metallic nearly pure red. I said OK, but I hate the giant flakes Norton used in some. He said, not to worry, they would be tiny flakes. The tank and side covers are beautiful. Do they match the original red - no, it's modern paint with clear coat. Is the color close? Probably - Blake is meticulous. The pin stripes are so good that most think they were done by machine - they were not.

He has painted a variety of Triumph tanks for me - much harder to get right than Norton - all beautiful!

I send him bare metal, he does any welding/body work needed. A long as it's not extensive, it's a part of the painting price.
 
I am thinking it might be worthwhile to buy this NOS cover on eBay for the painter's benefit.

1974 Commando Paint - Blue
 
I am thinking it might be worthwhile to buy this NOS cover on eBay for the painter's benefit.

This cover is for a series 1 bike, 69"S", the only other "color" application in factory advertisements I have found is a S1 70 fastback, which does not use this side cover type.

1974 Commando Paint - Blue
Not sure if this color is also used as 1971 IPL fireflake royal blue
 
The tins were dropped off with the painter today. I will post pictures when Craig is done with them. Thanks for all the help guys!
 
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