`68 Commando 750 original red colour code

Hi all,
still busy with the re build and getting there slowly, does anyone know the original colour code for the red Commando as I am doing a complete spray job and would like it as per the original. Cheers, airwolf.

The original color "signal red" is the same as came on my '72 roadster. I had the original fiberglass side cover analyzed and color matched in PPG urethane. Sorry to say after painting a steel tank, it doesn't really match. The PPG is a bit more orange....I don't like it. The shop said it was a standard color....maybe not. Would like to hear a good answer to your question.

Is this the colour you're talking about?



But I don't know, I don't think there were standard colour codes in 68, at least from Norton. Probably the best you could do is try to match one if you can find an original.

Dave
69S

The colour of the base coat can have more than a little effect on the finished colour .

One outfits got old ' touch up ' cans of ' NORTON ' paint . Even if theyve dried up , its all the ORIGINAL pigment in there .A dash of acetone would disolve it .

Then some genius could get it spectro anylised , or matched . etc .

"original colour code for the red Commando" is probably not repeatable in today's modern paints. In other words, back in 68 that tank was painted with either lacquer or enamel paints, which don't exist today in modern formulas. If you could find the code, you could maybe find someone to mix it up in a state that still allows it. For example, I was able to have some lacquer for my wheels and dash mixed in Nevada, but not California. The paint store said the pigments were not as good as they used to be and starting to disappear from the market. When I restored my 67 Firebird, I thought I could take the GM paint code down to my local paint store and have it mixed up. Boy, was I naive. I was able to get five swatches of what they thought it was painted on metal strips. Then I found a metal piece on the car that had not faded over time, and had a color expert (architect) eyeball it and make the best choice. It came out pretty well, but not perfect.

Thanks for all the replies, I will get in touch with another member of Classic Bike club in South Africa, I have seen him on a Red Commando but do not know him personnaly, time for an intro, will update with info recieved. Cheers, airwolf

I've got a fastback tail section in the original red gelcoat - the tool tray moulding is a very rich (and attractive) red compared to the rather beaten up outer, but I'll get a match for both when I'm down at the paint suppliers next (you'll have to bear with me, but only for a few days)