Frame color and finish

powerdoc · Sep 29, 2011

Well, I put a new question in an old thread but I think it probably deserves it's own thread. Frame color is black but was the original finish a very shiny black or was it somewhat matte? I'm hopefully getting down to the bare frame this w/e and need to touch-up some rusty spots so the whole frame may get painted. I don't remember from my "childhood", when the '75 850 was in a showroom, how shiny the frame was on the factory finish. Does anyone have a good hi-res photo that you can post the url of that shows the factory finish?

grandpaul · Sep 29, 2011

Glossy.

DogT · Sep 29, 2011

I would say at least the black was like a satin black, you can look through the brochures here http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... chures.htm I, however, went with liquid black.

Dave
69S

steveyacht · Sep 29, 2011

DogT said:
I would say at least the black was like a satin black, you can look through the brochures here http://www.classicbike.biz/Norton/Broch ... chures.htm I, however, went with liquid black.

Dave
69S

WIth all due respect to Dave, Satin was not it. I have had the pleasure of taking more than one new Norton from the crate when they were new, setting them up for delivery. It was a gloss black, but not glossy as enamel, or powder coating it was more like a high quality Laquer paint.

I recall having to remove cosmolene from them abd they were quite glossy when cleaned up.

bwolfie · Sep 29, 2011

I remember un-crating new honda's in the early 90's when I worked at the local dealer. What a pain getting all the protective coatings off. Almost worse than road grime.

powerdoc · Sep 29, 2011

Looking at the brochures, that black looks pretty reflective; I guess it'll be glossy then! Perhaps any matte appearance was due to roughness of the underlying metal. BTW, are all the frame decals available as repros?

DogT · Sep 29, 2011

I never saw a new Norton in the age, and mine was always covered in oil and dirt, so I just assumed it was a rather satin, but not flat. I've been wrong before. I just didn't think it was as bright as the new glossy powder coats.

Dave
69S

hudson29 · Sep 29, 2011

I remember my original 1970 Commando having a glossy black finish on the frame. It would really shine after a wipe with an oily rag or when waxed.

Vintage Paul

ILLF8ED · Sep 29, 2011

powerdoc said:
Looking at the brochures, that black looks pretty reflective; I guess it'll be glossy then! Perhaps any matte appearance was due to roughness of the underlying metal. BTW, are all the frame decals available as repros?

Speaking for '72 year, not many if any frame decals. "MADE IN ENGLAND" was on the rear fender. There is a Norton Villiers aluminum stick on sqare logo under the seat on my '72 - not really a decal.

Frame color and finish

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