Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I know this subject has been beaten to death but I'm restoring a 79 cr250 and want to get this right. First off what paint is giving good results and also is the regular paint suitable for the engine or is there a different paint for the engine. Any new info would be appreciated.

I would like to know as well because the engine on my 81 has a little orange in it and the frame doesn't.

you can use 2 pack paint for all. engine in satin, rest is glossy.
the color is the same, the sun bleaches the original engine paint more than the rest.
use an etch-primer for all engineparts.

_________________
80 CR250Ra
80 CR250Ra
78 CR250R
80 CR80
82 Bultaco Sherpa 340
78 Bultaco Pursang 250 MK12
76 Bultaco Frontera 370 MK10
76 Bultaco Alpina 250
73 Bultaco Lobito 125 MK6
76 Suzuki RM125A
90 Kawasaki KX250

The Tahitian Red fades over time and goes orange. And this appears to be different between frame, tank (look on the underside) and the engine. Also the original engine paint was flat red, while frame etc. were obviously gloss. I have a NOS unused rear engine mount as a template and it is a very bright red. Nothing like what aged parts look like.

Tahitian Red spray paint used to be available, and may be available from the likes of VMX Racing. Someone on this board did a spectral analysis of Tahitian Red and had powder coat custom made. I have some, but do not know if more is available. I'll let him speak up if appropriate.

My current approach has been to take my Red Racer replica plastic and match to that. I used RHL 3020 powder coat which is freely available. IMHO it is a slightly darker red than Tahitian. But what is more important and consistent look or to be "correct"? Your call.

_________________
Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF

Still no luck with paint in regards to engine. It doesn't seem right that you can use the same paint that you use for painting your frame and swingarm on the engine. If anyone has some input on this it would be appreciated. I also don't have acces to a good powder coater.

I just used Duplicolor DE1632 red Chrysler engine paint on my whole bike..Pretty good match and holds up well to oil and gas after it cures. Got it at O rieleys @6.50 a can. if it helps have also used the VMX tahitian red before but was thin and didnt hold up well to gas and oil.

I am in the process of restoring my 79 cr250 went with vmx paint here is what it looks like so far. Paint covers nice.



another project

Has anyone tried this paint?

http://www.ct70paint.com/tahitian-red.html

I need to paint 2 '79 CR250R's and would like to use something that's accurate, durable & easy to apply.

Terry

Wow...thats really expensive! It still needs to be clear coated. If you buy the VMX brand (rattle can), release the pressure, remove the paint and spray it in a spray gun, it looks much better than spraying out of the can. Much cheaper too.