Paint Code for Luminous Ruby Red - 1981 KZ1000J

Would there be a paint code in existence for this color, Luminous Ruby Red for a 1981 KZ1000 J? Color-rite doesn't go that far back in their data. Can't seem to find anything on the net about it.

Thanks.

From what I've found looking for various colours for bikes there are unfortunately no such 'codes'. It's why companies such as paintworkz can charge $1400 for a set of Z1 bodywork done in original colours as not many people have the recipe. Your best bet it to take a body part of the bike that has the colour you want on it in useable condition to a painter and have him work to match it. May take awhile but many people have had good luck with it and it won't ding ya $1400.

If you don't have a piece with the colour you want it's still often cheaper to wait until a stock painted part comes up on ebay and have them match that

The reason no one has the codes, is because all of those colors were Candy colors. They are a layered system consisting of 3-4 layers of different colors on to of each other. Each of them being transparent or translucent. This means that it is not the color but the process you will be paying for. Mostly because each layer must be perfect and uniformly thick.

gfmarsh, welcome to the KZR nation. Great to have you here.

These were the colours used for my bike.



See the description but not the colour codes for the different layers used Here .

That's why the codes are not available.

Sorry, I did not find any information on 1981 or the "1000". Other members may have this missing information or know where to find it.

Best of success.
Bill

PS
Please add your year, model and location to your signature to get the best responses... and it's considered real friendly too.
Bill

Not sure if this will be of any help....
Search KZR for Firecracker Red.

These folks may be able to supply the paint or give advice:

www.paintworkz.com/

Hey thanks for all the replies! This is quite the website with nearly 14,000 members.

The previous paint I had on there was pretty close to the original. So we might be able to match it from photos and what is left on the underside of the tank. I was just curious if anyone has come across it before. The three or four stage paint process I will suggest to the bodyshop. Getting an old original panel would be good too. It is an interesting stock colour nonetheless.

I think firecracker red is a GPZ colour.

I'm looking forward to getting the bike running again as it been sitting in my garage under a tarp for 4 years!

Thanks

Here's a description of how one owner reproduced the candy process on his Z1 from this month's Classic Mechanics Motorcycle

Few people realize how complex it can be to return the paintwork to original, particularly on the petrol tank, but the Z1's finish was applied by a true master - Mark Hutchinson. To get it right, first the tank is painted in white, then masked up for some areas to be painted black. Four coats of flake in clear laquer are then applied over the black and white, and orange candy is then sprayed over that. This makes the white areas turn into orange, and the black ones into the original brown.
In other words, when you gaze deep into that lustrous sheen, you're looking through orange candy at layers of flake sitting over white and black.

I think I will definitely go after that paint process. Who knew the factories went to such lengths back then?

I am not 100% sure what color you are after, and maybe I am way off base, but a gorgeous red is the Subaru, Sedona Red. I have listed the paint code below, and a link to a Sedona Red WRX.

Sedona Red Pearl Clearcoat 94H

media.photobucket.com/image/sedona%20red%20wrx/lonz007/wrx1.jpg

It really is a pretty red. Having seen it in person, the pictures don't do it justice.

That might be close, but it's hard to say.

Should look like this...
www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Image:1982-Kawasaki-KZ1000J-Red-2.jpg

Its reminding me of a car that has that same color but its hard to place... It may be a Early vintage datsun, see if any of these will work.

www2.zhome.com:81/History/ZColorGallary/index.html

i think 110 red is close.

www2.zhome.com:81/History/ZColorGallary/110Red2.jpg