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What are the colours for ‘two-tone grey’?

Submitted by tony_wood on Tue, 23/02/2021
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Heavy Twins

Hi. I’ve looked at a genuine 1961 brochure and there are several colour schemes listed for a 1961 Dommie 99.

One of those colour schemes is listed as ‘two-tone grey’ - but what actual colours make up the ‘two-tone’ effect? It looks like a light grey or cream for the mudguards with the petrol tank done in a darker grey with a light grey/cream band below the tank badges. However,  that doesn’t help identify the specific colours. I’ve seen mention of ‘polychromatic gun metal grey’ in various posts but I think that belongs to an earlier year- possibly late fifties.
I’d like to get the colours reasonably  close to correct, hopefully by using RAL paint code colours as that’s what the spray painter I use bases his colour matches on.

Thanks

Regards

Tony

Submitted by robert_tuck on Tue, 23/02/2021

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If the light grey is Dove grey (and I think it is)  ,make sure you are happy with it , and its not too drab. I have an orriginal  side panel  and the back is unbleached and pretty horrid. 

Submitted by tony_wood on Tue, 23/02/2021

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Thanks Robert. I’ve got an original front mudguard in original paint (so I’ve been assured) and the  colour (Dove Grey?) is more of a ‘dirty cream’ colour than a grey. I can get a reasonably close match to that but it’s the darker petrol tank colour that is a real mystery. I’m not sure if it’s a true grey or more of a brownish grey, just as the mudguard colour is a brownish-tinged cream.

Regards

Tony

Jon,

Absolutely agree with you. RAL 1013 matches Norton Dove Grey when you find some that has not been exposed to dirt or daylight.

Peter

Submitted by philip_hannam1 on Wed, 24/02/2021

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1961 Model 88: Cycle parts – Forest Green, inc. upper tank, with Dove Grey to lower fuel tank,  guards, chain cases/guards and rear units. Optional, Chrome guards.

1961 Model 99: Cycle parts – Polychromatic Grey, inc. upper tank, with Dove Grey to lower fuel tank, guards, chain cases/guards and rear units. Optional, Chrome guards.

1961 Model 88 Deluxe: Cycle parts – Dove Grey. Tank Norton Red & Dove Grey. Optional, Chrome guards.

1961 Model 99 DeLuxe: Cycle parts – Dove Grey. Tank Norton Blue & Dove Grey. Optional, Chrome guards.

1961 Model 88SS: Cycle parts – Forest Green, inc. upper tank, with Dove Grey to lower fuel tank, guards, chain cases/guards and rear units. Optional, Chrome guards.

1961 Model 99SS: Cycle parts – Polychromatic Grey, inc. upper tank, with Dove Grey to lower  fuel tank, oil tank, guards, chain cases/guards.

1961 Manxman 650: (Export Only) Cycle parts – Polychromatic Blue, chrome guards and Red seat with White piping for first 100. Then Black. Note: the Manxman Polychromatic Blue is darker than the 1950-52 Model 77 Polychromatic Blue) After production had reached 400+ bikes a Black Framed model  became an alternative.

1961 Model 650 Standard: Norton Grey painted tank. Grey mudguards with option of Chromed.

1961 Model 650 Deluxe: as per Model 99 Deluxe; Blue and Dove Grey two-tone tank and enclosed bodywork. Dove Grey mudguards.

...Detailed information. It’s now in my book. Regarding modern colour matches I am rarely happy with pre packaged colours and their can to can match.  Technology will identify a match for any sample you scan, but as advised make sure you purchase it in sufficient quantity to complete the job.

Thanks again

 

Jon

Submitted by john_dunn1 on Wed, 24/02/2021

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If you are doing your own spraying.

The nearest I could get to Dove Grey was BLMC/ Rover Arabian Grey which is a cellulose paint.

If you have paint made up in a rattle can make sure you get enough to do the job. Ive just had a second lot put into rattle cans and the colour is slightly darker.

RS Paints do Norton colours. Ive purchased their Tunisian blue which looks a bit darker than the original blue, not tried their Dove Grey.

John.

Submitted by philip_hannam1 on Wed, 24/02/2021

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John.....you have highlighted many of the problems facing Norton owners trying to match original colours. Cellulose versus Acrylic and paint options that are generally from a list 40 years out of date and mostly no longer available. The original Norton list of alternative paints mentions British Leyland, VW and Vauxhall colours from the 70s.

RS paints have a reputation for a good finish but at a cost.  Also their list of model options has many gaps in the Dominator range. Nu Agene also are reputed to do quality work but you have to supply them with a paint code or colour name they recognize. 

We could do with members supplying the NOC with the names of modern spray paint alternatives they have found to be a close match and can be found in most car accessory shops. That's if there are any of these left apart from Halfords.....

Submitted by tony_wood on Wed, 24/02/2021

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Thanks to everyone for contributing information. However, after reading Phillip’s post, I might need to rethink my colour scheme as I’ve already had the frame, chain guard, fork shrouds, headlamp brackets, battery box and oil tank sprayed in black gloss as the factory record certificate that I got from the Club just states ’Black’ as the colour. I therefore assumed that was the correct colour for those items. From what Phillip was saying, it sounds like all those parts should have been sprayed in polychromatic grey - oh well.  

Could the whole bike actually have been black? Did any Dommie 99s ever get factory painted with a black petrol tank as well as the frame, mudguards etc?

My bike was produced in August 1960, so it might be a 1960 model rather than a 1961 bike. (I’m pretty sure  that new models started production in the August of the previous year)

Maybe, to keep things simple, I’ll just get the petrol tank sprayed silver, just like the 650SS.

Regards

Tony

Submitted by philip_hannam1 on Wed, 24/02/2021

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Norton 14 97048  & 14 97049 headed off to Garreau in France at the end of 1961. Both had twin carbs and were all-black. So technically both were either 99 specials or 99SS.  Oddly many months before, seven all-black 650  engined Model 99s had preceded  this bike.  The French Police and Military purchased quite a lot of all black 99, 99SS and early 650 models.

Of possible interest, the next three model 99s with twin carbs, had black frames and Silver tanks but 14 97389 was also all-Black. In May 1961 a small batch of all-Grey 99 Sports Specials are listed with bundles before and after having no tank colour noted......so possibly Silver.

By June 1961 the records show proper 99ss models with tuned engines being produced. These bikes having 99SS stamped at the back of their engines. Extras offered included siamese exhaust pipes, a rev counter and wait for it............a folding kickstart.

Submitted by tony_wood on Wed, 24/02/2021

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Really interesting to hear about all these variations in finish and that the French police and military used Nortons. I wonder how many more ‘unusual’ customers were on Norton’s sales books?

Tony

 

Yes, indeed, it is very interesting considering that the French military and police had such an enduring love affair with the Earles-fork BMW R50, President De Gaulle reputedly did not not share this, objected to being escorted  by them  and a batch of Ratiers had to be kept specially for him.

I can't  see that he would have liked Nortons any better though, so I wonder what they got them for.

Submitted by andy_sochanik on Sat, 27/02/2021

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I'm not sure if the two-tone Grey Domi used 'Dove Grey' as the lighter colour.

Tony Wood mentions " It looks like a light grey or cream " in his original request. Which is it?

Did the Domi use a Cream Colour? There is a BL colour match of Pale Ivory for this.

Dove Grey definitely has a hint of Grey in it, and was used on the two-tone Domi De/Lux and the Lightweight (Birmingham built) bikes. The closest match I have found is British Leyland Arabian Grey, as Phil Hannam says above. (Phil is close to God in Domi matters....)

Some time ago, a helpful chart was produced - I have marked in Red the colours that apply to Lightweight models. I have added in the Pale Blue colour used on Jubilee & Domi De/Lux - (looks like Ever Ready Battery Blue) - Ford Fjord Blue - see attached.

Enjoy!

Attachments
Norton Colour Table.jpg

Submitted by geoff_drury on Sun, 28/02/2021

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A good match for the old Ford Silver Fox, is Holts Auto Spray Paint HSILM 25..

Available in a rattle can from Motosave.  (Other outlets are available).

It's a two stage paint, so needs a clear lacquer top coat.

 



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