Cardinal Red Paint

[RichV]

I'm trying to research the color of my 81 XS1100SH. After striping the paint on the tank and side panels, I found that the original color was red. This model year came in a blue-black or cardinal red color.

Does anyone know where I can get this color which is true to the original bike? Although there are plenty of Cardinal Reds out there, they may not match the original.

Any help and /or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[RichV]

Engine Paint

I'm trying to restore the engine as best I can and want to repaint the case and cylinders. Can someone tell me what the best paint is for this task? I would like to match the original as close as possible.

The engine is silver/aluminum with black cylinders and valve cover.

I have looked through the forums and found different colors that were used but found it a bit confusing. I'm looking for a rattle can solution but I could also use my paint sprayer.

[Schming]

Hi Rich, not sure about the Cardinal Red but I'm subscribed 'cause my SF will need repainted someday.

I used Dupli-color 500* engine enamel with ceramic - DE1650 Cast Coat Aluminum for my '80Gs block and IMHO a great match.

Here's a pic:



I used the same paint in gloss black on my XJ 750 and it has held up well over the last three years.

[RichV]

I used Dupli-color 500* engine enamel with ceramic - DE1650 Cast Coat Aluminum for my '80Gs block and IMHO a great match.

I used the same paint in gloss black on my XJ 750 and it has held up well over the last three years.

This looks great. I noticed you used the gloss black on the XJ. I think I need a flat for the black parts and I see they make an "Iron Engine" color that looks like a plain black flat.

Was a clear coat on top required? What do you use as a primer or is it even needed?

Also, how did you paint your frame?

[cajun31]

May or may not help

I found this on the web. I know that the 006G is the right code for New Yamaha Black. I am just presuming that 004H is the right code for the Cardinal Red.

Here is the link.

https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/special-pages/bigfooter/yamaha/color-codes.aspx

[cajun31]

Check this site out as well

http://www.colorrite.com/

[RichV]

I found this on the web. I know that the 006G is the right code for New Yamaha Black. I am just presuming that 004H is the right code for the Cardinal Red.

Here is the link.

https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/...lor-codes.aspx

I found the same chart with the code 004H CDR. I can't find any other reference to it anywhere. This is probably the right color, I just need to find someone that can make it.

[RichV]

http://www.colorrite.com/

I went to this site and the colors shown only cover 1990 and later for Yamahas. If you enter Cardinal Red, it comes up with a Kaw and Triumph colors.

I sent them an email over two weeks about without receiving a response.

[RichV]

I did find two other sites:

http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31104

http://thexscafedotcom.wordpress.com/2011/02/02/xs650-paint/

In the first one, they are discussing using duplicolor BFM0317 Electric Currant Red Mat or DSFM317 as a close match. I may check it out but I would still like to get a true match.

[Schming]

This looks great. I noticed you used the gloss black on the XJ. I think I need a flat for the black parts and I see they make an "Iron Engine" color that looks like a plain black flat.

Was a clear coat on top required? What do you use as a primer or is it even needed?

Also, how did you paint your frame?

Hi Rich, I didn't use any clear coat or primer on the engine, as there is too much heat for those.

I used the gloss black on my XJ 750 'cause the rest of the engine is Black Chrome, close enough for my DD/ parts getter.

On my '80G, I painstakenly degreased the engine, with Easy Off oven cleaner (blue can), and used a red scotchbrite pad and scrubbed the surface to get a bite for the new paint. In between the fins and the other tight areas I used a dremel tool with a similar scuffing bit.

Final clean before painting, with brake klean spray and an air compressor to blow it dry.

I didn't remove the engine but removed the front mount bolts and brackets.
Then loosening the rear mount bolt I jacked the engine up as high as it would go wrapped the frame in plastic and shot the engine.
After the engine dried I wrapped it in plastic and scuffed the frame with red scotchbrite and shot the frame with Rustoleum Professional primer and gloss black.

The Rustoleum Professional paint, when sprayed right, ends up with the same smooth hard finish as the original frame, only it takes a long time to cure.

My '80G wasn't weathered at all, but my SF is, and will require me to pull the engine and bead blast it to prepare for paint.
Also, the frame on my SF will get sand blasted before refinishing.

Oh, I have to admit a brain fart as my SF is Carmine Red. Code anyone?

[Prothec]

...
Oh, I have to admit a brain fart as my SF is Carmine Red. Code anyone?

Here is the link.

https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/...lor-codes.aspx

That link shows 00E9.

[RichV]

Cardinal Red paint found

Well I found a site that sells paint matched to the Yamaha colors.

http://www.rsbikepaint.com/en-us/colours.php

I don't know if they are good or bad but I do know they are more expensive than other suppliers. They're in the UK so it takes a week for the paint to arrive.

Anyway, they have Cardinal Red for the 1981 XS1100SH and they claim it's a direct match.

Does anyone know about these guys?

[Old Red]

I have a 1981 XS11 Cardinal red bike. In 1982 I painted a set of bags and trunk to match it. The local auto parts and paint store mixed the paint for me. Back in the day they had books of different manufactory’s paint chips. I carried in a side cover and started looking for a match; about an hour later I found one that was really close. It was a candy apple red for a F150 Ford truck. The paint called for a silver base coat under the red. Red paint has a lot of clear and does not cover well.

If you find the cardinal red, I would start with a silver base.

The Other Earl

[Radioguylogs]

They don't call you Old Red for nothin' !

[Old Red]

She was a bad back in her younger days, when she was just called Red.

The Other Earl