What colors should I paint my new race bike ?

[scott g]

What colors should I paint my new race bike ?

That is certainly a question most of us have faced,
and the answers are sometimes a problem.

1)  Do my sponsor's logos want a similar or contrasting color.

2)  Do I use colors identifiable with the brand ? - like Kawasaki Green


A few years ago, I visited this museum in England,
and was pleasantly surprised by the variety of shapes,
colors, and color combinations on display !

http://www.nrm.org.uk/ourcollection

The Duchess of Hamilton was kind of simple
with only three colors, but look at the aerodynamic shape !

https://www.google.com/search?q=duchess+of+hamilton+locomotive&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjIl47LmbnWAhVDTSYKHdLnDSAQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1120&bih=597

The British may not have invented the concept of LIVERY
(Special outfits, like uniforms) but they raised to to high art.

https://www.google.com/search?q=livery&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiH3bSRmrnWAhVFQiYKHU2OCHEQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1120&bih=597

With these railroad engines and cars, they might use
as many as seven(7) colors, in several combinations.

Then, as now, you could tell who was who, as they went speeding by.

Railroad or MotoGP

[scott g]

Some of these railroad liveries are pretty modern

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1120&bih=597&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=livery+railroad&oq=livery+railroad&gs_l=psy-ab.3...288518.290742.0.291621.9.9.0.0.0.0.130.667.8j1.9.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.5.440...0j0i67k1j0i8i30k1.0.pLbtgYV-Noo

And the practice continues with subway trains:

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1120&bih=597&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=livery+subway&oq=livery+subway&gs_l=psy-ab.3...62372.64178.0.64977.6.6.0.0.0.0.124.599.3j3.6.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.3.307...0j0i8i30k1.0.OOc4Dcmqm-Q

Can we forget NASCAR ?

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1120&bih=597&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=livery+nascar&oq=livery+nascar&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i8i30k1.150321.151657.0.152873.6.6.0.0.0.0.100.488.5j1.6.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.6.485...0j0i5i30k1j0i24k1.0.F7HnCQBp-tU

(Admittedly, looking at Nascar cars turning left may be like walking
down the detergent isle at the grocery store, but can you NOT like the M&M car ?

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1120&bih=597&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=livery+nascar&oq=livery+nascar&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i8i30k1.150321.151657.0.152873.6.6.0.0.0.0.100.488.5j1.6.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.6.485...0j0i5i30k1j0i24k1.0.F7HnCQBp-tU

The GULF fuel racing design is IMMEDIATELY recognizable (That's the whole ppoint)
and in it's basic design has only three colors, powder blue, orange, and a black srtripe.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1120&bih=597&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=gulf+racing+livery&oq=livery+gulf&gs_l=psy-ab.1.1.0i8i30k1l4.182585.183924.0.187753.4.4.0.0.0.0.120.431.0j4.4.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.4.428...0.0.UiHJJfGxw1E
(Notice the DUCATI in Gulf livery .....)



(Notice the DUCATI in Gulf livery .....)

[turbojonn]

I like the red/burgandy train but I wonder how much of the cool look is due to the shape of the train's nose.

How about gloss black with satin black inset graphics and green trim?

[scott g]

How about gloss black with satin black inset graphics and green trim?

Didn't YAMAHA do that ?

Or was it KAWASAKI...............?

[MJ Williams]

The John Player black and gold is timeless

[scott g]

[quote author=turbojonn link=topic=166044.msg1593420#msg1593420 date=1506136472]

I like the red/burgandy train but I wonder how much
of the cool look is due to the shape of the train's nose.


[/quote]

Certainly shape affects the use of color.

I think the train would look VERY different
 in JUST a dark blue.....

[scott g]

The John Player black and gold is timeless

And, for many years, VERY identifiable [/b][/size]!

[scott g]

The Mallard steam engine is reportedly the world's fastest, at about 126 mph.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mallard+steam+locomotive+at+speed&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjtprrinbzWAhXC1CYKHWRcCMAQ_AUICygC&biw=1120&bih=579

[scott g]

On a lighter note:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiuCM2Bj0EI

[TURBO KING]

Bright metallic blue and Hi-Viz neon yellow.

Remind you of anyone?

Walt