Ossa Fuel Tank Paint Colour

[mattylad]

I need to repaint the fuel tank on a 1975 Ossa and wondered exactly what the white base colour was when new.

I went to my local paint supplier and the number of "whites" avaliable is quite amazing!!!

I think it should be slightly more creamy white than pure brilliant white but what would be the correct RAL code

Any help greatfully received.

[woody]

I've used either Ford Diamond White or Ermine White. Diamond is quite bright but the Ermine, as used on Lotus Cortina and Twincam Escort is still a nice gloss finish but has a more creamy appearance and works well with the green stripe. Don't know the RAL code but should be easy to find.

The problem is finding the right stripes. Most that are available on ebay or wherever seem to be the wrong green (too dark) or the wrong shape (like the Miller stripes)

[twinshock giles]

I've used either Ford Diamond White or Ermine White. Diamond is quite bright but the Ermine, as used on Lotus Cortina and Twincam Escort is still a nice gloss finish but has a more creamy appearance and works well with the green stripe. Don't know the RAL code but should be easy to find.

The problem is finding the right stripes. Most that are available on ebay or wherever seem to be the wrong green (too dark) or the wrong shape (like the Miller stripes)

Hi Woody, which ones on ebay are the wrong colour - I think theres only 2 people sell them (one of them is me)- I know my shape is good but i'm now worrying about the colour.

Cheers

Giles

All feedback appreciated.

[woody]

Hi Giles - I think you both use the same colour. In fairness (as I didn't mean it in a critical way) the green you use seems to be the same as the decals that were available many years ago when the bikes were current and for a few years afterwards until supplies dried up as I remember buying them myself from local dealers or Millers.

The bikes were originaly fitted with fibreglass tanks and these were removed when they came to the UK and the alloy tank fitted. The original factory decals wouldn't fit as the tanks were different shapes so new decals must have been made in the UK for the UK shape tank. Somewhere along the line the colour changed to a darker green from the original factory colour (I still have an old 1970s set which are waterslide, which I used as a pattern to have some new decals made for myself around 1990 when none were available, albeit in a lighter green)

As an idea of the shade of green they used at the factory, have a look here at this catalogue picture which shows the lighter green of the original colour scheme

http://www.ataq.qc.ca/galerie/showimg.php?file=/Mus%E9e/Ossa/ossa1974_250MAR.jpg

[twinshock giles]

Hi Giles - I think you both use the same colour. In fairness (as I didn't mean it in a critical way) the green you use seems to be the same as the decals that were available many years ago when the bikes were current and for a few years afterwards until supplies dried up as I remember buying them myself from local dealers or Millers.

The bikes were originaly fitted with fibreglass tanks and these were removed when they came to the UK and the alloy tank fitted. The original factory decals wouldn't fit as the tanks were different shapes so new decals must have been made in the UK for the UK shape tank. Somewhere along the line the colour changed to a darker green from the original factory colour (I still have an old 1970s set which are waterslide, which I used as a pattern to have some new decals made for myself around 1990 when none were available, albeit in a lighter green)

As an idea of the shade of green they used at the factory, have a look here at this catalogue picture which shows the lighter green of the original colour scheme

http://www.ataq.qc.ca/galerie/showimg.php?file=/Mus%E9e/Ossa/ossa1974_250MAR.jpg

LOL I used to use that colour then people complained that it was too light! The shape of mine came from an original set - never thought to check if they were for the alloy of fibreglass tank though. Will put a note on mine from now on (next time they are listed) so people can specify the lighter shade.