Classic & Vintage - What's your favorite vintage paint scheme?

I like the main triangle one color and the head tube a different color that was popular in the later 70s, but I think my favorite is the half-chromed forks at the start of the 80s. What about you?

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Of course this S10S LTD has both :)

I always felt Basso, Puch, and Miyata had a beautiful sense of color. The two-tone Lotos were real stunners. There's also something about Bridgestone's color schemes- you can spot them from a block away. The 'rainbow' Serottas were always really pretty.

A bike that really caught my attention years ago was the Mondia Special with the fade to chrome on the forks and stays and the "airbrush" two color fade adjacent to the chrome lugs.
Too much money, and when I could afford one, tool long and relaxed geometry wise but a real standout at the time.

Otherwise, Red. As Red bikes are faster. If not red, a solid non metallic bright color. Then there is tuxedo Black....

I mean, scientifically, red is faster, but sometimes you are going for classy instead of fast :)

Also, the fade paint jobs of the late 80s early 90s are also so clearly fast that the colors are being peeled right off.

Lagoon Blue and White.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Raleigh%20Grand%20Sports%201973/GrandSports008a.jpg

Moto's red and black is a real close second!

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh117/auchencrow/Motobecane%20Grand%20Jubile%20-%201972%20Red/MotobecaneGrJubile-1972Red031a.jpg

Faema. Every other answer is wrong.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ExxoAlNyE-o/TuKFsXEf-pI/AAAAAAAAGlk/1LtCy6jaaEA/s800/P1020225.JPG

Faema. Every other answer is wrong.

Faema : Fabbrica Apparecchiature Elettromeccaniche e Affini) primarily engaged in the production of espresso machines,

Ya got me there.

Yep, coffee machines, and a winning bike team. They had a good kid who raced for them.

I'm not very good at visualizing paint schemes, I just let the bike catch my eye. Like this Olmo Competition I just posted http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/868383-A-Very-Nice-Olmo-on-Ebay

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http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=77528&d=1355973620

I had a picture of one of these on my bedroom wall for several years, so it is a nostalgic thing. I love the pearlescent paint, bright orange lettering, and chrome.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OvHID8vypMQ/TAa9Pj76NbI/AAAAAAAAAyU/b5xHYg75YNc/s1600/Peugeot_1980_USA_Racing_Catalog_CFX10_SuperCompetition_BikeBoomPeugeot.jpg

http://www.cadre.org/Merckx/catalog/Eddy%20Merckx%201990/CCF25022008_00004.jpg

For some reason I can't explain, I like the bikes I've seen with the rear triangle being a different color than the main triangle. I loved the look of my 86 Bridgestone 300 with a green main triangle, white rear, and white fork. After the white cable housing and bar-tape, it was freakin' sweet. That general paint scheme with the right bar-tape and cables always make for a great looking bike(given the right colors, of course). Then there's also black or red with white accents and white cables/tape. A white seat helps too. It seems I'm big on solid colors with white as a second color...

#1 is celeste (Bianchi, of course). But, since I don't have one a metallic blue/yellow scheme is what I'm drawn to most these days.

Faema : Fabbrica Apparecchiature Elettromeccaniche e Affini) primarily engaged in the production of espresso machines,

Ya got me there.

When I used to wear my FAEMA wool jersey in public, several people asked me if I worked for the federal agency handling, or not handling, the Katrina disaster at that time.

I like black. Nothing sets off chrome and polished aluminum like black.

I like the late 80's Rossin color Schemes, the Ghibli is tops on my list.

This...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/French_Bicycles/Motobecane_Bicycles/Motobecane_Gran_Jubilee_57/Motobecane_GJ_Fenders/Motobe_GJ_Fenders_Full_TQF_5.jpg

Or this...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Italian_Bicycles/Bianchi_Bicycles/Bianchi_848_Green/Rekord848TFullTQFront.jpg

But if it counts, this too...

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Italian_Bicycles/Torpado_Bicycles/Torpado_Luxe_5SPD_55/Tor5SPD_Marina/Tor5SPD_Marina_Full_TQF_L_1.jpg

The Look "Mondrian" paint scheme is, was, and always will be my favorite paint scheme. I'm also partial to the Holdsworth orange and the Bob Jackson "barber pole."

IMO, the late 1980's Centurion (and Diamondback) smoke and marble paint schemes were among the most attrtactive offerings.

Red
Plain and simple, it is Red.
Although other colors are tied with Red.
Black is good.
So is Blue.

Red
Plain and simple, it is Red.
Although other colors are tied with Red.
Black is good.
So is Blue.

Like this? :)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7187/6879062707_4903d7538f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cv-6enterprises/6879062707/)
72 Lejeune CdM (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cv-6enterprises/6879062707/) by CV6Enterprises (http://www.flickr.com/people/cv-6enterprises/), on Flickr

Just the paint? Or paint and decals? They must compliment and augment each other. I'm also fond of the very unique early '70's Mondia paint jobs. Not all of them. Some are ugly. But it certainly was one of the most original paint schemes of that era. But it looked kind of busy with all the decals in place. I like simplicity. Without these understated and well-designed graphics, this would be just an orange, or lilac, bike. Together with the paint, however, it becomes one of my favorite schemes. Simple, elegant, and not in your face.
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/slipangle99/Vintage%20bike%20love/Moto8.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/slipangle99/Vintage%20bike%20love/Moto7.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/slipangle99/Le%20Champion%2075/LeChamp13.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3108/2799959409_b45b483686_b.jpg

Silver with understated and elegant black, gold and red graphics ftw!

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5322/6906410642_3b9baabf8f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/threefamilyalbum/6906410642/)
Glorious Day For A Ride - 8 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/threefamilyalbum/6906410642/) by Sallad Rialb (http://www.flickr.com/people/threefamilyalbum/), on Flickr

Of course, Kawasaki green and white fade is good too. :P

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8392439807_3c21119f54_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/threefamilyalbum/8392439807/)
Alpine Cycles - Mid- to Late-80's - 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/threefamilyalbum/8392439807/) by Sallad Rialb (http://www.flickr.com/people/threefamilyalbum/), on Flickr

Lots of great ones brought up here. I still remember a Motobecane in the late '70s in kind of a silver blue as well, but the mid '70s Raleigh Pros were always one of my favorite, such as the one in this borrowed pic:

http://cdn.velospace.org/files/78RaleighPro_001.jpg

I like the panels on the DT and/or ST. I just do.
It's like "look here for what you want to know."

Besides Ironman schemes, of course.

Just the paint? Or paint and decals? They must compliment and augment each other. I'm also fond of the very unique early '70's Mondia paint jobs. Not all of them. Some are ugly. But it certainly was one of the most original paint schemes of that era. But it looked kind of busy with all the decals in place. I like simplicity. Without these understated and well-designed graphics, this would be just an orange, or lilac, bike. Together with the paint, however, it becomes one of my favorite schemes. Simple, elegant, and not in your face.
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee430/slipangle99/Vintage%20bike%20love/Moto8.jpg



Yes, Motobecane has a nice low key script, and their paint seemed pretty good quality for a production bike.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/IMG_6871.jpg

I really like the Looks with white-yellow-blue- red. Motorola was a great scheme and older cinellis have great decal/paint combos. The team Raleigh colors are beautiful.

Oddly enough most of my bikes are a solid color despite the bulk of them being late '80s machines. I do think there are too many paint schemes to pic an actual favorite. The three color fades were great (although not all combos worked) the contast ST+HT is nice, the stays and forks a different color from the main triangle, and I would love to add an onion bag to my family. Here are my only multicolored bikes.

The 3 color. Decals changed from OEM style/color
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=294592&d=1358709595

Two color fade with chrome
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=294591&d=1358709590

Two Tone solid
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=294582&d=1358706150

These past through my hands over the years.


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Like this? :)
Nice Lejeune. I don't see much black on it but yeah it'll do nicely. :thumb:

vette-f-2k, your Fuji America (and every other FA I've ever seen) really does stand out as exceptional. :thumb:

I had a Merckx w/ a paint scheme that was one of my faves in the EM line. I forget the Team name is was (?), but I was sold on it the minute I saw it. Unfortuneately, I didn't like the 'Century Geometry', so I sold it after a year or so....

not actually mine but the paint scheme was the same:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Rnbguitars/EddyMerckx86_zps53107b6c.jpg

This:

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/85%20Red%20Merckx%20Birthday%20Bike/85RedMerckrightsidedoorlarge.jpg

But this runs a close second:

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/87%20Schwinn%20Tempo%209%20speed/New87Temporightsidedoor.jpg

And this one, well:

http://i797.photobucket.com/albums/yy254/rccardr/85%20Centurion%20Iron%20Man%2057%205/85CenturionIronmasterrightside.jpg

I've always loved the classic Legnano colour-scheme:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4244311492_e12a1889e3.jpg

#1 is celeste (Bianchi, of course). But, since I don't have one a metallic blue/yellow scheme is what I'm drawn to most these days.

Bianchigirll has about the nicest Bianchi paint scheme I've seen in a while, although it's not all Celeste. I believe it's for sale...

I've always loved the classic Legnano colour-scheme:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4244311492_e12a1889e3.jpg

Frejus, too!

Thought about this for a while today.

I have lots of favorites, but here is one I could live with for the long haul.

Forum member Gary Fountain's Colnago.

It just nails me every time.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x300/garyf5354/Colnago%20Conic%20SLX%20with%20Campy%2050th/DSC02474.jpg

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/701827-Show-us-your-I-talians!/page6?highlight=gary+fountain

No paint thread can be complete without a Saronni red Colnago!
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d105/Kactus1/IMG_0413_zpsfc688291.jpg

Well, I'll be the first. Peugeot Rainbow and checkers. I love it! Especially on black!

I would like to say this bike looks WAY better now. White Supercorsa saddle, white vinyl Bike ribbon wrap, red/white look pedals, and Suntour Cyclone M-II FD/RD. It also has cartridge bearing hubs on dark anodized wheels with Michelin red/skin wall Erilium tires. Also has transplanted drillium ringed Sugino cranks. It weighs in at 23.09, not too shabby for a lowly PH10:D. It deserves new pics!

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n267/Kustombyker/Peugeotmod.jpg

When I used to wear my FAEMA wool jersey in public, several people asked me if I worked for the federal agency handling, or not handling, the Katrina disaster at that time.

Awesome! :lol:


Oddly enough most of my bikes are a solid color despite the bulk of them being late '80s machines. I do think there are too many paint schemes to pic an actual favorite. The three color fades were great (although not all combos worked) the contast ST+HT is nice, the stays and forks a different color from the main triangle, and I would love to add an onion bag to my family. Here are my only multicolored bikes.


Wow- that's really beautiful. + 1 more for Italian designers.

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IMO, the late 1980's Centurion (and Diamondback) smoke and marble paint schemes were among the most attrtactive offerings.
This. I think my grail bike might be an '89 Ironman Master.

Vintage carbon would make me nervous, but Look had some really cool paint jobs. Maybe I'll have to track down a Look Equipe, Gaucho777's is beautiful:
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab69/gaucho510/LOOK%20Equipe%20Bernard%20Hinault%20Reynolds%20753/IMG_1811.jpg

My Flying Dutchman paint scheme has grown on me. 294744294745

This. I think my grail bike might be an '89 Ironman Master.

Vintage carbon would make me nervous, but Look had some really cool paint jobs. Maybe I'll have to track down a Look Equipe, Gaucho777's is beautiful:
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab69/gaucho510/LOOK%20Equipe%20Bernard%20Hinault%20Reynolds%20753/IMG_1811.jpg
My Look! One of my favorites!
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I had a Merckx w/ a paint scheme that was one of my faves in the EM line. I forget the Team name is was (?), but I was sold on it the minute I saw it. Unfortuneately, I didn't like the 'Century Geometry', so I sold it after a year or so....

not actually mine but the paint scheme was the same:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v420/Rnbguitars/EddyMerckx86_zps53107b6c.jpg

That is Team Hitachi

Yeah, the Mondriaan LOOK or the Saronni Colnago. Oh, and Motobecane paint quality? There are some pretty bad examples out there, like mine... all kinds of blemishes, clots, oversprays, you name it, it's there. Plus they really got off the track after the period in which they had some awesome - see rootboy's example above - paint schemes.

Bianchigirll has about the nicest Bianchi paint scheme I've seen in a while, although it's not all Celeste. I believe it's for sale...

Thank You again and thanks for the plug.


Wow- that's really beautiful. + 1 more for Italian designers.


Which one?

Just the paint? Or paint and decals? They must compliment and augment each other.




http://mombat.org/GDeadSide.JPG




http://mombat.org/GDeadTT2.JPG




http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab358/Everest30/DSC00468.jpg

I think Gazelle had contrasting panels down to an art.
Mine:
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4035/4522078786_7029daa1c1_b.jpg
Some others:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3451/3377135218_7c27b840d3.jpg
http://cyclepista.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/gazelle-thumb-500x333-16945.jpg

Maybe I'm biased.

My God, I can't believe all you weenies missed the mark.

http://www.raydobbins.com/molteni_replica/photo1.jpg

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