I just bought a 1989 bike and still can’t figure out what they were thinking with the color scheme. In 1989, I was still in the rather insolated military. As I recall, I don’t remember the military changing to any new vibrant colors on their gear. However, it seems that many bikes of this era where painted very flamboyant colors. I’ve seen them on this forum; Day-Glo pinks, purples and oranges. Was there something going on in the country that I missed? It seems like there was a big party going on and I didn’t get an invite.

There's some pretty outlandish color schemes out there. I have a few old cycling magazines from the late '70s to mid '80s, so I can see that the outfits were pretty wacky too.

They did the same with motorcycles with fairing colors that had purples, pinks, and dayglo orange and yellows and all sorts of pastels very common.. So glad when that color crazy fad finally went away!
I think we can blame the show Miami Vice for those color pallletes

Chombi

You did not miss anything, tis all quite embaressing to think about now (the colours and chlotes that is).

It was bad everywhere.
I was running for Asics and they brought out a new line of gear, in pink, royal blue, and white.
I gave it all to my wife. Last thing I needed was to be running in the winter with pink and blue tights on NC country roads....

Other than Fuji's facination with off or near pink, I like most of the color schemes that I saw. I still like the Cannondale fade schemes and I think the 1988 Nishiki Modulus tri-color fade scheme is classic. I guess I'm still in the 80's.
It could be worse, I could be stuck in the 60's with those psycodelic colors.

I remember seeing quite a few neon colors on sunglasses and windshield wipers in those days. I was doing quite a bit of surfing in NH and Maine at the time and most the younger guys were wearing Body Glove wetsuits with similar colors. A couple of years ago, a co-worker found out that I surfed, and insisted that I take a wetsuit that he bought but didn't use - day-glow pink and green!

I don't recall seeing the trend on bikes, and the 88 Cannondale that I bought new was all black.

Yep. Crocket and Tubbs

I like all those colors, obviously. ...although as much for having something nobody else does as the colors themselves. That pink and yellow Centurion Ironman is one of the cooler.

Let's not forget punk rock and new wave.

Think about Cyndi Lauper's and Johnny Rotten's hairdos!

Pink, green, and flaming "anything" dayglo hair was de rigueur in the night clubs.

Neon was popular in 1989 and the first two weeks of 1990.

I think Trek had roadbikes with neon lugs/headtube and I think carbon tubes.

Barf

I think there is thread started about paint fades here, word of warning may contain very graphic content.

^ Ugh! Damn, I had the same outfit "Crockett" is wearing (minus the holster) back in '87. Even a pair of Ray Ban Aviators in gold. What was I thinking?!?



IMO, I think it started earlier with aerobics being popularized in L.A., remember the silly music videos (ie. E.N.J.'s Physical)? Miami Vice was the zenith and it poisoned the minds of a generation.

I'm possibly being nostalgic, but I still prefer some of the bikes with the wild paint schemes (Centurions) over today's graffiti graphics on them Carbon Fiber road bikes. Downright fugly!

I think the 1984 L.A. Olympics started the color trend. It looked very different from the usual earth tones that were popular then.

But this is the only page that I could find via google.

man, that is a hot pic!

here's a centurion you're referring to:

Step #1: Take one look at any 1980's TV show gym.
Step #2: Scream and run.

-Kurt

I think you may be onto something there, at least for the Miyata's. This 89' is littered with confetti.

Hey! Is that RobbieTunes with the lei?

Wanted to give RobbieT one more shot at this. I'm sure he has at least one of these bikes.

I'm still partying like it's nine-teen eigh-ty-eight!!

That's it, your disqualified from entering the BF photo contest.

The early 90's were no picnic either, hehe. I give you...The Diamondback Master TG!! In it's defense, this is one nice bike once you get on it, lugs or no lugs!!,,,,BD

My '87 Centurion is a subdued light blue metallic and silver. Not very Crockett and Tubbslike. I used to have some of those white pants, though.

And who could forget the PINK Schwinn Prelude! At least the graphics were subdued, hehe.,,,,BD



Or this beauty!! Still debating on saving this one, or getting rid of it in my exodus of one.