Paint scheme opinions

[great white]

Paint choice doesn't seem to fit under a forum heading, so general discussion seemed the best place to park the question. I have asked this question before (last year I think), but now I have cash in the bank and am getting ready to have it done professionally.

My 89 FJ has passed through several "uncaring" hands. Its currently all refrigerator white and drilled/cracked panels:





When i got to it, it had spent 2 years in a shed by the water and the black lettering had been removed. You might think that was an improvement, but it messed up the paint that was there when they removed it. That rack is bolted right down through the tail piece with 3 big bolts. 3 big holes and a huge crack.

But, under all the crud and neglect that basic FJ goodness was still there and I decided to save it. That it was only 850 bucks didn't hurt it's chances of coming home with me either. Final push was when the seller mentioned a friend of his was thinking about building a legends type car and was sniffing around about the old FJ. It had survived this long (and, being an old and broken soldier myself) I had to save a fellow old and broken down soldier.

Panels I'm addressing with replacements (good used) and paint will be redone locally.

But I'm back and forth on color. On one hand I want to take it back to the factory silver and white:



That's actually same bike, posted by a previous owner from many years ago before it fell on hard times. I first though it was the same bike as they both wore the same wrong mufflers with a pipe of exhaust pipe joining them to the collector and both bike came from Quebec. Final confirmation was finding the same dents and marks in pictures both new (IE: white) and old. How far the mighty had fallen.....

But I also started my lust after an FJ1100 when I was in high school (1984, first year) and couldn't afford one:



It was the silver and red one I first laid eyes on in a mag and it's the silver and red I've been fixated on since then. Bucket list item for me, although any FJ would cover that base.

So I grabbed a pic off the net and did a quick and dirty photochop:



Not bad, but I just dunno. Probably should have made the wheels black in the chop too.

So, while I mull it over.......anyone have an option on which way they would go?

[TexasDave]

I own a 84 silver and red and like those colors. But if I had the money I would also like a white and silver. I think both color schemes are the best colors for the FJ. If it was me I would go with the original paint scheme. Just my opinion.

Dave

[FJmonkey]

I really like the '84 red and silver. I also like the European red/white/blue as it is both rare and still has the early look of the FJ colors. The Photoshop of the red/silver '87 (flip) style is also unique. Derick turned his '91 into an ambulance and quite well in my opinion. Just don't go with pastel colors like the one I saw years ago near my house. I still have not seen it again. If I do I will hunt him down and get him to join the FJ campfire.

[fj1289]

I like the red over silver photo chop.  Also like the white and silver factory scheme. 

[fjbiker84]

I've always thought that the 84 red/silver was the best looking color scheme .... but maybe my opinion isn't entirely free of prejudice.  My second favorite is the white/silver.  Mark and I were just talking about this over the weekend.

[great white]

Arrgghhh!

I just can't decide:

[FJmonkey]

Take the Reds man! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY8IQnHFKTA

[Pat Conlon]

I think Yamaha nailed it with the first edition Stormy Red and Quartz Silver '84 combo.
If you go that route, I would not put on any black lettering on the red. If you notice on the '84's tank, the black Yamaha letters are on the sliver paint and the Stormy Red side covers have the FJ1100 in silver, not black.
Finally, no reason to have a big ass FJ (in black) on the red fairing.

That said, I do like other color combos, the white/silver of the '89 and the blue/silver of the '92/93 and the blue/white of the '91, pink stripe and all.

The key is breaking up the bike with a 2 color combo and avoid black letters on the dark color.

Just my opinion, hope this helps.  Pat

[great white]

Keep in mind theses are all just quick and dirty photochops:



That's with the decals moved as per pat's suggestion...

[ribbert]

The colour scheme is entirely a matter of personal choice. I like the bolder colours and favour the red/silver/black myself. I do have a preference for how the later models deal with the stripe and colour separation at the back of the tank though, the line continues around the tank instead of flowing down to the seat.

Regardless of colour combo, one thing Yamaha absolutely nailed was the pattern. Not having a full fairing limits the options and I don't recall ever seeing a deviation from this that has worked. I have seen a few single coloured ones that look good with the right graphics though.

IMO

Noel

[Pat Conlon]

I really, really like this blue grey/white combo on the 1990 FJ1200



Throw away those orange turn signal lenses on the fairing and put some clear ones on with the silver LED bulbs.

I think that is my favorite right there.... Put that color combo on the '91-93 rubber mounted FJ = tits!

[Derek Young]

Red and white!

[great white]

I really, really like this blue grey/white combo on the 1990 FJ1200



Throw away those orange turn signal lenses on the fairing and put some clear ones on with the silver LED bulbs.

I think that is my favorite right there.... Put that color combo on the '91-93 rubber mounted FJ = tits!

Nah, doesn't float my boat. A bit too....ummm, I dunno......"blah" to my eye.

I had been toying with the White and blue scheme, but a red stripe instead of pink. I had a photochop around here somewhere and the red stripe makes it pop. Pink is just.....meh. No offense intended to anyone who likes the pink, it's just not for me.

Red and white!

Nice, but not for this one.


White and silver or red and silver, those are my choices.

[FJ1100mjk]

Red and white!

Red and white. True race colors.

[aviationfred]

Keep in mind theses are all just quick and dirty photochops:



That's with the decals moved as per pat's suggestion...

I have a '90 model that I have contemplated repainting. If you don't do this pattern, I just might have too. I think it looks incredible.


My '90