1970 thunderbolt colour

[thunderboltandlightfoot]

Hi All I am looking for the correct colour for a 1970 thunderbolt in blue it is a metalic blue any help appreciated thanks

[Ian C]

AFAIK, the 1970 model year UK and US T'Bolt colour was Moonscape Grey. The Royal Star was Flamboyant Aircraft Blue along with the Lightning being Flamboyant Red for UK and Flamboyant Aircraft Blue for US market. HTH

[Spaceman]

The RS Paint web site gives the 1970 A65T as either Flamboyant Red Candy or Flamboyant Aircraft Blue (Candy). These candy paints are applied with a metallic silver or gold undercoat with either the red or blue lacquer applied on top followed by a clear coat.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

RS Paint does not have the info. for Moonscape Grey and I think it was quite limited in its use.  The '69 that I was in Moonscape Grey and now in as close as PO could find.

Dave.

[Spaceman]

The 1970 parts book does list Grey /274 as one of the A65 colours - presumably this was referred to as Moonscape Grey?

[Ian C]

When researching colours, it should be expected that BSA may have used colours other than catalogued, but I believe a colour choice for a bike is up to the owner.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

It is always the owners choice hence the myriad of interesting bikes out there.
The listing in the parts book just refers to Grey so where does the 'Moonscape Grey' come from?  It is my understanding that it was to commemorate the Moon landing in 1969 so was it a variation of the standard Grey and of a limited edition so not featured in the parts book.  The one I have was purchased new by the previous owner from Horseman's of Liverpool on the 29th Dec. 1969.  Apparently there was only one other in the showroom.  As this was late in 1969 it was probably a 1970 model but the question is how many were finished on Moonscape Grey during the '69/70' registration season?

Dave.

[Ian C]

Moonscape Grey is referenced in the 1970 black and white BSA catalogue Dave. In the colour catalogues for that year, you just see a picture of the bike in its respective colour, with no mention I can see of colour name.. HTH

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for the info.  I think I may have one of those somewhere so I must dig it out.  It would be interesting to know many were produced as the colour does seem to be a bit of a rarity.  I think I have only seen about 3 or 4 in grey but not sure which shade was the original.
I believe that Polly Palmer had a colour match form the original Moonscape Grey but is longer the 'paints and finishes' expert for the Club.  I did ask him once about this colour but it did not bear any fruit.

Dave.

[Mike Farmer]

 

This should be. but its blue.

This s coming out all wrong

So Ill look into it tomo.

Mike

[Ian C]

When researching colours, it should be expected that BSA may have used colours other than catalogued, but I believe a colour choice for a bike is up to the owner.

As I've already stated Mike.  I wouldn't take BSA or any other means of determining colour for year as gospel. TBH, I always paint my bikes in whatever colour I think suits them, and if I owned a 1970 T'Bolt myself, would consider the Moonscape Grey.