A65 Paint,colours ,codes.

[Hannah]

Hello, I am in the process of restoring a 1966 West Coast Hornet,does anyone know what red it should be painted and a paint code.Many thanks Gordon.

[RESTORER]

This is what I can find and may assist you once other members have contributed. The colour may well depend on when your bike was manufactured (rather than registered). The BSA colour codes show at least 3 reds attributed to 1966: Peony BSA code 226, Grenadier 239, Firecracker 246 and there are many others, including Flamboyant Red 170 and Mandarin Red 201 from earlier years. However, Bacon shows a Spitfire Hornet first marketed in 1964 (A65SH?) for the USA market and finished in Flamboyant Red 170, but this model ended in 1965 to be followed with the A65H in 1966 and this was finished in Mandarin Red 201.  This model, which lasted for two years, sounds like yours but a search on engine and frame numbers via the club should assist. I think that models made towards the end of one year came out in the next. Hope this helps.

[Allan G]

I don't know at what point but Hornets had E for their engine stamping, much like Lightning's were D

[JulianS]

Cannot give you current paint codes but a lot of people use RS bike paint;

http://www.rsbikepaint.com/

The 1966 BSA USA catalogue gives the Hornet colour as Mandarin Red.

1966 season models would have engine number commencing A65H and frame number commencing either A50C for early season or A65H for later in the season.

[Hannah]

My engine number is A65H 3310 frame number A50C1743 from Blocksburg California got American tittle doc.I also would like to know diameter and thread on primary chain case.Many thanks to all for info.

[Talisker]

Dont know if this is of any help. I have a 67 Firebird and its Mandarin Red which I got a 440ml aerosol from Motornuts about £18 from memory.
Regards Jim

[Hannah]

Cheers Jim