1981 BMW-Motorcycles Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1981 BMW-Motorcycles Vibe

Welcome to 1981-the year the R100CS was tearing up the tarmac and the air-cooled Boxer was the undisputed king of the autobahn. Back then, BMW wasn't just building bikes; they were building legends in "All Models" that looked as fast as they felt. While the world was busy with neon and synth-pop, BMW stayed classier. In our database, we've tracked the survivors, and the standout for this year is that iconic, deep Blue. Whether it was the Ocean Blue or the Motorsport-inspired Hellblau, these bikes didn't just have paint; they had a presence that made every other bike in the parking lot look like a toy.

Paint Health Check

Now, listen close, because 1981 falls squarely in the Single Stage Era. This was the time of thick, solvent-heavy pigments that were sprayed on with intent. The good news? That Blue has enough depth to look like you could dive into it. The bad news? It's a living, breathing thing that hates the sun. If your vintage Beemer has been sitting out, you're likely looking at "The Chalk." Oxidation is the silent killer of the '81 palette. Without a clear coat to hide behind, that rich blue pigment reacts with the air and turns into a dull, chalky mess that feels more like a chalkboard than a premium German machine.

Restoration Tip

If your tank is looking more "dusty" than "glossy," don't panic-just get to work. Single stage paint is incredibly forgiving if you have the patience to buff it. Use a high-quality compound to strip away that oxidized top layer and reveal the vibrant blue hiding underneath. But here is the golden rule for 1981 iron: It needs wax or it dies. Once you've polished it back to a mirror finish, you've got to seal it. These old-school solvent finishes rely on you to provide the UV protection they never got from the factory. Treat it like a classic-buff it, seal it, and keep it out of the midday sun if you want that blue to keep singing.