1989 BMW-Motorcycles Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 1989 BMW-Motorcycles Vibe

1989 was a year of transition. While the Berlin Wall was coming down, BMW was busy building walls of fairings on the K1 and the legendary R100GS. It was the era of "sophisticated speed," where German engineering met the high-gloss aesthetic of the late eighties. In our database, we've narrowed our focus to the survivors of this era-specifically the deep, metallic soul of Bermuda Blue and the classic, foundational Blue. These weren't just colors; they were a statement that you preferred an Autobahn-bred touring machine over a neon-clad sportbike. 1989 was about depth, mica-infusions, and a finish that looked like it was still wet even when it was parked in the sun.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to The Peeling Era. By 1989, the industry had moved away from the old "heavy-metal" single-stage paints that just got chalky and dull. Instead, your BMW is wearing a basecoat/clearcoat system. It looks brilliant when it's healthy, BUT it has a fatal flaw: Delamination. Over thirty years later, the bond between that beautiful Bermuda Blue metallic and the protective clear layer is probably getting tired. If you see a spot that looks like a literal piece of Scotch tape peeling off your tank, that's the clear coat throwing in the towel. Once the air gets under there, the UV rays will eat your base color for lunch in six months flat.

Restoration Tip

The golden rule for 1989 paint is simple: Seal every chip immediately. On these older clear-over-base systems, a rock chip isn't just an eyesore; it's an entry point for moisture and air to begin lifting the clear coat from the edges. If you spot a nick on the fairing or the tank, don't wait for a weekend that never comes. Clean it out and dab it with a matched touch-up and a fresh dab of clear. You aren't just fixing a spot; you're anchoring the rest of the clear coat to the bike so it doesn't start "traveling" across the panel.