1979 Harley-Davidson Touch Up Paint (1 OEM Colors)

The 1979 Harley-Davidson Vibe

Welcome to the tail end of the AMF era, where the Shovelheads were loud, the vibrations were "character-building," and the paint had more soul than a Motown record. In 1979, Harley wasn't just building bikes; they were building icons like the Fat Bob and the Low Rider. While some folks spent the year grumbling about quality control, we've focused on the survivors-the colors that actually stayed on the metal. Take Sparkling Turquoise Tricoat, for example. It's a classic late-70s showstopper that used a layered depth to catch the light, proving that even in the toughest years, Milwaukee knew how to make a tank look like a piece of jewelry.

Paint Health Check

Since we're firmly in the Single Stage Era, your biggest enemy isn't peeling or flaking-it's the "chalky death" of oxidation. Back then, paint was heavy on the solvents and light on UV resistance. Over forty-plus years, the sun has likely been chewing on those resins, leaving the surface looking dull, faded, and dry to the touch. If your Turquoise looks more like a dusty chalkboard than a sparkling gem, that's the pigment crying out for help. This paint is rugged, but it's porous; it breathes, and if it isn't sealed, it dries out until it practically turns to powder.

Restoration Tip

Before you even think about touching up a chip, you've got to address the haze. You can't put fresh paint over oxidation and expect it to stick-it's like trying to tape two pieces of bread together. Use a light rubbing compound to "level" the surface and bring back the original color hidden underneath the chalk. Once you've performed your repair, remember the golden rule for 1979 iron: It needs wax or it dies. Without a heavy carnauba barrier to seal those pores, the environment will go right back to work on your finish. Keep it greasy, keep it sealed, and that Turquoise will keep turning heads at the swap meet.