1980 Honda-Motorcycle Touch Up Paint (2 OEM Colors)

The 1980 Honda-Motorcycle Vibe

Welcome to 1980, the year Honda decided to stop playing nice and started building legends like the CB750F and the first of the massive GL1100 Goldwings. It was a time of "Universal Japanese Motorcycles"-bikes that could do everything from a cross-country tour to a Friday night stoplight drag. While the rest of the world was getting distracted by neon spandex and synthesizers, Honda kept it grounded. Our records show the survivors are often sporting that timeless, deep Black. Back then, we didn't need a rainbow to make a statement; a blacked-out tank against a wall of chrome told the world exactly who was in charge of the fast lane.

Paint Health Check

If you're looking at an original 1980 finish, you're staring at the Single Stage Era. This isn't like the plastic-wrapped bikes of today; this is honest-to-god acrylic enamel. The good news? It's thick. The bad news? It's "alive." Because there's no clear coat standing guard on top, the sun is your absolute worst enemy. If your Honda has been sitting in a carport since the Reagan administration, that deep black has likely turned into a dull, chalky grey. That's oxidation-the paint is literally drying out and turning to dust. It doesn't peel or flake off like a cheap sunburn; it just fades away until it looks like an old chalkboard.

Restoration Tip

Here's the secret from the back of the shop: Single-stage paint is incredibly forgiving if there's still "meat on the bone." Since the color goes all the way through, you can actually buff away that chalky oxidation to reveal the fresh, oily black underneath. Use a medium-cut compound with a steady hand, but don't get cocky-once you hit the primer, the party's over. Most importantly: this paint needs wax or it dies. Without a clear coat for protection, a high-quality carnauba wax is the only thing standing between your restoration and a return to that "ashy" look. Treat it like leather; keep it fed, keep it sealed, and it'll outlast the engine.