1971 Suzuki-Motorcycle Touch Up Paint (3 OEM Colors)

The 1971 Suzuki-Motorcycle Vibe

1971 was the year Suzuki decided to stop playing nice. While the rest of the world was still humming along on small displacements, Suzuki dropped the GT750 "Water Buffalo" and kept the legendary T500 Titan screaming through the gears. It was a transition era where the paint booth moved away from the "candy-coated" toys of the sixties and into a more industrial, high-performance aesthetic. We've focused our collection on the survivors of this heavyweight era-the essential tones that defined the tarmac, like Sonic Silver, Shadow Black, and the sophisticated Oort Grey Metallic. These weren't just colors; they were a statement that Suzuki was ready to lead the pack in the superbike wars.

Paint Health Check

Listen close, because 1971 falls squarely into the Single Stage Era. Back then, we didn't have the luxury of a clear coat to hide behind. What you see is what you get: a single, thick layer of pigment and resin sprayed straight onto the steel. The legend of these bikes is bulletproof, but the paint? It's a different story. If your tank hasn't been touched since the Nixon administration, you're likely looking at "Oxidation"-that chalky, dull fade that happens when the sun eats the binder right out of the pigment. Without a top layer of protection, these single-stage finishes are essentially "breathing," and if they aren't cared for, they turn into a dry, dusty mess that loses its depth faster than a two-stroke loses oil.

Restoration Tip

If you're touching up a survivor or doing a full respray, remember the Golden Rule of the seventies: It needs wax or it dies. Because there's no clear coat to act as a sacrificial barrier, your maintenance routine is the only thing standing between that Oort Grey Metallic and total "chalk-out." After you apply your color, give it a proper cure time, then seal it with a high-quality carnauba or polymer sealant. If you're working with original paint that's looking a bit tired, don't just start sanding. Try a non-abrasive polish first to "feed" the paint and see if the oils can bring that Sonic Silver back to life. Treat it like living skin, not plastic, and it'll keep turning heads at the local bike meet.