1982 Suzuki-Motorcycle Touch Up Paint (3 OEM Colors)

The 1982 Suzuki-Motorcycle Vibe

1982 was the year Suzuki decided the future should look like a silver dagger. While the rest of the world was still hungover from the seventies, the GSX1100S Katana arrived with sharp lines and a "Blade Runner" aesthetic that made everything else on the road look like a tractor. We've focused our database on the true survivors of this high-tech transition, specifically the metallic heavy-hitters like Sonic Silver and Oort Grey Metallic. Back then, it wasn't about flashy rainbows; it was about looking like a high-speed interceptor. If you weren't rocking Shadow Black, you weren't trying.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the peak of the Single Stage Era. In 1982, your Suzuki left the factory with the color and the protection mixed into one glorious, solvent-heavy layer. The good news? That paint is thick and has a soul. The bad news? It's a sitting duck for "The Chalky Death." Without a modern clear coat to hide behind, these pigments-especially the silvers-are prone to heavy oxidation. If your tank looks more like a chalkboard than a mirror, that's the binder breaking down and waving the white flag. These finishes are bulletproof in terms of adhesion, but they are chemically "open" to the elements.

Restoration Tip

In this era, wax isn't just a suggestion; it's a religious obligation. If you're doing a touch-up, you cannot just slap paint over 40-year-old "chalk." Use a light rubbing compound to buff away the oxidized upper layer until the true color returns, then clean it thoroughly with a solvent-based prep to ensure a bond. Once your repair is cured, seal the entire piece in a high-grade carnauba or polymer sealant. Remember: for 1982 paint, it needs a coat of protection or it dies. Keep it fed, or watch it fade.