1997 Suzuki-Motorcycle Touch Up Paint (3 OEM Colors)

The 1997 Suzuki-Motorcycle Vibe

1997 was a year of speed and "Techno-Industrial" attitude. On the street, the GSX-R750 "SRAD" was busy redefining the superbike, while the Katana and Bandit were carving out their own legends. Suzuki's aesthetic that year was all about looking like a high-speed projectile forged in a dark laboratory. We've focused on the survivors of this era, the colors that defined the late-90s street scene: Oort Grey Metallic, Shadow Black, and the ubiquitous Sonic Silver. These weren't just colors; they were a statement that the new millennium was coming, and it was going to be metallic.

Paint Health Check

Welcome to the heart of the Peeling Era. By 1997, Suzuki had fully embraced the basecoat/clearcoat system to give those metallics their deep, liquid-metal shine. But here's the rub: 90s clear coats were often the "Achilles' heel" of the machine. After nearly three decades of sun and fuel spills, these bikes are prime candidates for delamination. If you look closely at the edges of your tank or near the fairing bolts and see what looks like a thin layer of plastic wrap lifting off, that's your clear coat surrendering. Once the clear lifts, the pigment underneath is defenseless against the elements.

Restoration Tip

In this era, speed is your friend-and I'm not talking about the bike. You have to seal chips and scratches immediately. Because 1997 paint relies on that top clear layer for its structural integrity, a single deep rock chip can act as a "beachhead" for moisture. Once water gets under that clear coat, it will start to tunnel, lifting the finish in giant flakes. If you're touching up a spot of Oort Grey or Sonic Silver, don't just dab the color and walk away. Level it, let it gas out, and ensure it's sealed tight before the "clear lift" turns your restoration project into a full strip-and-spray.