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pcodes.htm-70

 NOTE:  The above sentences have caused a lot of confusion.   BMW uses a paint "code" number, usually found on a label under the seat, that refers to an over-all paint job..... this is a FINISH code, in every sense of the literal meaning.  This means is that while you might be able to compare these codes to some colors in some literature, you might get VERY confused.  Glasurit, and others, have the rest of the information....they know what that code means.    This is particularly troublesome with the pinstriping and the smoked colors, and the orange R90S paint job, ETC.     There may be several color coats used, and a finishing top clear coat, one or more colors or types of pinstriping, etc....it all depends on the model.   For instance, you might have a bike whose underseat label says 572.   That is a color, magenta red, and you CAN get paint in that color....but you also need a clear coat, and may well find little if anything about the gold pinstriping used most often with that paint code.    Besides THAT, some pinstriping is double, some single. There is also nothing to tell you just how many layers or dusting coatings of that paint to use to get the appropriate depth of color...too much may be darker than originally intended.    This is just one area where a highly experienced professional painter REALLY earns their money.   In some instances there is a BASE color coat, which then has an over-coat to get some desired effect...or more than one....and then perhaps a clear coat.   SOME paints are NOT clear coated.  When investigating a paint code you need to contact the paint manufacturer, try Glasurit for the information, although some of this IS found in BMW literature/parts lists.     NOTE that not only is this all somewhat confusing, but you may find in some instances that the colors and coatings, etc., are all the same, but a different number signifies perhaps a different PATTERN to a pinstripe.   What I have TRIED to do here is to give you what information I could, to help you...and to also give some hints...and to refer you to some other websites (which MAY not be accurate!).
In many instances, a finish code can be decoded, to incorporate the numbers of the other paints/finishes used...and I have tried to give these in the chart below.

NOTE 1:  When using the parts lists,  note that different colors of pinstriping were available.  BMW uses the term 'ruling'.   There are a number of 'ruling' and pinstriping colors available.   Some of these are:
101, Weiss
104, Gold
105, Blau
107, Feurrot
108, Minzgrün
110, Dunklebraun
111, Oliv
112, Orange
113, Red
114, Hellblau
115,
116, Grün
125, Mittelrot
113, 114, 115, used with "MotorSport"

Additional information is in SNABB Katalog, section 51, page 72 and on.


NOTE  2:  The BMW frames before 1981 used a gloss black paint, Schwartz, code 086.   From 1981, the frame was a semi-matte black, 121 Schwartzmatt, and the BMW part number for this in a spray can is 51-91-1-453-483.      To touch-up the Avus black on a frame, see #51-91-0-302-284, a touch up 'stick'.

NOTE 3:   I can supply the paint code, part number, and color description name, for the BMW cars, to 2001.  NOTE that there are several sources for paint codes, especially for BMW cars, and here is an interesting one:  http://www.bmwcsregistry.org/coupe_information/e9paint.html
BMW used a descriptive 00 for color for right hand drive cars, single 0 for left hand.

NOTE 4:   For a vastly more complete list of Paint Codes, including color scheme codes, see Phil Hawksley's website.  There may well be errors on that website, as it is Wiki-ish, I believe, in some content!:
                 http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/colourchemes.htm


NOTE 5:   see for further information on matching colors and numbers:   
                 http://www.glasurit.com/
    In order to use that URL,  select "BMW";  on the next page enter your color sticker number. The next page will have the trim code.      Use the first color number listed and enter it back into the previous page and it will give you the color name.
    NOTE!!...  I have NOT YET compared everything in my chart, below, with the glasurit website above.

NOTE 6:   Snowflake wheel 'silver' is 51-91-1-240-868 in spray cans and 51-91-240-867 in 1/4 litres.  

NOTE 7 :  The first number in a code is the paint, the second number is the finish code

NOTE 8:   My chart is essentially for USA shipped bikes, but incorporates a bit more.

NOTE 9:  Many paints previously available from BMW are no longer available; BUT...in many instances, while NOT available from a California dealership; they ARE available from other States' dealerships. 

Note 10:  In 1977 ONLY the R100S had a red metallic paint, but I haven't the reference numbers, except as noted in my chart.

Note 11:  In 1983-1984, the front fender of the R80RT had ONE pinstripe; the R100RT had dual stripes. This sort of thing is NOT uncommon!

Note 12:  Every model that used a particular Paint Code MIGHT NOT be listed under Models.

Note 13:  The 'black' BMW luggage can be sanded and painted.   Good results have been reported by those wanting black, in using common truck bed liner paint, from rattle-cans!