85 LeMans IV original paint question

[bigbikerrick]

Hello Folks. I am trying to figgure out if the paint on the fuel tank of my red LeMans is original,or it has been re painted. I noticed the red on the rest of the bodywork has no clear coat, its a single stage paint, with the decals on top of the red. The fuel tank has a clear coat over the eagle decals, and the paint,but only the fuel tank.
  Is this the way Guzzi did it back in 85 to protect the paint from gas spills? If its original, I plan to leave it alone, but if its been re done, since it has a couple of small imperfections,I would like to re paint it to make it as close to perfect as possible.
Thanks,
Rick.

[SED]

My '83 LMIII tank and Monza tanks are like that.  Clear over the tank decals. 

[bigbikerrick]

Thanks Sed, Wow, thats interesting! Is there any clear over the decals on the tail section, and front fairing?  (If your bikes have such decals) mine has an eagle on the front and Moto Guzzi across the back tail section, which dont seem to have clear over them.
Rick.

[rschrum]

Clear over decals on tank only on mine.

[wirespokes]

Mine's white and done the same way. Not only that, but the tank is a different white than the rest of the bodywork.

1987 must have been some hard times - one of the eagles faces backwards. Evidently the factory couldn't afford two different sets of decals.

[SED]

Thanks Sed, Wow, thats interesting! Is there any clear over the decals on the tail section, and front fairing?  (If your bikes have such decals) mine has an eagle on the front and Moto Guzzi across the back tail section, which dont seem to have clear over them.
Rick.

The LMIII has very thin clear over the fairing and tail section - it's peeling - but the Monza has no clear on the fairing or tail section.  I've corresponded with the original owner of the LM and the bodywork is how he bought it.  I'm certain the Monza paint is original too, but maybe different bikes - a previous owner said it had been used on the track and crashed behind Mt. St. Helens.

[flower_king001]

Hi,

 My 86 IV is original paint and has clear over decals on tank only.

 

[rocker59]

1987 must have been some hard times - one of the eagles faces backwards. Evidently the factory couldn't afford two different sets of decals.

All the bikes From LMIII to Sport 1100 used only one eagle.  Facing right as you're looking at it.

That means that all the bikes' left fuel tank eagle faces the rear.

If you find a bike between 1982 and 1996 with a forward-facing eagle on the left side of the tank, it's a repaint.

[bigbikerrick]

Thanks guys for all the great information! I had no idea about the left eagle facing the rear, I will have to re  check mine, but I think they both face forwards...
Flower King, That white Lemans looks stunning! Perfect  sport tourer setup.
Rick.

[Groover]

Mine's white and done the same way. Not only that, but the tank is a different white than the rest of the bodywork.

1987 must have been some hard times - one of the eagles faces backwards. Evidently the factory couldn't afford two different sets of decals.

Ha, I've never noticed that and I have two on these...  My attention to detail is slacking!

Makes them more Special.. Eagles (SE)  - good catch!




chemical formula for aluminium sulfide

[wirespokes]

If you find a bike between 1982 and 1996 with a forward-facing eagle on the left side of the tank, it's a repaint.

Thanks for that, rocker. 

[rocker59]

Thanks guys for all the great information! I had no idea about the left eagle facing the rear, I will have to re  check mine, but I think they both face forwards...
Flower King, That white Lemans looks stunning! Perfect  sport tourer setup.
Rick.

[bigbikerrick]

I just went out to the garage and checked mine, and the left side  gas tank eagle is facing towards the rear, so I think my paint is original. I cant believe I never took notice of the eagle facing the "wrong" way before.
  I am happy to know my paint is original. I am just going to leave it as is, since "They are only original once"   
Rick.

[wirespokes]

I wonder if it's possible to remove the left side eagle, replace with a forward-facing version and re-clearcoat?

[bigbikerrick]

I wonder if it's possible to remove the left side eagle, replace with a forward-facing version and re-clearcoat?

I think it would be very difficult , and risky to do, especially on paint that old. If your original paint is nice, its probably not worth the risk.You would risk sanding through the base color, when sanding to remove the clear over the sticker, so you could peel  off the eagle. I am not saying its impossible, but it would be one heck of a "finesse job" to remove those eagles without damaging the base coat, where you could re apply a new sticker, and scuff/ re clear the whole tank.
Rick.

[rocker59]

I wonder if it's possible to remove the left side eagle, replace with a forward-facing version and re-clearcoat?

Why would you want to do that? Ruin the original paint job?

[Groover]

Makes them a little more natural, as in birds flying around going any direction. Freedom!

[wirespokes]

No - it's not a big deal to me having an eagle flying backwards. But I was curious if there's a way to turn him around easily.