1957 Export Colours

I have recently purchased a 57 88 for restoration here in California and I've been trying to discover the original colour. The frame is black with the optional chrome mudguards - No sign of polychromatic grey. I've taken the petrol tank down to bare metal. There is a thin grey primer covered by a thin coat of yellow then a thick hard coat of red which is resistant to Acetone. The bike has since been painted purple and then red again.

Could the tank have been originally red?

I've read rumours of colours other than the grey for export but was hoping to hear from someone who can confirm red with black frame as a 57 export colour.

Thanks,

James

The 1960's export ES2 singles were also painted red with small tanks, and high bars. The dispatch records should show the colours and specifications for the export bikes in a column on the side of the batch of bikesthat were sent to the USA. Ask Dave Catton as he can look up the dispatch records and then you will know for sure what colour your bike would have been when dispatched from the factory.

Previously anthony_curzon wrote:

The 1960's export ES2 singles were also painted red with small tanks, and high bars. The dispatch records should show the colours and specifications for the export bikes in a column on the side of the batch of bikesthat were sent to the USA. Ask Dave Catton as he can look up the dispatch records and then you will know for sure what colour your bike would have been when dispatched from the factory.

Thanks Tony and Anna.

Dave got back to me and the bike was black. Not the answer I expected. I was hoping for red. Perhaps I'll paint the tank red anyway.

James