1979 original paint colors.

[rick79r65]

I'm planning on painting my 1979 this summer. The original color is Silver Beige. I like it well enough but I'm thinking of perhaps a change. If so, I want to stick with an original 79 color.
What were the choices for the 1979 model year ?
     One other question....if I stay with Silver Beige I'd like to recover my seat. Does anyone know a source for a brown original style seat cover ? All I can find is black.
Thanks for any help.

[Bob_Roller]

I think Bronco brown was the other OEM color for that year .

[rick79r65]

I've seen the Bronco. I think it had red pinstripes.

[wilcom]

Does anyone know a source for a brown original style seat cover ? All I can find is black.

I changed a brown 79 seat to black with SEM vinyl  paint. Looked like it was factory and 20 years with my butt in the saddle , never wore off or looked aged.... Good stuff

https://www.amazon.com/SEM-VCS-CC-Colorcoat-Color-Chart/dp/B00B057Y7G/ref=asc_df_B00B057Y7G/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid={creative}&hvpos={adposition}&hvnetw=o&hvrand={random}&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl={devicemodel}&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584070138094665&psc=1

[Barry]

My 79 is silver beige. I replaced the original brown seat with black and think it looks far better.  Surely the only reason for brown is to maintain concurs originality.

My paint is original. If I was to re-paint it I would make a subtle change and look for something more silver than beige and keep the black seat.

I've seen the early model bikes in Henna Red but there were no decals on the side covers so it may not have been original

Silver beige continued into the 81 - model year and was matched with a black seat.

[ged in oz]

I’ll swap you.

I’m pretty sure that the bloke who sold me these R45 parts said it was a ‘79. I think it’s original(?), it’s certainly brown, but I’m actually looking for a (later model) black seat!

I’m on the other side of the planet, so we’re not much good to each other, but there are lots of parts that are coming onto the market over here as a result of people building customs, so if you waited long enough... I’m just in the process of trying to snare a nice original black example that’s been jettisoned.

I think the early (79 -80) examples had a pleated seat while the later (81 - 84) had plain non-pleated seats? Is that how it went? Does anyone know the story there?

[Barry]

The 81 on seats were plain, completely different in design and only came in black. I suspect the 78-80 seats were only available in brown matched with silver beige, bronco brown and possibly henna red.

[ged in oz]

The 81 on seats were plain, completely different in design and only came in black.

Thanks Barry. That was what I had figured. It’s interesting that you say they were a different design. I’ve test fitted up that ‘79 seat to my later toolbox and rear cowl and it seems to fit? Other than the different screw locations, I think the seat might actually be the same?

[rick79r65]

I've thought of going with a black seat. However the brown seat matches the brown pinstripes on the Silver Beige paint scheme.
Maybe I could change the stripe color when I get the re spray.
Any suggestions ?