Author Topic: Light Ruby Red (again)?  (Read 695 times)

Offline XS850

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Light Ruby Red (again)?
« on: May 23, 2026, 04:58:02 PM »
Hello all - trying to get the nearest colour match to original 75 cb400f light Ruby Red - various forums and answers here state Honda Milano Red R81, this I’ve got but comparing with the inside of a side panel the R81 is definitely a more “plum” colour. Somewhere else suggests Honda r-25, does anyone recognise that as a named colour at all please before I order another 500ml (full repaint not started - yet) or any greater knowledge of the actual colour?

Bruce

Offline Coppertop1234

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Re: Light Ruby Red (again)?
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2026, 05:07:32 PM »
Son has just repainted his pics attached from rattle cans

I think its the Ruby red i will ask him for more info if its the colour you want
I Love Tinkering with Old Classics
1970 Mobylette 50cc  
1972 Honda Cb175
1974 Yamaha Rd250  
1962 Triumph 650 Bonneville
1972 Norton Commando
1978 Honda CB400/4
1976 CB750F1 
1976 Suzuki GT750 Kettle
1978 Honda CB 750 F1 
Married Life No Bikes for a while then
1975 CB Honda 400/4 Restoration
1976 Kawasaki Z650   Restoration
2002 Suzuki GSX1400
1976 Honda cb750F1  Restoration
1978 Honda cb750 F1 Restoration
1977 CB 250 Dream    Restoration
1977 CB400/4  - The last one - Restoration

Offline Coppertop1234

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Re: Light Ruby Red (again)?
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2026, 05:20:49 PM »
Paint from rs on line

Don't know if this helps.out or answers your question but end results look fine.
« Last Edit: May 23, 2026, 05:29:02 PM by Coppertop1234 »
I Love Tinkering with Old Classics
1970 Mobylette 50cc  
1972 Honda Cb175
1974 Yamaha Rd250  
1962 Triumph 650 Bonneville
1972 Norton Commando
1978 Honda CB400/4
1976 CB750F1 
1976 Suzuki GT750 Kettle
1978 Honda CB 750 F1 
Married Life No Bikes for a while then
1975 CB Honda 400/4 Restoration
1976 Kawasaki Z650   Restoration
2002 Suzuki GSX1400
1976 Honda cb750F1  Restoration
1978 Honda cb750 F1 Restoration
1977 CB 250 Dream    Restoration
1977 CB400/4  - The last one - Restoration

Offline JEZZAIRONBRIDGE

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Re: Light Ruby Red (again)?
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2026, 08:21:26 PM »
Went the Milano Red route.

Offline taysidedragon

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Re: Light Ruby Red (again)?
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2026, 09:06:18 PM »
I painted mine in Honda Milano Red too. 👍

Gareth

1977 CB400F
1965 T100SS

Offline XS850

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Re: Light Ruby Red (again)?
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2026, 09:43:55 PM »
Thanks for those last two photos - looks like my “mix”might not be right. I’ll compare it to a spray can I’ve got and try another supplier

Offline McCabe-Thiele (Ted)

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Re: Light Ruby Red (again)?
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2026, 10:09:30 PM »
As I'm sure most here know, one of the issues with Red paint (& Yellow) is it fades quite badly over time.
In the absences of the later RAL number system it's pretty much in the hands of a specialist supplier to find a match close to the original.

A replacement side panel painted to match the original tank today, might look awful a couple of years down the line as the new paint fades at a different rate to the original tank.



Honda CB400NA Superdream (current money puddle)
Honda CB500 K1 (second money pit)
https://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,28541.0.html
Honda CB400 four super sport (first money pit)
Link to my full restoration http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,23291.0.html
This is a neat 500 restoration in the USA.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,151576.msg1731556.html#msg1731556

Offline JEZZAIRONBRIDGE

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Re: Light Ruby Red (again)?
« Reply #7 on: May 24, 2026, 08:42:12 PM »
Few more images found.
Hope they may help.
Milano Red