Reproduction Decals for a CT70 K3

ArcticMinibike

ArcticMinibike

Active Member
I am looking for quality reproduction K3 decals. The ones I bought from DRATV are crap. I knew something was wrong when I opened the sleeve they were in. The colors are off. When I went to install one, I noticed it's slightly smaller than my original as well. I've seen these decals elsewhere but hard to tell if the colors are correct. It seems to me everyone sells the same wrong ones. Anyone run into this before and found a source for accurate K3 decals? See comparison below.

It's a shame whoever made these didn't get the color right. The size doesn't bother me, but the colors look awful. Makes me think they used a faded original when scanning for the color. Since a lot of the parts people sell come from the same suppliers, and this particular year was unique, I'm afraid to order another set from someone else. I don't want be disappointed and out more money.

Original. This bike was stored indoors since 1980 or longer. The colors are original and bright.
decal_original.jpg


Reproduction. Yellow is too orange, Green is too blue. Colors are faded. Overall size is slightly smaller when measured.
decal_new.jpg


Old decal over new decal...
decal_comp.jpg
 
cjpayne

cjpayne

Well-Known Member
Oh yeah, I'd be disappointed too. Probably cheap china crap.

I think CHP sells them, but might be the same vendor.
 
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69ST

Well-Known Member
Yes, I've had very good results from NEVC for many years. I believe that they make their own decals...a huge advantage. I've not verified a set of K3s to this level, yet. However, I did a K1 recently...leaving the original paint intact...and there were no tan lines. That kind of precision surprised me, in the most favorable way.
 
ArcticMinibike

ArcticMinibike

Active Member
I'd like to be hopeful that NEVC are correct, but the pic looks exactly like the ones I received from DRATV. CHP makes a point of saying that their colors are correct. Unless their picture is off or outdated, the colors are clearly wrong on what they are selling. I can't go off of pictures due to camera and monitor settings. All I can do is send each supplier a small scrap from the original sticker I peeled off and see how it matches the one they offer. Seems like such a simple thing to match colors, or at least, not be so far off.

I've had OK luck with parts from NEVC, but have found that they don't make all their reproduction stuff. I'd have to ask them. For example, the seat I just purchased, by their own admission, was supplied by a guy in Florida. Nothing against that, but I wish they'd update their website photo which does not match the seat they are now selling. There is someone out on ebay selling decals that look more correct, but has a poor seller rating. I won't waste my time with them.

Are there any other lesser-known or high end restoration places / suppliers out there? TrailBuddy is the only other one I can think of. I can have them custom made and sell the spares, but I'd have to find a vendor that makes quality ones that will hold up and have good solid colors, no printer lines.
 
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allenp42

Well-Known Member
While NEVH may not be perfect, that are at the top of my list for overall parts quality, pricing and last but not least - Customer Service. Like most parts shops, they can get behind keeping there website and documentation up to-date. That is a never ending project. NEVH is top shelf in my my book. I would not hesitate to give them a call or shoot them an e-mail on your decal issue.
 
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