Victor Penner asked:
"I understand that it is common practice during restoration to "bury" decals/transfers under clearcoat for preservation and presentation, but when did "clear" over transfers happen for OEM bikes? Was it after 1983?"
Victor, burying decals in clear is a labor intense practice that custom painters use and not likely to be found on OEM bikes of any year or of any kind. After the decals are applied, Multiple coats of clear have to go over just the decal area, lengthening the "wet out" area on each pass so their is a layer transition. Enough time has to pass between each of these coats so the clear doesn't sag or run. Depending on the methods, some sanding may take place between these passes. After the final "bury" coat, the entire frame is wet sanded smooth for a superb base for the final thinned out clears. That process alone can equal the time it takes some companies to make an entire frame. Most companies that aren't custom aren't messing about with sanding anytime during the painting process like we do a lot. For example, I also sand the primers smooth as well.
Brian Baylis might know who was the custom painter that started burying decals. I wasn't aware of it when I began painting in the mid 70's.
Doug Fattic
Niles, Michigan, USA