Hi Clem, I stand correct then, thanks for the additional info. Do you know the Lancia model maybe? Searching the web for "Lancia Dahsboard", I could not find one that was exactly the same. The Delta one looks a bit like the RGS, but it has round instruments (at least the ones I could find).
Piero always tells the story that at the beginning, all Laverda Race bikes were white. But not only Laverdas, ALL Race bikes almost were white and therefore, they had a hard time identifying their bikes when they came down the start/finish line. This was important though, as they needed to show them on these info tables what position they are at, how far behind the leading one they are (or how far ahead) etc.. To early, and they inform their competitors. To late, and their riders don't see it
Therefore, Piero asked his Design professor what color people do recognize best beyond white. The professor answered "yellow, followed by every grade of orange until you reach red."
So - they called their race teams all over europe and also their importers (who mostly had local race-teams, too) and asked them what they think. Most of them did not care - except for the dutch importer. He called them day and night and asked them to do orange. Finally, Piero made a deal with him: if he purchased a certain number of bikes (50??), they would paint all race bikes orange. The importer agreed and so the color was changed from white to orange.
That's how I was told the story and I think it's also reflected similarly in one or two books... ;-)
Garbage collection and road construction most probably... at least in Germany...

Don't think though that was the source for the color, see above