I would have to think about cleracoating alum. I would ponder the point, but you might have to just keep her clean..got to remember shes old-like me....lol I am thinking we are thinking stock (diamond in the rough)on this one as she is pretty nice as she is. The more I look at the old gal I think I am going stock. I wanted a xs 650 yamaha for a bobber but this one just showed up. I dont have alot of money but I like to tinker, as long as we are here it bugs some friends as in what are you doing-but they have no clue. Buy they way build date 10-77 thats the month I went in the army and to think about the gt 550 suziki I hade when I went in-bummer-3 harleys later, and a virago bought new theres a mistake(think this one will be the great go back and forth do what you want to bike. 74 harley gone-76 harley gone-make a bike and give them to your babies............wow that would be cool, later luder-have to do one winter project a year-keeps you thinking