Yamaha aluminum finish

[rodneya]

What did Yamaha use on the fork tubes and other aluminum parts like the brake plate on RD350's. Is it a clear anodizing or clear coat?

[RattlecanResto]

Clear lacquer I believe

[Organicjedi]

Yes, clear lacquer

[motodreams]

I third that!  Often has yellowed over the years. Acetone will take it off.

[Hawaii-Mike]

I have tried clear powder coat and several other clear coats without long lasting results.  Now I think the best treatment is polishing and a coat of penetrating oil to keep the corrosion away.  Corrosion X is a great product.

[rodneya]

I have tried clear powder coat and several other clear coats without long lasting results.  Now I think the best treatment is polishing and a coat of penetrating oil to keep the corrosion away.  Corrosion X is a great product.

Clear coat is made to go over paint, so you need to take a few extra steps to get clear coat to work with bare aluminum.
I first clean with POR15 cleaner de-greaser, then POR15 metal prep. This helps adhesion by light etching and leaving a zinc phosphate coating. Then POR-15 40020 AP-120 Metal Prep which also helps adhesion.
Then you can clear coat. I have used the POR15 2k clear with good results, but it is quite difficult to spray without getting runs. I think it is because it is made to be brushed on without getting brush marks, but it is probably operator error.
I picked up some regular 2k clear, so I will give that a try.

My tank was clear coated back in 73 or 74 and apart from some scratches and dents it still looked pretty good with no peeling, so it can be done.