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78E Standard Revival
- Thread starter member28833
- Start date
Left side tight, clutch feels fine. Nice to get the left pegs on too.
Soon, BS38'S
Still parts sourcing a few bits before assembly....
Slow and unsteady..
It's been years since the wiring in the headlight was all plugged together. Took my time and called it good untested.. Chrome? Too much? I just really like to chrome these out.
I have finally acquired the next single outlet breather for this 78E. Disassembling a stock 78 breather gives up the internal baffling options. I've done this before on the 79 and it seems great. Doesn't hardly drip oil. But, I am considering a different combination of baffling components again.
Searching for appropriate chrome hexhead bolts today..
And after completing the 79 which has a very firm and strong handlebar mount, the 78E SR500 handlebars feel too floppy. Re-Do coming on the mounts.
It's been years since the wiring in the headlight was all plugged together. Took my time and called it good untested.. Chrome? Too much? I just really like to chrome these out.
I have finally acquired the next single outlet breather for this 78E. Disassembling a stock 78 breather gives up the internal baffling options. I've done this before on the 79 and it seems great. Doesn't hardly drip oil. But, I am considering a different combination of baffling components again.
Searching for appropriate chrome hexhead bolts today..
And after completing the 79 which has a very firm and strong handlebar mount, the 78E SR500 handlebars feel too floppy. Re-Do coming on the mounts.
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Ive often wondered if some course steel wool placed inside the breather would let air pressure vent, but help keep the oil inside the motor where it belongs.
Would prolly pick up moisture and rust. I like the concept though Bob. Perhaps stainless?
While out searching for specific length chrome bolts for the breather, I struck out.
however.. Genuine Mikuni 137.5's Mains for the 78E were found.
Viscous Cycle in Portland had already restocked since I previously bought their last set.
This BS38'S set is the nicest I've ever had. (Stashed for years) And now they are Mikuni mainjetted, Needle dropped, Float height checked.
Ready for action!
Did this after the dinner steak after the Saturday ride
great dayAttachments
Very nice Randy! 
Agree, fair warning (yours) was realized recently about the possible overtightening of jets which could be trouble in the future.
Im doing tasks on this 78E with as many custom tools in my road carry kit as possible.
I hope to ride the 78E farther than any of the others..
Im doing tasks on this 78E with as many custom tools in my road carry kit as possible.
I hope to ride the 78E farther than any of the others..
It should be more than up to the task. It’s maybe the best year as far as refinement goes. Take a look at this, this is straight out of the 1972 sales brochure,
Now that is Cool !
Yes, if a guy looks into the big 2 outlet breather of many years it is quite apparent that that design had much thought
There are divided chambers, vapor flow routes, and spaces. It seems to be more than just a vent. And the later shallow single outlet breather still has a compact vapor flow route.
Before, I added the 78 small holed plate just because
it works. Now I like the idea of some stainless sponge winding in the last chamber for oil vapor flow control?I just trimmed the feet a smidge and bent a little more arc into the shape and will add something...
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Dang it parts are being removed for time consuming modifications such as the rear tail light change to a Lucas style repro
These are very good looking. Takes a bit of shaping to fit a short sporty 81 ish rear chrome fender.
Sunday morning slow, careful progress again.
I ended up modifying the single outlet breather by adding the many holed plate.
Why? Just because it worked very well on the previous 79 project. Then the automotive brake booster valve on yard sprinkler pipe as well.
Then that darn neutral switch terminal connection took much effort to fasten without damaging the wire or hard cap.
Finally, had the pleasure of installing the BS38'S which were meticulously checked over and eye ball synchronized using sunshine
I see plenty more to take on (rework) such as the handlebar mounts.
Lunch break....
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Had to confirm that a 81ish rear fender is actually a bolt on fit, it is ! That is a slightly shorter fender than a 78 Standard fender and the Lucas Style replica tail light is a rather easy fit after modifying the tail light casting arc. So, the 78E is becoming sportier than planned. Took the rack off.
If anybody following is wanting a fine standard fender and very nice tail light on it, consider this one. Remember, I'm still clearing garage shelf space lol..
If anybody following is wanting a fine standard fender and very nice tail light on it, consider this one. Remember, I'm still clearing garage shelf space lol..
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Lastly Sunday, Re secured the loose feeling handlebar mounts.
I used both thin spacer washers (what I had) between the rubber halves. And modified a set of top cup washers to replace the flat stock underneath as well. Along with the now required nut bottoming washers with thread major ID. Yamabond light coat on the bottom rubbers while there and bam.. These SR500 handlebars in Low Standard mounts are nice and tight now.
I used both thin spacer washers (what I had) between the rubber halves. And modified a set of top cup washers to replace the flat stock underneath as well. Along with the now required nut bottoming washers with thread major ID. Yamabond light coat on the bottom rubbers while there and bam.. These SR500 handlebars in Low Standard mounts are nice and tight now.
