'78 R80/7: Get running again questions - My Airhead Needs Help https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/ Airheads Beemer Club Discussion Board en-US Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:45:45 +0000 wpForo 60 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11791 Thu, 23 Jul 2020 16:38:50 +0000 My Airhead Needs Help Jason Nicks https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11791 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11788 Thu, 23 Jul 2020 12:10:22 +0000 My Airhead Needs Help john stirling https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11788 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11768 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 20:46:40 +0000 My Airhead Needs Help 12771 https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11768 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11765 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:27:20 +0000 My Airhead Needs Help Richard W https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11765 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11764 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:01:29 +0000 critical only in the sense that failure to do so is going to cost you $400 to $500 to correct, and become one more road block to finally getting to ride this bike. The act of riding, possibly creating a great and very important time for you and your son. I know it was for me and my youngest. Critical because the drive shaft U-joint and splines are splash lubricated. If the level isn't correct (possibly also due to a torn U-joint boot) then the drive shaft doesn't dip into the oil and sling it all around. If there's trouble, then swing arm assembly has to completely come off the bike and be sent to a shop with Airhead tools. The shaft is made into the housing and does not separate without tools. Then, when it returns you'll need to work through all sorts of SA bearing adjustments to center it all back up. The final drive is another piece that cannot be set without a full shop. The ring and pinion gears are individually shimmed into place using dial indicators. Sure you could get a replacement FD housing assembly off Ebay, but even those range from $100 to $250, plus shipping. So even inserting a used FD housing is costly. Bottom line.. both reservoirs lubricate very costly items that you absolutely don't want to fail. ► Nothing was "offensive", I was simply in total shock that of all the times you had taken liquid medicines there was no awareness that the containers are graduated in CC's. Kitchen measuring cups too, for that matter. And we won't mention baby care products. Graduated containers are all around us and a great many are disposable plastic types that otherwise go into the recycling bin. Many a kingdom is lost for the want of a horse. The simple tools sometimes end up being the most useful and shouldn't be discounted. I'm sensitive to the fact you have a lot of spinning plates in the air right now. Sorry if my comments caused you undo concern. It's all good.]]> My Airhead Needs Help Richard W https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11764 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11762 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 08:51:44 +0000 My Airhead Needs Help 12771 https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11762 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11759 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 02:58:26 +0000 - As far as the starter relay goes - I ordered the $6.50 part you suggested ... is it a standard-type relay? Do you mean that I don’t necessarily need the $30 one from MAX or some other supplier? The only thing "standard" is the size and format. There must be 30-odd relays with that general form factor. Is it equivalent ? YES. If you have questions, each one has a schematic on the side of the unit. Compare the schematics before plugging it in.
- Should I replace the voltage regulator also since it’s up in the same sort of location as the starter relay?
You should replace the voltage regulator because 1) your OEM VR is mechnical and is slap worn out after 40 years, and 2) because the PC680 is an AGM that desires a higher charge voltage than the OEM wet cell battery. Motorrad Elektrik sells an all-electronic VR specifically for AGMs.
- My the beeper linked to my buzzer relay is not beeping like it should when the turn signal is on and the clutch is let out ... which is actually less annoying for me, but is a bit concerning, since I haven’t done anything to it other than clean and reconnect the relay. MAX shows this as a discontinued part ... which isn’t surprising, since my understanding is that it was only included for a couple of years. If it fails, I guess I just remove it somehow ...?
I'll bet you $5 it starts working again with the application of No-Ox-Id.
- Question on driveshaft and rear bevel drive oil ... I replaced these, but just eye-balled the amount I put back in. Is it essential to measure the amount that goes in there? I haven’t driven on it yet since I replaced it, and have no problem draining and replacing it again in both spots, but I don’t have a syringe yet to measure it out.
• You can "eye-ball" the volume in the final drive, because there you can see the liquid level. 240cc fills to the bottom of the threaded hole, which is the correct (and critical) oil level. • You cannot "eye-ball" the oil level in the drive shaft because you cannot see the level due to the presence of the shaft itself. You got to be kidding me. Get yourself to the Baby Section in any big store and spend 69 cents on a plastic baby bottle graduated in CC's. Use this for the forks, drive shaft, and final drive oils. It's a life time tool. I've been using the same baby bottle since 1971 and it's not nearly worn out. Hope this helps.]]> My Airhead Needs Help Richard W https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11759 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11757 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 02:13:55 +0000 My Airhead Needs Help 12771 https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11757 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11751 Sun, 19 Jul 2020 00:02:34 +0000 Number 1 offender when any brake fluid has been leaking is the Starter Relay. All system power passes through the Starter Relay on your bike, and the relay AND its contacts MUST be in pristine condition. Most of the OEM relays are shot by this time in 2020 since they are 40 years old. I highly advise replacement. Not sure you can afford it, but HERE'S ONE for under $6.50 !! • The unplugging and re-connection of several terminals says to me you have electrical connector corrosion caused by 40 years of riding in the rain and bike washing. Once the corrosion starts it doesn't magically stop. It WILL return. All you need to do now is decide whether to fix it at home, or on the side of the road. The fix at home is easy. Order the smallest vial of No-Ox-Id and add a very small amount (about 1/2 drop) to each electrical connector, relay, light bulb, etc, etc you ever disconnect. HERE. This compound ends the corrosion, promotes connectivity, and keeps corrosion from returning. This is a good job for Junior. Set him in front of the head lamp shell (lens removed) and have him unplug every connector one at a time, treat the connector, and then plug it back in. Don't forget the battery cables (both ends), the harness connector near the tool tray, the voltage regulator plug, and all the relays... plus all the connectors under the fuel tank, horn terminals.... well, you get the picture. All the best.]]> My Airhead Needs Help Richard W https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11751 '78 R80/7: Get running again questions https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11750 Sat, 18 Jul 2020 20:20:44 +0000 My Airhead Needs Help 12771 https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/78-r80-7-get-running-again-questions/paged/2/#post-11750