1978 Fuji SJ-10 - I have questions

[moderncyclista]

First off, here she is. Entry-level 1978 (18 1/2 inch frame) About 28 inch stand-over. Fuji SJ-10, little brother to the Fuji Sports 10. She's 33 years old. Barely touched components. Minimal frame scratch from storage somewhere in Colorado. A friend gave her to me. I've never owned a bike this old, so I'm learning a lot. Such as, handlebars in the 70's were narrow. It came with unwrapped original 36 cm Nitto Olympiads, but I had to swap for cheap alloy 42 cm as I couldn't ride the 36 ers. Did everyone in the 70's have tiny-baby arms? LOL. Everyone keeps telling me she's in great shape, but should I invest anymore money in a 70's entry-level bike?



"Stardust" (named for Ziggy Stardust and that Neil Gaiman novel) has non-aero original dia-compe levers with interrupter brakes attached to the brake lever mechanism. This bike came without hoods originally, but I wanted to put some on. Here's a close-up in the best winter light I have right now of the levers.



My question is, can I put brake hoods on her, or am I doomed to feel cold steel or hot steel when I ride her? I can't figure out if I'd just be able to mod the hoods or if it would butcher them completely. I wanted to go with black.

If I get entirely new levers is that expensive? Is it worth it? Should I keep her? Comments? Opinions?

Any help is appreciated. Long time no talk, ladies. I think of you helpful gals often and I think, "They'd know just what to do."