does anyone know what a genuine 1978 ural m67 identity tag plate should look like or have a photo as i have just bought the said bike and i'm being told that the tag plate does not look original to the bike however nobody can give me a definitive answer as to what an original one should look like, any comments would be gratefully appreciated

As far as I know the first Ural M-67s that were sold in Australia were all 1980 models. I worked for the then importer and uncrated and assembled quite a few from those shipments. Unless yours was a private import I dont think it could be 1978.

The trade plate on the steering neck behind the headlight should have the round IMZ emblem on it along with the year and engine number stamped onto it.