Putting a bike back together - tips appreciated!

I'm working on putting a bike together. It's a 1978 Honda CB400 that I got pre-disassembled. I don't really know what I'm doing but I've got a couple repair manuals and a bunch of hand-me-down Craftsmen tools. I'm working on the rolling chassis right now and have most of that together. I've been using eBay motors to help discern some of the parts that look a lot alike.

ANY tips about this process would be appreciated.

Thank you

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Permalink Reply by Tony Pep on July 11, 2009 at 6:25am

RUN! Don't walk, away from this project. Unless you have EVERY part of the bike and they ALL are in good working order, you'll wind up spending as much as if you purchased a clean late-model used bike. This is true even if you got the CB400 for free.

Don't ask me how I know this. The other benefit of buying a late-model running bike - is you'd be spending your time riding instead of wrenching.

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Permalink Reply by Norana on July 11, 2009 at 6:58am

Believe it or not, you're not the first person to give me that kind of advice. However, I'm treating this more as a learning experience then as a money-saving venture. This way, I'll be able to at least pretend I know how to fix up a bike...

Besides, I was never one to listen to good, reasonable advice, but I do appreciate that you took the time to post a reply.

Tony Pep said:

RUN! Don't walk, away from this project. Unless you have EVERY part of the bike and they ALL are in good working order, you'll wind up spending as much as if you purchased a clean late-model used bike. This is true even if you got the CB400 for free.

Don't ask me how I know this. The other benefit of buying a late-model running bike - is you'd be spending your time riding instead of wrenching.