Congrats on your purchase!! These old bikes are like having a loose tooth when you were a kid - you know, they kind of hurt and feel great at the same time, lol
Just a couple thoughts for you:
1. My biggest suggestion is to just read and read and read. There is such a wealth of information on this forum it's totally awesome! Just fyi - use the google custom search to find stuff.
I've been like a vampire lurking on here forever - rebuilt my carbs, oil, brakes, etc. etc. etc. - The first I ever needed to actually post was just the other day trying to find some air cleaner boots for my CB550 - and within an hour or two someone pointed me to a supplier that runs about a third of what they go for on ebay - if you can even find them.
Anyway, not trying to discourage you from posting - after all, this is a forum - just saying to read as almost everything you need has probably been written about in amazing detail.
2. "... the left blinker makes a beeping sound when the blinker is on. I have never owned a bike like this so I am not sure it is normal."
Lolz! CB's have a horn/buzzer that sounds kind of like the back-up warning for a truck that is there to subtly remind you to turn off your blinker ... don't know if I'd call it "normal"
but it's a regular part of the charm of these CBs.
3. There are surprisingly a lot of good places to get parts - it really depends on what you need. Some places have great prices on certain items, while others have better on others. You just have to search around. Here are some of my regular haunts, though:
http://www.z1enterprises.com/http://www.powersportsplus.com/parts/search/Honda/Motorcycle/parts.htmlhttp://www.oldbikebarn.com/Many others - it really depends on the specific part. When you need something in particular, post it up and be as precise as possible and these guys (and gals) will inevitably hook you up if it's a difficult to find or rare part.
As far as what to start with, I would look at some of these projects where people are putting bikes together as they inevitably end up creating a checklist of things to go through (usually accompanied by wails of pain as they get one thing fixed only to have another thing go wrong
) -
Typically it is a (never-ending) process of elimination.
My usual route with a new-to-me bike (although it varies) is to put in new spark plugs (check the gap); change the oil; clean the carbs incredibly, ridiculously, annoyingly well; check timing/points; followed by valve clearance; followed by synchronizing carbs.
That said - it's hard to really know on your bike - did it sit for years before you got it? Or did the PO ride it every day? If it sat, then you need to worry about your tires and brakes/master cylinder as well. You can't mess around with safety when it comes to bikes, especially if you're a newer rider.
4. For cleaning stuff, goop engine foam works pretty well and is fairly gentle. Personally, I'm a little too addicted to carb cleaner, lol, as sometimes it seems like it just works for EVERYTHING - but don't let that stuff near anything except metal. It will destroy rubber, plastic, etc.
I also really like brass bristled brushes - they do a good job of cleaning up stuff, but are soft enough that they don't leave a lot of scratches. Again - it really depends on the specific task at hand.
5. As far as oil, opinions will vary, but personally I just use the Honda motorcycle oil - you don't want to use car oil as it can raise havoc with your clutch.
6. I am also a fan of seafoam - I always run some through my tank once every two months or so as it seems (to me anyway) that it keeps the carbs clean and running well. In addition, it also keeps your gas in shape during down time over the winter.
7. TAKE PICTURES. TAKE PICTURES. TAKE PICTURES. This will save your a** - I am such a bonehead mechanically, yet I have managed to rebuild engines, restore bikes, etc. and godbless the digital camera because it gives you something to refer back to (you won't remember exactly how it goes back together - you always think you will, or it will be obvious - but you won't, and it won't be)
8. You're a little too vague on the electrical issue for me to be much help - make sure your battery is fully charged #1. Second, check your grounds. Third, check your other connections - just walk through your lines and make sure everything looks as it should - (i.e. everything connected, no fused/broken wires), then check your fuses. You can get a little do-dad from the auto-store that will check them for you to make sure that they are good - although you can usually eye-ball them, but if they can look good, and be blown (ask me how I know)
That's probably plenty to chew on - if you want more help on the electrical you'll have to take some photos and run some tests after you check the basics - such as your battery charge.
Good luck - sounds like you have a cool project! These bikes are fantastic - once you get the kinks ironed out, they run really well and mostly problem free. They are four decades old though - but that's just part of the fun
