So, I figure now is as good a time as any to introduce myself since I have a question. I'm from the St. Louis area, been riding motorcycles for about 17 years, but this is my first time rebuilding a project bike from the ground up. Proud new owner of a 1975 cb400f and having some pretty good progress on my winter project. It's completely stripped to the frame and ready for paint. Engine has been scrubbed down and is looking pretty. Carbs were rebuilt by a friend of the PO who is an expert, so I trust them. all parts necessary to get it running have been ordered from ebay and 4into1. It's about ready to start putting things back on, just waiting on a wiring harness.
Sorry if I'm being an insufferable noob here, but I am in fact a noob. I'm sure my questions have been probably been addressed as topics before, but since the search function does not function and I've tried every iteration of the google site: search, I am throwing in the towel and asking my questions.
Question 1:
Rear brake actuator arm:
As I am going through making an inventory of needed parts and whatnot, I come across the rear brake actuator arm which is broken at the rod end. Looking through 4into1 and ebay, I am finding that this part is virtually impossible to find unless you want to pay dearly for it. Just wondering, what is the interchangeability of these actuators from one bike to the next. Could I use a cb550 actuator arm on my bike without causing any issues? I understand mechanics and realize that the length of the actuator arm is going to have an impact on how well or poorly the brakes work.
Question 2:
Stock air intake parts.
I thought about going the Pods route, but like I said, I'm a noob. I just want to get it running first and then worry about aesthetics later. Anyway, there's a tunnel that goes from the air filter to the air chamber and it's another one of those things that's impossible to find. I found one on e-bay but it's in England and would cost an arm and a leg to ship to the US. But, I work with a guy who's got a 3D printer in his office. The part itself is metal, but since its job is simply to carry clean air from the filter to the chamber, would it be a big deal to get one fabricated out of plastic on the 3D printer?
Anyhow, if you made it this far, thanks for taking the time out of your day. I guess my real question is "Where can I find those hard to find parts?"
I look forward to your responses,
Jon