well, decided to update my thread on this resto...
bike runs well, just needs the carbs balanced, and the engine itself is pretty much rideable as it is now, so shouldnt be too much work to balance them.
rebuilt the caliper, including a replacement piston (old one looked clean except for right where the caliper piston seal was, there was a ring of pits around the piston... not many pits total, but what few there were were really deep) brake no longer sqeals like a #$%*, and only squeals if i really have to crank on them to stop (I.E. emergency stops). as long as i use the back brake along with the front, i dont have to squeeze the front very hard and it doesnt sqeal. the sqealing may fade over time and usage, i dont know. NOT something im going to worry about terribly at this point.
as far as restoration parts, i have found on ebay, a set of headlight fork ears to replace what one of the PO's had done to eliminate the turn signals off the bike. also, bought another set of side covers, which will have to be repainted as they are not the correct color, but that is a minor fix anyway, since i will have the tank and side covers repainted anyway. all that is left really for parts to find, is the turn signals themselves, the rear grab bar (since it has the mounts for the rear turn signal stems) and the rear turn signal stems. i can have everything else that needs to be polished up, and if necessary, re-chromed/re-zinced as needed.
replaced the turn signal flasher, which makes the turn signals i jury-rigged from an old honda and kawa actually blink at the same pace... before, the right one blinked at a MUCH faster pace than the left. also, the horn/turn signal buzzer doesnt work at all. will need to fix that as well. not sure if it is the horn button for the horn that is not working, or what the deal is. ill narrow it down eventually. at least now it is in ridable condition.