Topic: Mechanic and Bone Yard/Parts Source in North Texas

[Eric_CB400F]

Recently bought a 1975 Honda CB400F (total basket case) on Craigslist for $200.  The thing is a mess. 

I live in Dallas, TX and I am looking for a mechanic in the DFW area (preferably my side of the metroplex) that can do some of the more advanced engine work (may need to bore cylinders) and possibly a thorough carb rebuild with experience working on this type of bike.  So far I found the guys at 2wheels4life over on Harry Hines who say they can do just about anything and charge $65/hr for labor.  Is this a reasonable rate?  Does anyone know of any other mechanics in my area?  It seems every other bike mechanic I call are Harley/V-twin or new crotch rocket guys who tell me they won't touch a 1975 CB400F.

Also, it would be great to find a bike bone yard or some local source of parts in the DFW area.  Ebay is great, but it would be nice to be able to just go somewhere on the weekend and get my parts rather than pay shipping and hope the parts arrive in the condition described by the sellers. 

This is my first bike project so any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Also, I tried using the "search" feature to see of these questions were answered in other threads and didn't see that they were.  If they were I apologize.  Thanks y'all!

[Coyote13]

My advice is to read, read, read, read, read, and read more than you ever have for anything else in your life.

My second piece of advice is DO NOT LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR BIKE EXCEPT YOU.  You'll get it back and never know wtf they've been doing in there and spend the same amount of time, if not more, trying to correct their mistakes.

Take your time and do one thing at a time! Get to know your bike, get it up and running as well as it can.  Then figure out if it needs boring, etc.

I haven't found anyone in the Dallas area yet that I would trust with my bike.  That being said, this forum is a great resource and will help you in any endeavor you try to tackle.  I have no garage, but I do have some tools, some time, and some patience.  If you need an extra set of hands just holler.  I don't know your bike specifically, but I'm willing to help where I can.

[Eric_CB400F]

My advice is to read, read, read, read, read, and read more than you ever have for anything else in your life.

My second piece of advice is DO NOT LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR BIKE EXCEPT YOU.  You'll get it back and never know wtf they've been doing in there and spend the same amount of time, if not more, trying to correct their mistakes.

Take your time and do one thing at a time! Get to know your bike, get it up and running as well as it can.  Then figure out if it needs boring, etc.

I haven't found anyone in the Dallas area yet that I would trust with my bike.  That being said, this forum is a great resource and will help you in any endeavor you try to tackle.  I have no garage, but I do have some tools, some time, and some patience.  If you need an extra set of hands just holler.  I don't know your bike specifically, but I'm willing to help where I can.

Coyote: I appreciate the advice and the offer of an extra hand.  Man, read, read, read is right.  I'm so glad I found this forum and RickB's CB400F rebuild thread in particular as I've learned more from a few days of thread surfing than I think I could after rebuilding 3 bikes.  I'm actually screwing myself at work b/c I am spending so much time reading up on this (I'm a lawyer, I bill by the hour) rather than working. 

I'm less interested in finding a mechanic than in finding a source for parts.  I plan to do as much on this bike as I can, but I've never rebuilt an entire engine before and although I've rebuilt carbs and gotten plenty of grease on my hands from my 66 Mustang, the Ford 289 and the 2 and 4 barrel carbs I've worked on were like child's play next to the quad carbs on this bike.