Thanks to all who replied, I will do my best to respond. The original ad is only a day old, and is the first posting (I have been scouring Craigslist for a month). I tried to post the link but this board won't allow that. I will try to post pictures if I can get them independently.
I talked with him on the phone. Claims to be an aircraft mechanic, long time Honda owner, does all his own maintenance. Carb service was indeed what you suspected, take apart, clean, put back together.
He says the bike runs, shifts, stops very well, no mechanical issues, starts right up every time Chrome is original and unpitted. Tank was lined about 20 years ago, no known issues. Exhaust is a 4 to 1 from a 400F. He says all lights, instrumentation, and electronics are working perfectly. Odometer is at 29K.
He did say the green paint was original and had clear coat peeling, fading, little knicks, etc. Basically 40 year old patina. It has always been garaged in his ownership.
I am 6 ft even and 200 lbs. I get the sense this will be a smaller bike for my frame. I don't want to feel cramped, but I also don't intend to do cross country riding. Day joy rides in fair weather is my goal.
He has a 4 carb sync tool he says he uses, hopefully he would throw that in.
Price based on my limited looking in the NW is pretty good. As I've talked to the twin Honda guys about, these bikes seem to have an inflated value in this region. There is no shortage of hipsters here that drive up the prices of anything "vintage". For instance, I was also looking at a CB350T listed at $2250 (good condition), which is on the low side of asking prices here.
I'm OK with what I've heard from him so far. I would like a bike I can safely ride the rest of the summer, but also don't mind tearing into it and dumping some money on it over the winter, etc. My only real concern is avoiding laying down an original like this as a first rider. I'd like to keep it original and unmolested.
Any other thoughts?
