Topic: Hello from WA

[Jammer]

Hello new member here, well kinda, I joined last year but when I came back this year my info was gone...
My name is David, I live in Snoqualmie, WA.
I have a 75 CB400F Varnish Blue. The bike has been sitting for several years since my son used it for a first bike. I recently went out to storage and pulled the cover off to evaluate.
The chrome is starting to show pock marks of surface rust, the aluminum has lost it's polish and has a patina of oxidation, the seat is torn, the paint needs a clay,polish and wax etc. etc. etc. All the things you see when you want it to be perfect.
My dilemma is:
1. Should I tear it apart and completely redo it. (Been collecting misc parts for a while.)
2. Just get it running and ride it for the summer
3. Sell it
My rational thoughts tell me: "It has been sitting for a long time waiting for you to have the time to tackle a project but you don't have any idea when that might be. Maybe you should just sell it to somebody who will appreciate it before it melts into a pile of corrosion"
My romantic side says: " that bike has a lot of history, you should hang onto it forever, if you get around to it great, if not leave it to the kids"
I know some of you have been here before too. Any thought or advice?
Sorry for the ramble.
David

[nickjtc]

Hi David. Make it rideable and put in a season on it. Doesn't matter what it looks like because if it's out and about you will always get people coming up to chat. At the end of the season you can decide where you are going with it.

I'd keep it, whatever happens.

Nick

[jevfro]

Hello from another Washingtonian! I live in ellensburg and have a 750K that was in bad shape. I second the vote for getting yours running.  It's not that difficult and if you can find people to help(this forum is full of them) you're set.  I know there are members from the west-side and a few of us east of the cascades.  Drop a line if you need anything in particular and I can see if I dig it up.  The chrome parts live alot longer here in the desert wasteland
Welcome to the forum

[boatsdickson]

Jammer ya got another m/c to ride in the meantime? That might sway your vote to strip it down. As for being your sons, ya better keep it around...

[Blaize]

Hey I am over in seattle, glad to see there are a few of us on this board. Seem like I see so many vintage hondas bombing around seattle but never hear of any organised rides or meets. We should work on that.

 Anyway, reason I am posting is to pass along some info. Should you end up tearing it down and rebuilding it get in touch with bob at www.bikesalvage.com I have been out to his shop/wharehouse and bought a few parts from him and he has 3 or 4 of everything and charges realistic prices for it all. Like $20 for a caliper and $5 for a master cyl. He doesnt rebuild a damn thing but has some very nice stuff and it is all stored inside. I have lived all over the country and been to more bike graveyards than I care to remember and I can tell you we are very lucky to be so close to this one.

[burmashave]

Hey Jammer, I agree with Nick and Jevfro.  It doesn't seem to be an either or proposition to me.  It shouldn't be too hard to get it running so you can ride it.  I would guess that you'll want to keep it after riding it some.  You can always do parts of the rebuild piecemeal, instead of everything at once.  If Snoqualmie gets snow, you can put off serious rebuilding until the winter.