Motorcycle Repair: Front Brake, motorcycle salvage yard, honda cb400t

Question
Hi Chris,
  I just bought a 1981 honda cb400t hawk about a week ago off of ebay. It only has 7000 miles on it so it most likely has been sitting for awhile. The front wheel barely moves and the front brake lever doesn't move at all. I'm stumped on what could be wrong with it. I would appreciate it if you could fill me in on what you might think is wrong with it.
                               Thanks
                                  Jim

Answer
Hi Jim.
 Well, to start with, you will most likely have to replace the front brake system because the chances are that the fluid has turned to goo inside of it.  Thus the brake lever not moving.

The front wheel could be locked up for one of 2 reasons.  Either the brake was stuck in the engaged position and froze there, or the wheel bearings are rusted solid.  If it's the former, then repairing the brake problem will fix that.  If it's the latter, then you will need to replace the wheel bearings and possibly the axle as well.  To save some money, check with a motorcycle salvage yard for the brake components.  If you need to replace the bearings, get those new.  You should be fine with a salvage axle if you need to replace that.

One last thing.  Get the repair manual for the bike it will have specs on the entire machine as well as COMPLETE disassembly diagrams and testing instructions for the bike and it's components.

Let me know what happens.
Good luck.
FALCON