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My 1980 Honda CM 400A needs some work. It is idling high and snaping out of gear. I also need a new rear tire and new chain. I am concerned that since I don't how much I should pay I will be over charged. I am a female and don't want to get ripped off at the local Honda Dealer's Shop. Any suggestions?

If I were you, I do some research on the web. There are plenty of web-suppliers that will give you a good idea of what to expect price-wise. Then you can decide if you want to go that route or just head into your dealer armed with info on competitive prices. You might want to ask if they price match with their competitors, too. Most of them do, and you can usually save a bit that way. Just be prepared with a printed copy of the price you want them to match.

Be fair though. If a web supplier charges shipping, that should be added onto the price you want matched.

Go here: J.C. Whitney and order their free catalog. They're a big supplier and a good place to start.

One problem with a bike that old is that many shops won't even work on them anymore. Around here, it isn't uncommon to be told "we don't work on anything over 20 (or even 15) years old."

Too hard to get parts for them, which means a partly dis-assembled bike sits taking up shop space waiting for stuff that may or may not come in.

I'd suggest you start looking for a new ride, if you aren't mechanically savvy.

P

if it is fully engaging in gear and jumping out it will cost more to fix it than the bike is worth.engine cases have to be split to gain access to gears.

All sound advice. Old bikes are a great bargain, but if you haven't got mechanical skills they can turn into a real -expensive- nightmare.

Unless you have a bike mechanic friend, you are at the mercy of the mechanics at the dealership. As LionLady mentioned, many dealerships won't even work on a bike that old, forcing you to go out and find an indy shop that will...

Many shops charge upwards of $50 an hour any more, and if they have to fix a transmission problem, you are looking at -minimum- one full day of labor, if the mechanic's any good, and familiar w/ that model bike...