school me on 80's hondas

I'm going to go look at an 82 honda CM450E tomorrow for $300. The guy says he has a clear title, good body, and the motor turns over but will not start. He says he stopped driving it because the rear tire was bald. It's been sitting for two years and he just wants to get rid of it. The pictures look very clean. What should I look for? I don't know anything about bikes. How do i check to see if it does turn and is not frozen? Any info on these bikes inparticular? are they decent bikes or super lame? It's smaller but i want a bike for my wife and i to learn on.

will need a good battery or either remove plugs and put in second or third gear and push to roll bike and turn engine over. For 300. I would probably just gamble on him being honest and taking it home and soaking the cylinders before turn over, soak while you clean the carbs and crap readying the bike for count down, ignition and "go" time.
blown fork seals are a bummer because they will need replaced obviously, sometimes pricey to do correctly.
it all depends on how much you like the bike, over all miles shown on odometer (how much engine life left) and price to get it where your happy with it. I buy a lot of bikes for 300 or less. but, I do all of my own Powdercoating, engine machine work , fab etc...I'll show ya some pictures of the rebel chop we are doing when I get back to my camera at the office.

i plan to use this bike as an experiment in rat bikeology and also for my wife and to learn how to ride before we spend money on heavier nicer bikes. who knows, we may hate it. if thats the case i can always sell it. it looks pretty clean so i probably will just look at it and then give him the cash.

honda

Check for spark if not then clean the points that is most likely why it will not start

No points in that Honda..........electronic only. I have worked on a few of those, if it sat six months or more the carbs need to be cleaned. The pilot jet is the smallest and the first to clog, it also provides fuel on the start-up. Pull the jets and soak 'em in carb cleaner.
The very first thing I would do is charge the battery and drain the carbs(bad gas won't fire).....................good luck

someone bought it last night oh well, i just need to move quicker next time.