Shopping for xs 400

This will be my first bike. Thought I found a 1980 special II ( whats special about it anyway) and was about to buy. Low miles, good shape but after years in garage, needs a carb clean to run. However , after a searching carb cleaning, I'm on the fence. I'm not a mechanic... Is there a guide to carb cleaning beginners ? Please advice. Hate to pass up this bike ( $525 on Craigslist) but might not have the ability to to do this. Sounds real complicated. Any suggestions?

Im new here as well, and im looking to get a XS400 for my first bike as well. There are many guides on here you can just search up on. Go to the XS400 Tech tab on the top of the page and there are a bunch of step by step guides! 525 sounds like a deal in my book, you probably want a more experienced member here though for some advice though

I think the deal won't happen. The Craigslist seller "don't got no title" doesn't know who the prior owner was or when the bike last ran. He gave me the VIN # , but local police or DMV won't give out any info. It seems that in CT, a bike older than 1981 does not require a title to register it, but do require an old registration and bill of sale from the prior owner.
The seller might be able to get a registration form by completing an "ownership affidavite" , but he first has to convince the DMV that the bike is his. Glad I didn't buy it until he resolves those issues...
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Thats a good move, you don't want to deal with administrative headaches. But back to your original concern, the fact of the matter is these are old bikes they often need more than "just a carb cleaning" to get them back up and running. Its nothing to be scared of, I was once right where you and any number of new members are right now, heck I didn't even know what my bike was when I bought it I just liked it because it was old.

They are easy to work on and troubleshoot if you are willing to put in the research time and learn how it works.

Get the manuals off the site search to find the questions already asked.

Good site for general knowledge:

http://www.dansmc.com/mc_repaircourse.htm

good read about carbs function and cleaning (ours are mikuni BS-34):

http://www.amckayltd.com/carbguide.pdf