Strip Down

Hi,
I've got an st70 from 1969.It doesn't seem to have too much rust,and has most of it's original parts.The seat foam and cover is pretty wrecked,and it really needs a big cleanup. I'd like to restore it to usable condition,keeping the original paint(which is in ok condition)and features.I have limited mechanical knowledge and would like to know if there's a best order for pulling the bike apart.I know someone who can work on the engine once I get it out.If anyone can help or point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.Also can anyone recommend a good service manual,are the Clymer ones any good?
Thanks

The drawings on cmsnl.com will help you big time.
Stripping down sequence is a matter of how far you want to go.
But it's a very simple bike, so it doesn't really matter which parts you remove first.

Thanks a lot.I'll give it a crack and see how I go!

When I'm working on my other bikes I take LOTS OF PHOTOS as I strip the bike/parts down. Shows you where it came from and maybe give you clues where that bit goes back.
Personally I always preferred the "Hanes" manuals, but "Clymer" are very good manuals. Check on line for a factory manual (if such a thing exists)
But as with any mechanical work. KEEP IT CLEAN. if you pull it apart, covered in "s ", leave it lying arround the workshp covered in "s ", assemble it covered in "S ", your bike will end up a piece of "s ".
Make a clean work space. clean the overall bike, then pull it apart. Clean parts as they come off. Check each part for obvious damage. then oil it (if required) and store it somewhere clean, and safe. Till you need it for reassembly. Nothing worse than finding you've lost a vital part as you assemble your baby, because you left it on the bench behind a pint of lager and now its fallen off the bench and the cat ate it?. so everything comes to a halt as you find a replacement. Other than "mechanic 101" stuff these bike should be easy to work on. Just their age and misuse will be your enemy.
Anyone can rebuild a motor. just some people can do it better, because they do things right the first time(mostly) You'll never know if you can untill you have a go. And the worse you can do is ??? Good luck (this message will self distruct...etc)

Thanks a lot for that advice.I have been taking lots of photos and looking at other strip down stories and photos on this site.I'm a musician and I've restored quite a few Bass guitars from the 60's,and my take has always been to keep original finishes and parts where possible.The paint on my st70 is not spotless,but it's real and that's what I like.There seems to be one fixed weld where the downswept exhaust attaches to the frame but apart from that it seems pretty good.It does have funny handle bars that come very close together,is that normal? I'll check out the Hanes manual.

You won't find a Haynes for the ST but the C50/70 one will tell you all you need to know about the engine and as already stated, the parts lists show you how it all goes together.