Harvard Russian and Chinese studies experts disagreed yesterday on the significance of and the motives for Soviet leader Leonid Brezhney's overtures Wednesday to Chinese leaders.

In a speech Wednesday, Brezhney called for a restoration of ties between the two countries, adding that the Soviets would be willing to resume negotiations over border disputes.

Relations between Russia and China have been hostile for two decades and worsened after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, when the two countries suspended the border negotiations.

Citing arms sales to Taiwan and Russian domestic problems among the reasons for Brezhnev's move. Marshall Goldman, associate director of the Russian Research Center, said yesterday he was "skeptical" that the Chinese would react enthusiastically to the proposal.

He added, however, that it would he "worthwhile" for the Chinese to have some relaxation from carrent tensions "without going back to the bear-hugging days of the 1950s."

Adam B. Ulam, Gurney professor of History and Political Science, said the overture was one more step in an attempt by Russia to patch things up with China" that has been going on for a long time. He discounted the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan as a factor in Brezhney's action.

Taking the opposite position visiting Pro lessor of Government Roderick I. Macharquhar said yesterday that he expected China "to be prepared to agree to negotiate on a limited basis."

"They will respond cooly and correctly, with no undue haste," he predicted, because "they don't want to seem flighty" to the United States by "dashing off and jumping at Brezhnev's offer."

Both MacFarquhar and John K. Fairbank professor of history emeritus, agreed with Goldman that the arms sales to Taiwan were a motivating factor in Brezhnev's statements.

Fairbank said yesterday that he had "no idea what will happen as a result of the overture" but added, "if the two got together to negotiate it wouldn't be bad."

All the analysts agreed that there were many factors, including China's distrust of the Russians still prohibiting a Sino-Soviet reconciliation. "The Chinese distrust the Russians more than we do." Fairbank said.