Is this a bad idea?

[Soupskin]

New user here too! Just had to chime in. The nighthawk is hard bike to come by here (by Louisville Ky) at least as a low cost / needs some work bike. I'd say buy it if it looks like it will polish up. What you can learn and that first ride, because YOU fixed it, is priceless. Heck, I'm looking at one with a crankcase skylight for $300.

Welcome!

[coffee_brake]

I would totally wait for a running motorcycle! The last thing you need is for your only bike to have a dubious history and need work before you can even climb on.

You get what you pay for...and motorcycle prices are very, very low...but I would not want as my first/only bike any machine that does not start, shift and run very well before you buy it. Ugly is OK, unsound for an inexperienced owner is not.

[cmyers]

I would totally wait for a running motorcycle! The last thing you need is for your only bike to have a dubious history and need work before you can even climb on.

+1 !!!

for the proposed 1500 to 1700 dollars you might even be able to find a decent 90's model. I recently picked up a nice 93 model for less

[ktp1598]

It's true, for what you might wind up having in an older bike you could buy a newer one. But then we would eventually have no classic models to ogle. There's something to say about seeing a classic roll by in nearly new condition! Fix it!

[ariwhiteboy]

I'm kinda with the "Save and get a newer bike" crowd.  If this will be your first experience with tackling motorcycle maintenance you might want to start with something like basic upkeep, not complete rebuilds.  Problems on bikes that have been poorly maintained can add up quickly, been there doing that right now.  Yes there is something very satisfying about rescuing a bike from the brink, but there's also something very frustrating about disassembling something to fix a minor problem with parts that took a week to get here, only to find another problem that has been concealed by the PO...

[coffee_brake]

It is FAR better for a new rider to keep a nice bike nice, rather than bring a TLC project back to life.
Save the project for your second bike...have reliably running wheels first, even if you have to drop a few hundred more.

Decent bikes CAN be had for $1200 or less...I would not even go look at any bike that does not start right up and run in the seller's yard....

In a year from now, with some fun miles under your belt, go find your second bike and rescue it....

[ktp1598]

Good advice for the novice. I'm a little biased because I love to tinker.

[Naches]

My 85 650 is my second bike, after rebuilding a free-to-me 1974 Suzuki GT250 two stroke. I started knowing little about mechanic-ing and nothing about bikes.

I learned a lot. Rode the GT250 on a 1,000+ trip last summer.

Decided I wanted a four-stroke, and my butt said "You NEED something better than that Suzuki!" I also decided a shaft drive is a good thing for me.

I bought my NH for $500. It started and ran, but needs lots of TLC. 17k miles. Multiple owners before me.

I bought Kenda tires for about $120 a pair. Got them mounted for $20. Balanced them myself.

I've rebuilt most everything except the engine: carbs, electrics, brakes and lines, forks, bearings, rear end, etc. All using a Clymer + factory manual. AND the excellent advice, suggestions, found here.

I've spent about $500 so far, including those tires. (And luggage and a few other things.)

I'd be asking myself "Am I hurrying this?" If so, walk away.

"Do I want to spend a LOT of time wrenching?" I love doing it, it's therapeutic and a very different thing than my work, so it's refreshing. Usually. Most of the time. If you don't love to wrench, look for a different, in-better-shape, bike.

Meanwhile my Suzuki blew a cylinder: I'm not going to repair it. I'll try to sell it on Craig's List. Its demise is an incentive to get the NH going.

In July I'm riding the NH to Colorado (from Central Washington) and return via Yellowstone. Another incentive to finish the bike.

Not sure what my point is: what you want to do is doable. Anything is doable. But are you the one to do it? Only you can say.

I'd take anyone's advice, including mine, with at least a teaspoon's worth of salt. More than a grain, for sure.

Good luck. Go slow. Have fun.

[hppants]

In July I'm riding the NH to Colorado (from Central Washington) and return via Yellowstone.

Wow.  Envious doesn't do it justice.