I think maybe I ought to chime in here and add some clarification and explain the whole deal start to finish.
I took the safety course about 6-9 months ago with the intent of finding something this winter and working on it to get it ready for this spring/summer. That didn't happen. I didn't have time for anything this winter, so the motorcycle plans were put on the back burner. Shortly before I posted this thread I started looking. I realistically had an upper limit of about $1500 which wouldn't touch the household budget and would still leave me enough for good quality gear in the "man fund."
I looked at a few bikes and everything I saw in my price range was old, beat-up, tired, or laid down. Another factor in all this is my time. I work the overnight shift, my wife works days, we have a five year old and a two year old, we also have a rental property. See where I'm headed here? I didn't have time to drive around chasing every possible lead on a motorbike, and I needed to make the absolute best use of my available time. My goal was simple, find the nicest runner I could before the weather turned and everything got more expensive.
I mentioned that I was looking for a first bike to a friend/co-worker who is a long time motorcyclist. He knew another guy, who he had worked with before, that "has an older bike in his garage he said he wanted to sell." My friend gave his buddy my contact info. He emailed me and told the year, mileage, condition and his asking price. I asked my friend what his impression was of the bike as he had seen it in person. This was the point that I posted and asked for everyone's opinions.
I didn't agree with all the opinions that were posted, but the last thing I would do is argue with and disrespect the opinions of this community when I was the one seeking advice as a new motorcyclist.
A couple of people here and in the "meat world" helped me with some gear at a substantial discount. This is intended as a BIG thank you to
intakeexhaust for his most generous help. That let me stretch the budget to about 2 grand for the bike which was right about the price quoted from the seller.
The seller and I discussed it, and we were both in agreement that for his asking price, I would be buying a bike that is totally turn key. The fact that he had already been vetted by someone I know and trust who had seen it in person and knew the seller as a close friend were major factors. I wasn't interested in stories and unknown shady sellers on Craigslist. My experience with motorcycles is limited , and I didn't want to get caught buying something I would be working on instead of riding.
I personally like the styling of this particular Nighthawk. I know some guys have commented that they think it looks dated, but as a child of the '80s I don't have a personal problem riding a motorcycle that is reminiscint of Tom Cruise ala Top Gun.
I was waiting for a couple of weeks for the seller to call me and tell me it was ready to go. He finally did, and I met with him last Sunday at his shop. He's a heavy equipment mechanic by trade, and works as a mechanic for Boeing working on massive CNC mills that make wings and other aircraft parts. His shop was immaculate and very well organized. He told me to have a look at the bike and start it up when I was ready. I checked the engine which was cold. He noticed, and told me he hadn't started it at all so I could see how well it cold started. It fired right up. While it was warming, he handed me a stack of receipts dated the last two weeks. The items included a master cylinder rebuild kit, slave cylinder for the clutch, front caliper rebuild kits, new brake lines and fluid, front fork rebuild kit, oil and filters, gear oil for the shaft drive and so on. He "Fully Serviced" the bike before he called and told me it was ready.
So far I have taken it out the last three times the last couple of days and cruised around my neighborhood. I'm getting used to everything before I get out into traffic and get moving faster. I have yet to find anything that doesn't work right on it. I'm sure it's got nothing on a modern motorcycle. I know that it's capabilities are WAY beyond mine right now. It's easy to start, has been easy to ride and is a totally functional and working motorcycle I bought for $2100 from a known quantity. I felt like this was the best use of my money, and I have had a S-Eating grin on my mouth for three days. Maybe I will want something else in the future, but for now. I consider this mission accomplished. I'm riding, not wrenching, and that makes me happy in my soul!
