Getting a foot in the door for the world of motorcycles (jobs!)

[zeocen]

Hi!

Pretty much what the topic says, after being fascinated by bikes at a young age and finally deciding to get one at the ripe age of 24 I've pretty much decided it's become more than a hobby, rather a passion/obsession (that's okay, right? ...guys?) and having no mechanical history other than putting some bits and pieces on my bike as they fall off, I was wondering just how hard it was to get my foot in the door for working on motorcycles?

Not sure if this is the appropriate forum, or even an appropriate thread - so sorry in advance if this is the case. It's just that I'm "in between" jobs at the moment and this has always been in the back of my mind, scratching its claws at the door, getting louder and louder as the years tick by :P

Hell, I would even wash motorcycles for a living it's that fun to be around them!

[jade]

Im sort of in the same boat as you, obsessed I guess - 4 years into my boatbuilding apprentiship which allows me to paint my own shit and make my own fairings...
I wouldnt mind being a mechanic tho - be alot better for my health

[zeocen]

I'd love to paint etc, but again.. not knowing where to go to start and all that.

[Jeaves]

i would start with an automotive "trade cert" course at your local polytec .

just a quick search http://www.boppoly.ac.nz/go/programm...ician-level-3/

then see if you can get one of your local bike shops to take you on as an apprentice.

[mynameis]

This is the shit you'd need to do :

http://www.weltec.ac.nz/automotive/1mc.php

Ever wondered how much the poor bastards get paid in NZ.

Um I wouldn't do it!

[degrom]

This is the shit you'd need to do :

http://www.weltec.ac.nz/automotive/1mc.php

Ever wondered how much the poor bastards get paid in NZ.

Um I wouldn't do it!

How mush would that exactly be?

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

What looking around as a helper hand at the various bike shops, not just on the machnical side but also in the accessories department, and actual bike sales...

It may not be exactly what you are after but its a foot in the door, and its not as if you are going door knocking as the people come to you so the are already wanting a bike or parts etc... (make it a lot easier than cold selling)

Then while you doing this do the trade cert stuff... killing two birds withthe one stone...

[sels1]

Ever wondered how much the poor bastards get paid in NZ.

Um I wouldn't do it!

Many wouldnt, but some people work in occupations because they love to do that type of work/be in that enviroment, regardless of what they are paid. Generally they are much happier people than those enslaved to the $!

[granma2]

Polytech is a good start.
A lot of bike shops will want you to have some mechanical knowledge or ability. The reason for this is if you make a stuff up,( like leaving a nut in the bottom end of a motor.) it doesnt cost them a lot of money. This can be as simple as restoring an old bike, repairing a kids bike or racing a bucket, classic, clubmans. motorcross etc. A lot of the old race bikes require constant maintenance and so you gain basic experience at your own cost...not the shops. The bikes dont cost heaps of dollars and most info can be found on the net, library, fellow bike enthusiasts on how to do things.
My partner has built himself a bucket racer and finished first at the Road Race Spectacular in Taupo, end of Dec. He never ever thought he would be able to do it. With a little help from a friend and lots of research, he got to it. Took 3 months, but well worth it, as he learnt so much. Now he wants a 250cc or 400cc to fix up.
Take walk around some of the local bike shops and see what they require.
Never give up on your dream though, because it is always possible.
Good luck.

[jeremysprite]

I've been thinking of taking this dream one step further - opening my own store.
(zeocen do you mind if I hijack your thread)
Any managers/owners of bikeshops out there?

[zeocen]

Hijack away, but you have to hire me when you open!

[degrom]

I think the best place to start is your own bike. If you have mastered most of the basic skills move onto more advanced stuff. Always be the person that asks what and why a thing works like that. (Take a GN apart and you will know plenty,put it back together and you have the job!!!)

There is no better way of learning thing than to do them.

[degrom]

Yes... Almost forgot!!!

Best way to learn is to share your knowledge. You never know what you might learn from a biginer that has the same passion as you about the bike!!!

[Brian d marge]

Polytech is a good start.
A lot of bike shops will want you to have some mechanical knowledge or ability. The reason for this is if you make a stuff up,( like leaving a nut in the bottom end of a motor.) it doesnt cost them a lot of money. This can be as simple as restoring an old bike, repairing a kids bike or racing a bucket, classic, clubmans. motorcross etc. A lot of the old race bikes require constant maintenance and so you gain basic experience at your own cost...not the shops. The bikes dont cost heaps of dollars and most info can be found on the net, library, fellow bike enthusiasts on how to do things.
.

I would add to that NZCE is a very good course , showing you how stuff works ..HOW/WHY they doo stuff

While you wont work on the latest /any bikes ..YOU WILL know why the factory use this material /part etc and IF in future years you are tired of working on bike ,,,AND YOU WILL ... you can still use that higher knowledge

IN the mean time buy as was said ( a older race bike - that still is aplicable to todays market ....)

Such as a cbr400 .600 cr 250 usd forks ... etc

then Just do it

pull shocks apart ,, put them back together .. untill you can do them easily ...

The certificates will get u in the do ... good work ethics and experience will keep u inside

Stephen

wishing he had chosen computers or flower arranging ...anything but bikes !!!!

[Lou Girardin]

Don't worry about working with bikes.
Get qualified, get a good job, make lots of money, and then play with all the bikes you want.