Working in the bike industry

[rok-the-boat]

I just quit my job as a teacher and am weighing up my options. What would it take for me to become a bike mechanic? As I understand, I would have to find a job, then do some kind of apprenticeship (I did an engineering related one years ago). I am also considering boats, rather than bikes. How does it all work?

Basically, I am no expert but have 'fiddled' with a lot of bikes over the years and can put anything together that I take apart.
And, what kind of salary do mechanics get? Am I wasting my time?

[Motu]

You'll be better paid and appreciated as a teacher,and have a lot more holidays.Then you'll get a thread all about what a useless mechanic you are by people who can't fix their own bike.There are few less thankful professions than a tradesman.

[SixPackBack]

Completing an apprenticeship will be the beginning of your learning experience. Competent Tradespeople require years of 'hands on' to be truly useful.

[rider 07]

Ive been doing a lot of looking into it as well. weltec offers a 2 year course in motorcycle mechanics. Ive seen a few jobs advertised and salary varies from $20,000 to $40,000 a year

[Brian d marge]

Boats would be a better option , as there is big money there ... bikes while fun wont feed the family

Also after a few years ,,changing tyres aint all its cracked up to be ... Set your sights higher ...do the MC course then go into Engineering ,, the experience comes from doing ,,so spend a little money on doing it ( buy a MX bike ora small rr bike , learn about it inside and out )

Design get parts made , stuff them up , do it again ,,learn ,,,

Hang on all that for 40 k ,,stuff that ...

Stephen

[Karma]

Ive been doing a lot of looking into it as well. weltec offers a 2 year course in motorcycle mechanics. Ive seen a few jobs advertised and salary varies from $20,000 to $40,000 a year

Bwhahaha

I'm a phone monkey at a major new zealand employer and I get 40k standard, and I don't even have to get my hands dirty!

[imdying]

I'm a phone monkey at a major new zealand employer and I get 40k standard, and I don't even have to get my hands dirty!

The difference is your job means you need your wages to buy mates, where as everyone wants a motorcycle mechanic for a friend

[Karma]

The difference is your job means you need your wages to buy mates, where as everyone wants a motorcycle mechanic for a friend

Got any problems with your phone lines?




You have now...

[moko]

When I was a kid I was mad on cars,spent all my money on mags,went to Brands Hatch club meetings most weekends,had pictures all over my wall.Got an apprenticeship and did the first 2 years,should have stuck it out and completed it because I was doing very,very well,on course to being the best qualified mechanic in the place in fact but by then was so hacked off I jacked it in,got a job in a local factory for 50% more than the foreman in the garage was earning.Got fed up with the job,once you know what you`re doing it all gets as repetitive as anything else,tools are very expensive and will batter your pay packet by a lot more than you probably think right now,live by your tools and nothing but the best is good enough,anything else will break or wear out very quickly.I got fed up taking money from customers who`d paid for 2 skilled mechanics to work for 5 hours on their cars when me and the other apprentice has whipped through the work in 3,plus they were geting stuffed on oil and parts.Whole thing left me totally disillussioned to the extent that I never even took my car test and have never owned a car.Bike shops aren`t a lot different,guy who services mine left our local 3 branch multi-franchise dealership because they wouldn`t let him do his job,they got 2 hours to do a service and whatever happened the bike had to be out of the workshop and the next one wheeled in to avoid getting pulled into the office,who`d blame the mechs if an irate customer complained his bike still rattled despite paying for the valves to be checked or whatever.The motor industry is full of sharks no matter how many wheels,the handful of good bike shops here have waiting lists,one guy of 3 months,the cowboys can always book you in within a few days but unless you cant manage an oil-change and a wipe over with a damp rag yourself you`re better off not bothering with them.You can make money working for yourself but from what I`ve seen locally you`ll need to get yourself a good rep while working for someone else first,which too often can be an eye-opening experience you`d rather not have had.If you think you`re good enough how about buying cheap bikes,doing them up and selling them on at a profit,you can do it in your spare time while you do something else to pay the bills and if it takes off expand from there,you`ll be earning,learning and more importantly getting yourself known and testing the water.

[Finn]

Completing an apprenticeship will be the beginning of your learning experience. Competent Tradespeople require years of 'hands on' to be truly useful.

I wish the bike shops new this.

[imdying]

Got any problems with your phone lines?




You have now...

Oh I'm sorry, I thought you worked for Telecom, not Telstra

[Karma]

Oh I'm sorry, I thought you worked for Telecom, not Telstra

My powers are many

[imdying]

My powers are many

Who do you think writes the software that gives you that power

[SixPackBack]

Ive been doing a lot of looking into it as well. weltec offers a 2 year course in motorcycle mechanics. Ive seen a few jobs advertised and salary varies from $20,000 to $40,000 a year

Peanuts....good ones can earn a good deal more.

[rok-the-boat]

Hey, to get thru university I bought 'failed' cars, got them thru their MOT (UK Wof), and sold them on at a small profit. Never had to do a lot to them - was careful about what I bought - but I can do whatever needs to be done, just might take a little time. Was a regular at the scrap yards in those days. Bikes are far easier, and as someone above pointed out, boats may be the way to go. I love fiddling with engines, and I wouldn't let a bike shop near mine.

I got 40K as a teacher but it was in a private school with a mad-as-a-hatter totally corrupt Asian boss with NO HOLIDAYS. I will also look into martial arts teaching as I have done that for 25+ years but bikes are still attracting my attention as they are just so much fun. I have never ripped anyone off and never will so would probably do quite well. I have rebuilt a few already.