Be very, very careful who does your work

[shrub]

What does "qualified" bike mechanic actually mean? How can you tell if someone is "qualified"?

To me it means they have completed a motorcycle mechanic's apprenticeship and passed all relevant exams. There is a big difference between being a car mechanic and a bike mechanic, and if you stuff things up on a bike it could be the life of the rider at stake.

[GOONR]

This is why if it is humanly possible, I'll do it myself.

And I always assume that if it's at all possible for somebody to fuck something up, then they will. If you start with that expectation, then when they actually get it right for once it's a pleasant surprise.

I work on the assume that if it's at all possible for ME to fuck something up, then then I will.

Luckily I have no tools to speak of and I trust my mechanic.

[davereid]

Being a member of the MTA binds a member to the MTAs rules, which includes protection of the public.

But there is no test to become an MTA member, you just pay your fees.

The Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers (IAME) full membership is only available to fully qualified mechanics, and they actually require proof of qualification, or the IAME exam must be passed.

IAME is active in NZ as well as Oz.

http://www.iame.com.au/index.html

[pete376403]

Bike mechanic, car mechanic, diesel mechanic (I'm in the last category, apprenticeship at GG&H and exams passed, cert is in the drawer) - any and all of them should perform work on any machinery to the proper required standard. It's no excuse to pass off sloppy workmanship on the grounds that "I'm a car/bike/lawnmower tech so not my fault if it's not quite right".
In the case of the head bearings - a bearing is a bearing and it either fits or it doesn't, "nearly" or "almost" isn't acceptable.

[AllanB]

It's no excuse to pass off sloppy workmanship on the grounds that "I'm a car/bike/lawnmower tech so not my fault if it's not quite right".
In the case of the head bearings - a bearing is a bearing and it either fits or it doesn't, "nearly" or "almost" isn't acceptable.

Well said.

I'd write this down and quote it at the small claims court.

[davereid]

"I'm a car/bike/lawnmower tech so not my fault if it's not quite right".

Good post.

You would have to ask why someone who could not do the job took it on without subcontracting the bits they could not do to someone who could...