Working in the bike industry

**Motu** · 29th January 2007, 17:32

Customer expectations are high,and as we regually see on KB,you dare not tell them their bike is old,worn out and not worth fixing...you just have to do it and charge very little.Some little 20 year 250 4 cyl that several owners have ''fixed'' themselves,but now appears to be running ''a little rough'',will keep you happy a whole 8 hour day....but don't try and charge that you rip off bastard,an hour and a half is all it should take.

**rok-the-boat** · 29th January 2007, 21:09

Originally Posted by Motu

Customer expectations are high,and as we regually see on KB,you dare not tell them their bike is old,worn out and not worth fixing...you just have to do it and charge very little.Some little 20 year 250 4 cyl that several owners have ''fixed'' themselves,but now appears to be running ''a little rough'',will keep you happy a whole 8 hour day....but don't try and charge that you rip off bastard,an hour and a half is all it should take.

Point taken, but I dare to tell the whole truth.

**Dodgyiti** · 30th January 2007, 16:44

Teacher or Motorcycle Mechanic?

Oh boy, you must really hate being a Teacher!

By the time you are qualified to be a bike mechanic, the bikes will be so complex electronically, it will only be brakes, tyres, lubes and WOF stuff unless you are trained in a dealership or done your electrical papers as well, and even then....

Enjoy your extended holidays man! Work on your own bike, or get a basket case to play with while your off work, do a night class.
And we are running low on Teachers.

**gav** · 30th January 2007, 19:19

And we are running low on Teachers.
Especially male teachers, most the schools down here are run and staffed by women. Not that thats a bad thing on its own, but I've a mate who's a male teacher and he chucked it in for awhile. He's since been tempted back and loves it, and he had a huge pick of job options too. Maybe you need to swap your school, rather than your job?

**Motu** · 30th January 2007, 19:23

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

By the time you are qualified to be a bike mechanic, the bikes will be so complex .

Too right - when I started my apprenticeship I was told it was pointless being a mechanic because we'd soon all be driving sucky blowy things.

**Pumba** · 30th January 2007, 19:41

Originally Posted by rok-the-boat

and as someone above pointed out, boats may be the way to go.

Im no expert but I have been on the fringe of the boat industry for a number of years though waterski racing and offshore power boat racing, as well as having a flat mate that has been trying to get a mehanics aprentiship (sp) for the last year and half.

If you are going to go into the boating industry go boat building, far more scope for employment,any boat mechanic shops that work on anything interesting are old boys clubs were you can only get ahead by knowing the right people, otherwise you will end up doing fitting up fishing boats for a living and trust ne that is not exciting.

o and you can kiss your Xmas holidays away for the rest of your working life as well, cause guess when everyone pulls there boat out of the shed for the first time in almost a year and wants every thing done now!!

**rok-the-boat** · 30th January 2007, 20:04

Hey thanks guys - it is all good advice.

**Motu** · 30th January 2007, 20:06

In our family you were either into boats or trucks,and of the 5 male cousins in our generation 3 became mechanics and one a sailmaker.Guess which one comes back home every couple of years and buys atleast half a dozen houses to get rid of some overseas money?

**Dodgyiti** · 30th January 2007, 20:18

Originally Posted by Motu

Too right - when I started my apprenticeship I was told it was pointless being a mechanic because we'd soon all be driving sucky blowy things.

Too true, most of the new cars either suck or blow, but not in the good way

**Drum** · 30th January 2007, 20:40

Rok-the-boat, your communication skills are too good to be a bike mechanic, and you don't seem bitter or prone to self pity either. Maybe you're not suited?

Why did you chuck in being a teacher?

**gijoe1313** · 30th January 2007, 21:45

As a fellow sado-masochist of the teaching profession I can respect you needing a "Sea change". How long did you go for before burn-out? I'm in a public school and while you have your moments and of course, your moment moments, I still love teaching with a passion. Try casting your net adrift into the bounty of positions that are wide open to you (ever thought of getting into primary school?)

You're a grown-up, you decide what you're going to do - just remember, it always helps to do something you really enjoy! (After all, who'd be a teacher!

)

**rok-the-boat** · 12th March 2007, 21:23

Well, I have given up on retraining to be a mechanic. I am now on a teacher training course to become a teacher (my overseas quals do not work here). Will be back in the classroom next year. Would still like to do something related to bikes though ...

**rok-the-boat** · 22nd November 2007, 13:15

Just to catch up on an old thread. I have now completed my teacher training and am looking for a job as a teacher. I have also been helping out at a local marina fixing outboards - my new direction, and quite interesting. And, I also enrolled on an evening workshop course (lathe/mill). Getting somewhere - but not sure where as yet ...

**Katman** · 22nd November 2007, 13:22

Originally Posted by Motu

Customer expectations are high,and as we regually see on KB,you dare not tell them their bike is old,worn out and not worth fixing...you just have to do it and charge very little.Some little 20 year 250 4 cyl that several owners have ''fixed'' themselves,but now appears to be running ''a little rough'',will keep you happy a whole 8 hour day....but don't try and charge that you rip off bastard,an hour and a half is all it should take.

Amen to that.