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Mar 17, 2006 | 01:37 AM

mechanix1

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Stage IV

Joined: Mar 2006

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Need input

New member here , I currently teach Harley Technicians and not going to renew my contract next year. So... I'm planning on setting up a weekend motorcycle (harley specific) mechanic class, limited to 12 people per class, students would work on thier own bike. I'd provide air lifts, speciality tools, service manuals, generaly hand tools, meals and etc. I was going to offer a few different classes, one for doing sercive on thier bike 1K, 5K, 10K and etc. Another class would be tear down, blue print and reassembly of a big twin engine and finally a short evening class with just some general motorcycle maintance topics.
Thanks for any constuctive input you could provide.
bill

Mar 17, 2006 | 02:02 AM

SPRINGER

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 68,021

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From:

RE: Need input

Sounds like a good idea. I have heard of many people that would like to work on their own bikes to save money and learn more about their Harleys. I feel that a person's bike would mean more to them if they could do the work themselves. Good luck on your idea.

Mar 17, 2006 | 02:08 AM

vernh59

Supporter

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 1,366

Likes: 11

From: Ozark, AL

RE: Need input

Sounds like a good idea. Where are you going to be? Would you include performance upgrades? Our bikes or yours?

Mar 17, 2006 | 11:53 AM

solorider

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 3,475

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From: Southeast Wisconsin

RE: Need input

Sounds like an excellent idea and if I were in your area I would sign up for sure. I say go for it and let us know how it works out for you.

BTW, someone who used to teach Harley specific technicians is a great addition to this site in my opinion. I hope you stick around and offer your mechanical advice to the membership.

Mar 17, 2006 | 12:01 PM

fxstcguy98

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 1,192

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From: Columbus, OH

RE: Need input

It sucks that the world has come to this, but I would check into getting liability insurance in case someone hurts themselves and blames you for their incompitance.

Mar 17, 2006 | 01:10 PM

kpreese

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 591

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From: Land O'Lakes, FL

RE: Need input

Here's my "vision" for where you could extend this . . . . . I'm not sure if there is a big enough market for this kind of thing and you'd need several work areas. But I think it'd be cool at least as a part time thing, to run basic classes in the evenings and then offer exclusively for the graduates a "big bore night" or "cam swap night" where you could help 4 or 5 people do the more complicated jobs simultaneously on their own bikes. They're saving money providing their own grunt, and of course they are learning, but they have access to your expertise and tools. You'd still be able to save them money while at the same time earning a good amount per hour.

You could potentially get involved in the parts area here and obtain what they need at wholesale and again save them a little and profit a little. That way, when they come in, all the parts are ready to go since you know better what they need to complete the job.

Like I said, perhaps not practical since you'd need several work areas and several sets of tools and maybe the market isn't big enough. If you already have a shop, then it could very well be practical. I don't know about it every being a full-time job, but it sounds like a great way to supplement your income and develop a customer base, make friends, etc. After a while of running the classes, I could see you filling the pipeline enough to do quarterly cam swap nights, etc. When they come in for the basic classes, you could give them a calendar of special programs, sign them up for a newletter, etc. If you could get people to show up for the classes, I would be surprised if you couldn't get a significant percentage to sign up for some supervised help doing performance work sometime in the future.

Of course, only an attorney can tell you if there is a way to truly protect yourself and/or insure yourself for this kind of thing. Unfortunately, that's the world we live in these days.
Kevin

Mar 17, 2006 | 03:21 PM

mechanix1

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: Mar 2006

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RE: Need input

Thanks for the great ideas and comments. I was planning on having them work on thier bikes, groups of two people per lift, each person would work on their bike and thier partners bike so to be exposed to two different models. More input , suggestions, ideas needed. I want options from all aspects. I've even thought of offer a womans only class, seems to be a lot more woman riders every year.
Thanks
Bill