Motorcycle Mechanic Certification
Cruiser
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 118
Likes: 55
From: Ont.ca
Burning gas and making things loud
Every kid who ever went into auto mechanics thought they were going to do the same(work on race cars/bikes) but in reality most spend their days doing crappy jobs like tires and oil changes.Then maybe a dirty brake job thrown in etc......
Every kid who ever went into auto mechanics thought they were going to do the same(work on race cars/bikes) but in reality most spend their days doing crappy jobs like tires and oil changes.Then maybe a dirty brake job thrown in etc......
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 759
Likes: 936
From: Under the affluence of incahol.
Being a Harley mechanic is one of those "passion" careers where employers take full advantage, and more, of the fact that lots of young people see it as a glamorous lifestyle and are prepared to do it for cr@p wages because they love doing it. Shops know that if you don't like working there for $20 an hour, there is a new crop of MMI graduates fighting to take your job at the end of every quarter.
The other thing is, with the ageing out of the Harley owner demographic, would it be a lifetime career? Or will there end up being a major oversupply of HD techs?
Another is that while building engines is fascinating stuff, many techs spend most of their time doing humdrum services, tire changes, changing handlebars (giant PITA with cables and hoses etc) and exhaust systems etc. The real interesting technical stuff is few and far between -- these new bikes just don't blow up often enough like the old ones did!
If you want to make better money swinging wrenches, and have longterm job security, look into aircraft mechanicing. I have a couple of buddies in that field and they make good money and love their work. They are the only guys I know still working on the wrenches in their later years. One of them started out as a certified motorcycle mechanic then got sick of the wages and the work and went back to school and did the aircraft course and never regretted it.
The other thing is, with the ageing out of the Harley owner demographic, would it be a lifetime career? Or will there end up being a major oversupply of HD techs?
Another is that while building engines is fascinating stuff, many techs spend most of their time doing humdrum services, tire changes, changing handlebars (giant PITA with cables and hoses etc) and exhaust systems etc. The real interesting technical stuff is few and far between -- these new bikes just don't blow up often enough like the old ones did!
If you want to make better money swinging wrenches, and have longterm job security, look into aircraft mechanicing. I have a couple of buddies in that field and they make good money and love their work. They are the only guys I know still working on the wrenches in their later years. One of them started out as a certified motorcycle mechanic then got sick of the wages and the work and went back to school and did the aircraft course and never regretted it.
Last edited by PeterB; Nov 1, 2023 at 05:13 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 575
Likes: 190
From: USA
Been there. Back in the day it was my passion to work on bikes, started with a Bultaco rebuild at the young age of 12. Jr High and High School the machine shop was my stomping ground. So off to work at a trade being a machinist (mold maker apprentice) after I graduated. After a year I saved enough to take me to Florida and spent a few months at AMI.
Long story short when I got back I worked at a dealership with the dream of building the best of the best but after 6 months of reality I went back to machining. Transitioned to learning CAD and computers at the local university (night school) and started a business on the side designing for the industry. Over time I made the jump from a steady income to a startup as a software reseller in the mechanical industry. Having the drive like you do is the key to success. Work hard and follow your path that will change in your lifetime.
I work on my bikes and still enjoy the hobby so the investment was justified. The direction of my carrier went on a different path and so will yours. Was it worth it, sure was...best time as a teenager in Daytona Beach where the drinking age was 18.
Long story short when I got back I worked at a dealership with the dream of building the best of the best but after 6 months of reality I went back to machining. Transitioned to learning CAD and computers at the local university (night school) and started a business on the side designing for the industry. Over time I made the jump from a steady income to a startup as a software reseller in the mechanical industry. Having the drive like you do is the key to success. Work hard and follow your path that will change in your lifetime.
I work on my bikes and still enjoy the hobby so the investment was justified. The direction of my carrier went on a different path and so will yours. Was it worth it, sure was...best time as a teenager in Daytona Beach where the drinking age was 18.
Update: I started as a Senior Tech (nod to my age/experience) at a national lube (giggity) and maintenance shop. I can get paid, pick-up experience and eventually certifications. From there, who knows. People at the shop seem pretty great and my boss is excellent. If these past 2 days are any indication, people really look like their cars. Can't believe I never noticed this phenomenon. It's uncanny.
Supporter
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 915
Likes: 837
From: Texas
I think I'd like to have a part time retirement job at a bike shop but I've got another 25 years to worry about that.
I figured out that automotive work wasn't for me when I had a job at a small shop in high-school. About a year after high-school I went to heavy duty trucks and now heavy equipment. I've been at a dealer for 15 years and certifications really don't mean anything here. How hard do you work and how profitable are you? You'll do fine if you mind your own business and let your work speak for itself.
I had one manager that was interested in us getting ASE certifications so he could put a sign on the front door. I got the diesel engine cert to make him happy and let it expire. The test was a joke and I felt like the whole thing was a scam.
I figured out that automotive work wasn't for me when I had a job at a small shop in high-school. About a year after high-school I went to heavy duty trucks and now heavy equipment. I've been at a dealer for 15 years and certifications really don't mean anything here. How hard do you work and how profitable are you? You'll do fine if you mind your own business and let your work speak for itself.
I had one manager that was interested in us getting ASE certifications so he could put a sign on the front door. I got the diesel engine cert to make him happy and let it expire. The test was a joke and I felt like the whole thing was a scam.
I'm in my second week and so far I love the job. I'm getting a crash course in finding my way around every type of vehicle in existence. I'm sure changing oil and slinging tires will get old, but right now it's a blast. Easily the most fulfilling work I've done in a long time. People are driving some real **** boxes out there and it's my job to get them back out on the road.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,434
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I'm in my second week and so far I love the job. I'm getting a crash course in finding my way around every type of vehicle in existence. I'm sure changing oil and slinging tires will get old, but right now it's a blast. Easily the most fulfilling work I've done in a long time. People are driving some real **** boxes out there and it's my job to get them back out on the road.
