Best place to learn 'cycle repair?

Okay, long story short, I got laid off from my IT job in Feb. this year. I've been going to school for screenwriting, and have one semester left before I graduate in December. My ultimate goal is to end up in LA writing for series television.

Now, come to find out I qualify for the Fed gov't's TRA/TAA program. What that boils down to is, they'll pay for me to get a degree or certification in the field that I REALLY want a career in.

This means I have a choice to make. I can:

1 - let them pay for the last semester (6 credits) of my bachelor's degree. Total cost: About $4000. Downside: Seems pretty cheap, considering I've already paid for six years of the dang thing myself.

2 - Pay for my bachelor's myself, and have the gov't pay for my Master's in screenwriting. Total cost: About $30,000. Downside: Would have to move to either LA or Chicago, dragging the family with me, and work full-time to support them while attending classes full time for two years. After all that, an MFA isn't any more likely to make my stuff sell than my bachelor's.

3 - Pay for my bachelor's myself, and have the gov't pay to train me to fix motorcycles. Total cost: Probably under $10,000. Upside: It would give me a universally marketable skill that can't be sent overseas to India that I could use to support my family, even in LA, while trying to break into Hollywood. Plus, I'd get damn good at fixing my own bike.

You can probably tell which option I'd rather pick. Here's my problem - none of the area tech schools offer a course in motorcycle tech. The closest they come are technical degrees as an automotive technician and automotive maintenance technician, with some classes on small-engine repair.

So here's my question, if anyone can answer it - if I want to specifically work on motorcycles, will taking a live, hands-on, nine-month course of study on automotive mechanics give me the skills that I need? I appreciate anyone's input on this.

 

I'm looking at this approach like baseball

auto school will teach you to throw a fast ball in the strike zone- but motorcycle school will teach you how to throw curve balls, knuckle balls, and sliders- plus it will give you a piece of paper that says you know how to do so - does that paper mean anything? not really, i'd trust my bike in the hads of big fitz, or TimetoRide and wizard n RickcoMatic, and numerous other members than some tard at a stealership, the paper is what gets them to come to you- your service is what keeps them coming back...

If you're looking at this as a break from writing- and wanting to work on bikes- go to a bike school- fixing cars at home can be a big ordeal- its a big lump to have sitting around and you never know what could be wrong on it, bikes are small with an ope engine...

idk- i'm just a kid offering my opinion


sidenote- I hope you have fun with the screen writing- I wanted to do something similar, theres nothing like writing a good piece of fiction, though i looked into the career outlook- not so good.

 

As a semi-recent college graduate, I can give a little input.

There are advantages to focusing on one topic (motorcycles) and disadvantages.
That focus will make you pretty darn good at what you want to do, but may make it harder to find work because not every place wants/needs that kind of specialist. Also that focus may require some relocation to get the training. Getting a general education in mechanical shenanigans will give you more options for employment because you know a broader spectrum of things, but you're not amazing at any of them. Also general educations are usually easier to get and will likely not require relocation.

My schooling was very generalist. Jack of all trades, master of none. I've yet to find work a year out of college. I can't tell you that those who had more focused schooling got the jobs, but it sure freakin feels that way.

Best of luck, bro.

 

My 2c -- If the government will pay for a fall-back job, like small engine or motorcycle repair, I'd go that route.

In my experience, for any artist, a piece of paper saying you took courses on what to do isn't what gets you the job. What gets you the job is a banging portfolio. (Of scripts, in your case )

So get the 'fallback' degree, for that time when you're building the ultimate portfolio; you'll have the opportunity to support your family while still pursuing your passions -- and that'll carry over to weekend-warrior once you start writing the next great TV show.

 

Thanks for the advice, guys. Alchai, that's pretty much what I was thinking; I just really want to make sure what I learn can be applied to cycles, because that's what I really want to work on. If I learn cars along the way, that's fine, as long as the stuff I learn applies to bikes as well.

 

I don't know anything about the motorcycle curriculum you'll be learning on, but I have to assume it will be infinitely more useful than the Masters in Screenwriting curricula will be, depending on where you're going of course. I'm a DP, not a screenwriter, so take it with a grain of salt, but getting your Masters isn't going to put that breakthrough idea in your head(which is all you really need in Hollywood). Go with #3 barring any other extraneous info I don't have.

 

Hey Shannon
I too have been giving the motorcycle mechanic gig some thought. For me though, I'm 53 and the plant I worked at for 17 yrs. closed and moved to Mexico last year, so not a lot of prospects for employment regardless of skills. The fact is I'm 53 and even though discrimination on age is (supposed to be) illegal, all they have to do is look at when I graduated on my high school transcript (required for all applications I've seen) do the math and.......
So I'm thinking motorcycle mechanic. Worst case scenario, I work out of my own garage by offering services at about half what a regular bike shop charges for labour. Around here it's @ 75-95 bucks an hour, for me, I could probably get by on 10-15 hrs a week @ 40 bucks an hour, and I'd be doing what I'm passionate about.

 

Thanks for all the advice, folks. General consensus (among my professors and friends in the industry, as well) agrees with Alchai and Filmmakr - unless I want to pursue teaching, the MFA won't do me a whole lot of good.

So I'm looking between options 1 and 3, now, pending info from the program director. See, one of the deals is, after the education program is done, they'll pay travel expenses for interviews and the like, as well as moving expenses when I get the job. If they'll let me train for engine repair AND still "interview" for writing positions, then I'll go that route. On the other hand, if they'll only let me use those travel reimbursements for engine repair jobs, then I'll probably have them finish the last semester of my BA - after all, free flights to and from LA, with hotel included, is nothing to sneeze at...

 

did you ever consider a air frame/power plant mechanic, if your qualified to work on airplanes, motorcycles should be no problem
the fringes would be a touch better too, wouldn't you rather be a do it right guy than a get it done guy

 

Polock,
Do you have your AP? I worked as an Air frame Mech(read C130 crew chief) with the Airforce Reserves for quite a few years. I never got my AP because the guys that had weren't making much money at it. Long hours, BIG responsibility and the benefits weren't that great. This does not reflect the work to be had with the major airlines, just the local GA gigs. Thats not to say that is not a great job. Just not the money maker some would expect it to be.

Shannon,
Have you looked at something like MMI? I realise that you would have to temporarily relocate. But would your un-employment benefits hold out to keep you afloat for the duration of the school?

 

who me, heck no but i did stay at a holiday inn express once

 

Polock,
Wasn't trying to call you out or anything. Just curious to see if I just had bad examples to go from.

Shannon,
I am very interested to hear what you decide to do. I have not had a chance to read your screenplay yet but do have it saved and will be auctioning it to the highest bidder when you "Get Famous"! :lol:

 

My 2cents: I've got the GI Bill for whenever I get outta the USAF, and tuition assistance while I'm in. I plan to have a small engine/motorcycle repair shop when I get out, so I'm using TA to pay for a motorcycle repair technician course now, while I'm in. Most of what the course is covering is old info to me, but I'm still learning a few things and I'll have that piece of paper at the end. When I get out I'm using the GI Bill to finish up my mechanical engineering degree. I figure one way or another I'll be able to put food on the table.

 

Here's the reality though (at least in Michigan, and I bet Ontario is similar):

- It's a crime to work on motor vehicles for money from an unlicensed facility.

- Cannot obtain license unless there is at least one licensed mechanic on staff. Mechanics license numbers required on the facility license application.

- Cannot obtain a license for a facility that is not zoned as motor vehicle repair by the municipality. That ruled out my garage.

- Of course you really should have insurance. Otherwise the wife/mother of that kid that wraps his crotch rocket around a pole will own your house. Imagine the fun their attorneys will have pointing out to the jury that you work out of your unlicensed garage.

- I had to get a licensed waste hauler to remove the antifreeze and used oil. Can't haul it myself because I'm not a licensed waste hauler.

- Of course I needed a sales tax license.

In London your season is probably six months long, just like Detroit. That's total labor charges of $15,588 (at $40/hour). Not much left of that after the expenses (see above) are paid. Of course you will make a little (not much) on parts and you will probably get an occasional snow blower the other six months. You'll also probably need to spend some money on equipment and inventory (spark plugs, oil filters) to start. It'll also take awhile to build a clientele (my experience is paid advertising is a waste of money).

To top it off, you'll need to work closer to 30 hours to bill 15. You can't bill for answering the phone, doing paperwork, looking up and ordering parts, going to the bank etc.

I'm not trying to talk anyone out of doing this, but you need to have your eyes wide open. This is my 3rd year, I might get to draw my first (tiny) paycheck and I charge $60/hour.

 

Thanks again for the advice and info, folks - still waiting on the plan information. If I do go with the repair route, I wouldn't be looking to start my own repair shop; I'd probably start by looking for positions at established repair positions.

@luvmy40, I've got an updated version if you'd like that instead. Just let me know!

 

All good info and very valid points to take into consideration. Seems like the legalities are not too different between the two locales.
I'd still like the Gummint to pay me to get my bike repair licence though, at 53 there is not much open to me, believe me I've tried. I can't even remember the number of applications, resumes, cold calls I've made with the same result. They take either one look at me, or my high school transcripts (required on every application so far) do some quick math and figure "This F*****S too old to invest any training on! Age discrimination is SUPPOSED to be illegal, but how can you call them out on it? All they have to say is that "We felt he would not be a good fit for our organization"
Oh well, shit happens, you get old and die!
THE END!
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

When it comes to being a mechanic, the best route to go is heavy machinery such as tractors and stuff like that. My uncle is a tractor meachanic and does very well for himself and has two kids and is also a profficient mechanic with anything else mechanical. Also, if you wen the tractor route, you wouldnt have to move all the way to Cali. In fact, you could live basically anywhere in the US and find a job as a tractor mechanic. Regardless, do what you want with your life and to hell with the man. Just some food for thought

 

Great topic, it's something I've also been thinking about doing once I retire from the Fire Service in about 6 years... trouble is, the closest place that does the motorcycle tech gig is in Orlando. Can't drive 2-3 hrs per day each way and I'm sure as hell not staying up there all week and coming home on the weekends..

But the real question is, what makes a "certified" technician? I have long thought about this question and I have an answer, albeit it's my opinion so if I offend anyone, my apologies in advance.

I think service "technicians" stink. Most of them in many disciplines just plain stink. No other way to say it. I've worked in a Fire Apparatus dealership as a tech, and although we certainly did decent work, stuff I saw coming in from the factory -- where they have their "factory certified" people -- just plain sucked. I've had the same experiences at both car and motorcycle dealerships. The latest was with my Harley Ultra classic. I brought it into the dealer for an oil change. They left the used oil dripping from the bottom of the bike. I noticed it upon returning home and seeing the drips on my garage floor. I saw red.

I called the dealer and spoke to the assistant service manager. She said, they don't degrease the bikes unless I purchased the "full" service. I had 2/3rds of a full service done. But that doesn't matter in my mind. I told her, if ANY service is done, is it right to leave dripping used oil on the bike? She was sarcastic and "apologized" in her flippant manner. So, I wrote a letter to the General Manager and complained. That got their attention! Next time I'm in there, trust me, it'll be clean when I leave.

I'm tellin' that story just to illustrate that being a certified tech means CRAP. They told me that a certified tech had worked on my Harley. I told them, who cares. I'm not certified and I do WAY better work than they do. They didn't seem to like that.

What others have said is true, however -- you'll probably need that cert just to get into the door. Sad but true indeed. Because I have yet to run into a MC or Auto tech besides myself or my son-in-law who is worth a crap when it comes to quality service.

The different between a "technician" and a "mechanic" is vast, in my opinion. Tech's are parts changers; they diagnose, look at their computer screens and it'll tell them what part to change usually. Mechanics do all that too, but the difference is, a mechanic will either: a) make the part if they can't find it; b) tear it off another bike to make you happy; c) and paint the part to match your bike if required and; d) will CLEAN UP after him or herself.

But all these "stealerships" seem to want are parts changers. So that's why the market for parts in both automotive and other power sports is so strong (i.e. Discount Auto, Autozone, Pep-Boys, etc.); and it'll always be that way until the repair industry realizes that having a piece paper in hand only makes it possible to wile one's ass in a convenient fashion and doesn't mean the holder of that paper knows a piston ring from a washing machine...

 

In Michigan the State Certification requires you to pass a test that is Homer Simpson level.

 

If the GM had immediately gone out, grabbed the assistant service manager by the hair, dragged it across the shop floor, and wiped up any oil spills he saw with her head, I'll bet that:

a) she would never be flip and sarcastic with a customer again, and

b) the service "techs" might stop being flippant about the work they do, too, lest the impression get in their heads that next time, the GM will be wiping the oil up with their heads.


Short of that, you'll never get the message across to people such as mr. service tech. and ms. "Assistant Service Manager!", because after all, a customer---as we all know---is really a person who is an intrusion into their otherwise busy, beautiful lives.