I gotta keep my head in the books or else...

Everyone has given excellent counsel Schooter, I'll back them up.
I think you ought to finish what you started as it will give you an excellent background in working on bikes, who knows, you might start designing aftermarket parts and make a fortune.
I've chased the check too, put myself through night school to get an AS and BS in electronics engineering hoping to make more income but found it isn't what I enjoy early on. I've just started school for another degree in CAD so I can use those skills to make parts and help my company along. It hasn't brought me happiness but sure makes my resume pop with all the experience I have. My happiness is when I can look at any vehicle and have a clue on how to fix it. Independent capability is a wonderful thing. The advice I was given is "take the two things you love the most and make one your hobby". You will chase your career and get sick of some things pretty fast so don't spoil your "escape" by making it your daily grind.
Finish school and take the time to talk to Mom and Dad. They have years of experience at taking on life and facing challenges (they had you right?). They might be pleasantly surprised to hear you asking them for advice and admire your maturity in taking the time to seek them out. You could start it off with "Mom, Dad, you've done so well with your lives and have years of experience in thoughtful decision making. I've got a concern and would value your thoughts." It gets easier when you show some respect.

 

I'm with you - I am 'gulp' over 40, and just starting back to school to finish my BA. I wanted to go to law school, but you need a BA for that. Ever since I can remember, I wanted my own motorcycle shop. I started working there when I was 18 - the owner asked me if I wanted a job, because I was always in there for parts. I just got back into bikes, and would still like to OWN, not work at a shop. Right now, I do bookkeeping, taxes and sell real estate. Not much money, but the hours are flexible. I have learned that it's not what you do in college it's that little slip of paper they give you at the end that gives you the options.

 

Just my two cents. I'm 50, just got my associates of applied science through graphic design. I'm now disabled and can not stand or sit for very long. I love wrenching on my bike. Which my dad can not believe because I'm mechanically inept. But I love it, I love painting it, I love changing the fricken oil in it. I'll never be able to make a living at it but I don't really want to. I can not do anything but freelance with my graphic design job because I am un hireable. I do tatoo art for my wife, and she then tatoos ME!!! lol thats ok cuz I love making her happy, and she's good at it. Moral of the story is that things happen make the most of it and be happy with what ever you do. Don't do it for your parents do it for you. Your the one that has to look in the mirror to shave everyday.

 

Schooter: Motorcyces are great, but for a LIVING;;I don't know[probably get some angry dissenters]. Follow your heart and your MATURITY LEVEL---- always hard to judge [as in me to this day]. The girls and women can wait, they will ALWAYS be there. For your life you will need MONEY; to live and fun. ALWAYS trust your parents as they only have your best interests at heart! Friends are great-you need them,but they come and go[life]. I did school, [high school, college -4 years, university -1 year] then did "The Steel Co. thing]----- no thanks. Then worked in the "Nickel mines" as an Engineer--- Passsss,,,,,great coin just not for me, Then went to the "Police Dept." and good gov't job,,,,,but not for me.Then applied for "Fire Dept" and after 31years still there[retire soon]. Good job security, benefits, good pension, days off, help others[kinda like XJ Bikes site]. Best job in whole world--hell NO ,,don't know what is , but pays the bills and raised a family no worries----NEVER ONE MENTION OF LAYOFF OR SHUTDOWN in 35 years of Police or Fire dept. work. P.S. But it's not for everyone. I hope just "my opinion" doesn't get me kicked off the site, because I think your're all great and I was 20 years old yesterday.[metaphorically speaking].

 

Schoot' mon, first thing you have to get a trade, skill, or profession under your belt, so however you diversify in the future, you always have a standby, so you don't starve.
I don't care what others say, the buck in your pocket is your best friend, money gives you freedom of choice, where you work, where you live, in the bad times you have a cash buffer.
I took an apprenticeship as a carpenter & joiner & expanded those skills into contract management & property development, I put in the hard yards, which now gives me the time to 'play' motorbikes.
Whatever you do, give it 100% & always be prepared to listen to old farts, you'll be suprised what you can learn. Good luck, Wiz...........

 

I'd agree with Wiz...and engineering is a good profession. I'm about 7 years ahead of you. I got my bachelors in Aerospace Engineering from a prestigious Institute, then got an entry level engineering job right out of college for a defense contractor. I make a decent salary, work normal hours, get good benefits, and can support both my wife and I while she is continues school. My starting salary was probably close to what BOTH my parents made (hard working people)...and there is a lot of room for growth. While I don't care much for the final product that I work on (it isn't airplanes), I find joy in the little tasks, and learn to accept the dull ones to make the money I need for my projects. I don't kill myself for my career, but I also try to find ways to "tinker," and those skills can apply to both a hobby and a job. From my experience engineering is actually involves a lot of communication, working with people, negotiations, and documentation. So prepare for that...it's not like it is in the movies ;-)

My plan is to keep working on bikes as a hobby, and in a few decades, when the kids are grown up, retirement is looming, and money is good, I can take the risks and trying to open up a shop. Barring any health issues, I can't see myself ever not working, and working on bikes or small engines would be my dream.

Remember, all the TIME that you enjoy working on the bike is FREE. Once it's a career, that same TIME is MONEY. MONEY someone else has to pay, which is a pressure you don't have with a hobby. I'd say if you are capable of doing engineering, find ways to keep it interesting and always long for those hours at home with your hobby.

 

you have to make the decision at some point. You either make the big money to live the life you want, or you settle for less money doing something you enjoy.

My advise is to never make your avocation your vocation. After a certain point, you will enjoy neither of them.

Get an education. Go live the college scene, its a life experience. It pays off in more ways than just a degree.

I have a degree in Finance and drive truck for a race production company. I live in a town filled with mountain bike mechanics that have masters degrees. The Girl who takes my order at the local burger joint graduated from Harvard. My girlfriend went to Stanford and now she works for $50 a day, room, and board for outward bound. My fabricator was an aerospace engineer, now he owns several Unimogs and runs a guide service. We never know where we will end up.

Its always nice to have more than a few bucks in your pocket, but its also nice to leave work every day and not have to think about it until you show up the next day. There is no magic answer to your dilemma. Hindsight is always 20/20 and you won't really know if you have made a good decision until you have made a few bad ones.
Get an education, always give yourself the opportunity succeed. Do everything to the best of your ability. And remember, you are young, you have plenty of time.
BTW my sister is a Mech Eng, she doesn't work in an office. Her work outfit consists of steel toes and cover alls. She also makes at least 4 times as much as I do.

 

And young Rollie was a hell of a racer in his day too. that also makes you many connections and many friends.