mechanics school

[weaselnoze]

ok so ive decided that i have no future. im 20 yrs old with a highschool diploma and i've been out of school for awhile.  i could make it through college with no problem im sure yet i have pretty much zero ambition to do so.  

lately i've been thinking about mechanics school.  motorcycles specifically.  maybe im just infatuated by it at teh moment, maybe not.  all my life i've loved to tinker with things and always have been a DIYer.  i've owned 2 cars and now a motorcycle and never have paid for service on any of them.  i do every service/repair that i can as long as i have the opportunity.  

cars dont really interest me a whole lot as far as mechanical stuff however i've really enjoyed wrenching on my bike.  probably more so than riding it (and i love riding).  i've picked up a dirtbike that needs a complete rebuild just as a project for fun.  i've learned a hell of a lot from just working on my own bike/cars and continue to learn more with research.  

as time goes on i feel like im headed no where in life due to my lack of proper education.  i want to go to school. omg did i just say that??  not college, at this point, but maybe mechanics school?  i know next to nothing about the process of becoming a professional mechanic.  if you are or know someone who is a bike mechanic, i would appreciate any advice you have to give.

[cernunos]

My advice would be, before you go to a school go apply for a job at a shop somewhere (just keep going to bike shops) until you find a job...just a job in the shop doing odds and ends (heh), gophering, helping out etc. Working as a full-time mechanic is not easy. It's long hours, dirty, thankless, and unless you get to be REAL good, it doesn't pay that well (at least it didn't used to anyway). I worked for years as a mechanic until I got fed up and went to college and got degreed in engineering. There can be more schooling involved on an annual basis as a mech than being a Doctor in order to keep up with the changes involved. You can check out MMI, I think they are located in a lot of places. Good luck with it whatever you do. Love the little GS, Florida (Keys are nice), and this forum.

C.......

[crash]

would be pretty cool to work at a custom bike shop, building bikes from scratch

[GeeP]

I think that working in a shop is an excellent idea.  Even if you do decide later on down the road that you would like to pursue engineering or some other related profession.  The experience you gain is invaluable in my opinion.  I know a guy who has a masters in engineering, and can't change a sparkplug.  I've seen his work, and it doesn't impress me.

One route you might go is to apprentice as an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic.  (Aircraft mechanic)  It is a minimum 30 month apprenticeship, and you will learn significantly more than just how to wrench.  When you're done you will have met the experience requirements and should have the knowledge necessary to pass the tests.

The A&P license is a federal license.  It conveys the privilage to return to service *anything* that flies.  It is on par with the ATP (Airline Transport Pilot rating), but conveys more responsibility.  It signifies to anyone who sees it, especially those who have earned it, that you are a responsible and capable mechanic.

The reason why I suggest this course is partly because it's what I've done, and I think that your plans may be in line with mine.   I earned the license because I wanted to learn as much as possible about the maintenance of aircraft, with the plan to go to college later.  I also wanted something to fall back on if things didn't work out.

I recall seeing a figure in AMT  (Aircraft Maintenance Technology) that less than 25% of A&P's end up working in aviation.  Many industries require people with the same skills needed to keep aircraft flying.  I have an aquaintance who is a turbomachinery machinist at the local powerplant.  They hired him as soon as he pulled out his license.

In addition to all of the above, it looks good on a college application.  Plus, it beats the heck of working your butt of at McD's for spending money.  

Check this link if you're interested:  http://www.faa.gov/fsdo/phl/howto.htm

If you're interested, or have any questions, PM me.  I earned my license several years ago.  I can honestly say that it's helped me more than a college diploma.

[scratch]

I'll second Geep's suggestion because I went to mehcanics school (<-see I couldn't spell 'mechanincs' correctly)(AMI, Daytona Beach, FL; and got a grant to do it) and when I was done, I was hired and made minimum wage. I enjoyed what I did, but there was no money in it, and it was true, when I was done for the day I didn't feel like working on my own bikes.

If you want a really fast and free education, join the military, I joined the Navy and was going to be a nuclear technician, I coulda gotten out in 6 years and started making $60k a year (that was good money in '91), and for aircraft maintenance you could go either Airforce (most assuredly) or Navy (you may get stuck on a carrier though, unless you mech helicopters then you may get worse (or better, depending on how you look at it (large crew/strangers or small close-knit community))...a destroyer, or even a frigate!) and I think Marines, too.

[cozy]

Ferracci in Willow Grove is hirin'. That's like a half an hour down the pike for you, right?
These guys are all right. Try it out while you're young. Then when you're sick of low wages and repititious work you'll be more motivated to upgrade your education. Making a decent living long term without a college degree is getting harder and harder. You'll find something you really like sooner or later, and if its wrenching, get a B.A. in business and you'll go further with it when your back or your joints say f8.

[weaselnoze]

thanks for the suggestions guys!  a lot of useful info that i will keep in mind.  im going to do more research and i'll let you all know what direction i go.

[davipu]

yeah, join the marines, there's a great idea.  

[indestructibleman]

i'd suggest asking at this forum:
http://forums.about.com/ab-motorcycles6/start

there are several pro mechanics there, including the host who is a certified honda master mechanic.

he's previously had some advice for people on what he knows to be good schools.


cheers,
will