How to help a budding motorcycle mechanic

[Johnny_Swindle]

My wife and I are foster parents of a 16 year old girl is loves old cars and likes to tinker with them. She has shown an interest in the spyder and has asked if there is an apprenticeship/internship so if she really likes it she can pursue it as a career.

So.....my question is where to start?

Johnny

 

[PrairieSpyder]

Some ideas:

• Check out vi-tech schools in your area
• Do informational interviews of working motorcycle mechanics about how they were trained, what they like about the work, dislikes, etc.
• I'm not sure about motorcycle brands, but some high-end car brand dealers hire from specific schools, and getting into one of them is tantamount to getting a job for that brand
• If she isn't already involved in other mechanical efforts, like auto-shop class at high-school, she should start there. Much mechanical knowledge is transferable to other machines.

I wish her luck. Let us know how it goes.

 

[soaring hawk]

Tec schools

In minnesota there are a few power sport programs, it will give the basics then you can specialize to what brand. Jackson,mn tec college.

Gary:doorag:

 

[cptjam]

Class

Have her take shop, auto shop, small engine repair at the high school. Once she graduates, MMI or other schools provide the training. Good dealerships then send their techs to Can Am school. MMI is a year long, and not cheap. Graduates get and keep jobs forever. Good luck!

 

[Chupaca]

Little checking..!!

still at home the shop classes or vocational schools will get her the motorcycle training. She can pick up roadster shop manuals and work with them. MMI out in Arizona in well known. If she then gets into a dealership with can am products they can get her in. Or call BRP and ask them...:thumbup:

 

[unclegeezer]

Spyder Mech

Check with your dealer about the school for spyder

 

[Gray Ghost]

MMI has schools in Phoenix and Orlando, the length depends upon how many of the OEM courses are taken. Currently they teach Harley, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and BMW. Classes are, except for the six week theory lectures, very hands on. But they are not cheap.

The suggestions about taking shop classes are very good, but I would also suggest trying to get a job at one of the dealerships. Most shops are going to have some entry positions that mostly involve moving bikes, detailing them, etc. It would be a good way to see what goes on in the shop before making a big financial investment.

 

[Bob Denman]

Bust something :shocked:
(Or, drag home a "Treasure"...)
Then; tell her that you could use a hand... :thumbup:

Seriously: Vo-Tech and shop classes they've got you covered on all of those smart options! :2thumbs:

 

[PrairieSpyder]

My wife and I are foster parents of a 16 year old girl is loves old cars and likes to tinker with them. She has shown an interest in the spyder and has asked if there is an apprenticeship/internship so if she really likes it she can pursue it as a career.

So.....my question is where to start?

Johnny

Do you do any of your own mechanical work? If so, have her shadow you and help. If not, maybe you know someone who is and he/she'll let her hang out and learn. My dad knows the basics, but it wasn't his strong suit. But he ran the local airport and employed good mechanics, so my brother hung out with them. Also my older cousins on the farm and they rebuilt/maintained all their farm machinery. Now he is a mechanical wizard and can work on anything.

 

[Johnny_Swindle]

I do basic stuff because I do not have proper a work area and have limited tools. I have included her on projects but again there very limited in scope.

 

[PMK]

I am going to head off topic a bit. Very cool to see a person interested in mechanical stuff. I noticed the location is in Louisiana.

As cool as motorcycle maintenance is, I would lean more towards a career. At 16, learning how to troubleshoot and turn wrenches is important, start looking to see if companies like Petroleum Helicopters or Bristow have training with local schools.

Some of the helicopter manufacturers or large operators work with local schools. I have met and trained many helicopter techs and a lot of them stay with the company for a long time.

Best part is, it keeps motorcycles a hobby and fun, as opposed to something that may be a dreaded job and turn off for being around motorcycles.

Just an idea.

PK

 

[M109Dreamer]

I am going to head off topic a bit. Very cool to see a person interested in mechanical stuff. I noticed the location is in Louisiana.

As cool as motorcycle maintenance is, I would lean more towards a career. At 16, learning how to troubleshoot and turn wrenches is important, start looking to see if companies like Petroleum Helicopters or Bristow have training with local schools.

Some of the helicopter manufacturers or large operators work with local schools. I have met and trained many helicopter techs and a lot of them stay with the company for a long time.

Best part is, it keeps motorcycles a hobby and fun, as opposed to something that may be a dreaded job and turn off for being around motorcycles.

Just an idea.

PK

+1
I have been a helicopter mechanic for the past 24 years and I really dont have the drive anymore to wrench on them anymore.

But working on my own motorcycles and trucks I enjoy very much and consider it a hobby I really like to do in my fee time.

I think for me its prob due to having to do it day in day out and always on a certain time line versus taking my time to work on the bikes.

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

I have said this for years, don't waste the money on a tech school. Go to a local mechanic shop & talk to them.
Offer them the opportunity to work & learn there for free. Let them know you will do whatever grunt work &
menial things they ask. Watch them work, ask questions without being annoying & prove you are willing to learn. Let
them know, perhaps after a month you would like to get paid $50 or $100 a week if they feel you are helpful but
during the whole time you want to learn.
Make a deal that after you are able to stand on your own you would like to get paid a real salary, maybe not full but
no longer work for peanuts & perhaps sign a contract that you will stay with them for a given amount of time instead
of leaving after you feel you know enough(that is what shops don't like).
When you consider how much a tech school will cost & the fact that you really don't learn what is needed this is a
much more cost effective way to learn a trade.
The money you don't spend at a tech school can now be spent on the tools of the trade & since you are learning
real world i'm sure the owner & mechanics would help you on choosing the right tools.

 

[Johnny_Swindle]

Thanks to everyone who replied......all are good options.......some of the options offered are not available in our immediate area but are worthy of investigation.