How could I get into the bike repair trade?

[Coxyzxr]

Hi guys. Long story short(er) and without waffle(ish). I made the wrong choice doing IT at college (everyone pushed it as being 'the future' and I seemed to have a knack...)

I'm now 23, with a child, a partner and a flat. I now realise, perhaps a little too late I want to get into the motorcycle repair trade... more than anything I've ever wanted to do. This is want I want for a lifelong career but I feel it's too late I don't know how I could go about getting in that direction.

I' have wrote to various companys asking if they would consider taking me on, perhaps just a day or two so I can work and learn but no replies whatsoever (though I'm not supprised by this)

I just don't feel I could be happy unless I'm working with bikes for a career.

Kindest regards.
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**WAS FITTED "WRONG WAY ROUND" !** CANT ACCOUNT FOR THE STUPID !

[Barry_M2]

Same here dude, although I'm in an IT job already and fecking hate it! But I do have 10 years on you.

I'd love to become a bike mechanic, at the moment its a hobby but there isnt' anything I cant do. Got a pretty well stocked garage too.

The only way you'll ever make any decent money is to go self employed. I cant really justify leaving a pretty well paid (although boring) job, to do this, although if I had the opportunity I'd jump at it!

If you know what your doing, try working on mates bikes, and mates of mates for a few back handers, and build up a bit of a name for yourself.
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ZXR750R (M2) - For the road.
CBR1000 RR4 - For the track.
https://www.bikechatforums.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4332

[Coxyzxr]

AND you have a zxr 750? Are we the same person? maybe my conscience just replied to me.

Heh thanks for the reply mate. I'm out of work playing housewife at the moment also which doesn't help. My partners working full time but she prefers it that way.
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**WAS FITTED "WRONG WAY ROUND" !** CANT ACCOUNT FOR THE STUPID !

[Barry_M2]

Ha ha, yeah, good point!

And I wish I was playing housewife!!


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ZXR750R (M2) - For the road.
CBR1000 RR4 - For the track.
https://www.bikechatforums.com/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4332

[NSR Mick]

I'm in IT at the moment and staying here.

It gives me enough money so I can play at being a motorcycle mechanic at weekends. I dont think I'd like to do it 9-5.
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If you dont like the way that I ride.......Stop trying to keep up!!!

[stinkwheel]

You're probably not surly and unhelpful enough to be a motorcycle mechanic.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kipper]

You could try https://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/ and don't forget a lot of the big manufacturers run apprenticeship schemes.

Some have a cut off age of 18 whereas others will take on up to 25 I think.

[Coxyzxr]

Thanks for the reply kipper. I've looked into and signed up for some stuff on that site. I vaguely remember trying to do that months ago on the site but the form wasn't working so I left and forgot about it.

Apprenticeship would be the ideal way as going back to college would be fun but place a massive strain on our finances. Since I then couldn't be looking after our daugter but having to pay someone else to .

I just feel I have no-where to turn for info/help about and it literally feel like it's slipping through my fingers as I get older each day and for me it would be an unbelievably depressing shame to not be able to fulfil my (albiet) modest dream career.
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**WAS FITTED "WRONG WAY ROUND" !** CANT ACCOUNT FOR THE STUPID !

[sanchezz_182]

I would seriously consider being a mechanic before you do anything, its not a great job. (then again what is?)

1. Wages are not great
2.working under strict time constraints (more so if you doing dealer/warranty work)
3. fixing other peoples crap bikes
4.getting your hands dirty (ohk it may not sound like much your hands are in almost constant pain with minor cuts and dirt ingrained everywhere; which does not come out unless you scrub you hands everyday with degreaser; which leaves them in even more pain.)
5.Riding bikes everyday grows old pretty fast.

There are perks that relates to bikes though which is always good. If you plan on using it as a stepping stone to starting you own shop ect its a good way to go but as a career i wouldnt advise it.

what i did when i started out is get a bike/bikes take them to bits seek advise where needed (internet) dont be scared to rip apart engines ect (there all simple on the inside). Do this and if you still want to do it every day try find someone who will take you on, even as workshop hand or parts dept. once your in it will be alot easy to wangle a mechanics job.

PS. Im no longer a mechanic as i found the money:stress ratio to be a bit crap.
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no sig, thats gay!!

[Kipper]

Try your local tech colleges, see if there any evening classes on bike repair/restoration and give that a try and see if you enjoy it.

Also have you thought about giving LearnDirect a call?

[Coxyzxr]

[sakashitti ratter]

I know the feeling. It's difficult to get into. I have so far taken a level 1 course in motor vehicle maintenance and got the certificate purely to show companies I am serious.

I have then - I suppose I have to call it harrassed ALL the dealerships in my area (and I mean all of them too!)

I haven't got my foot through the door yet but they are now actually listening to me and taking the time out to contact me for a chat! (fingers crossed)

My advice would be if this career path it what you are truely passionate about then persevere with it. It takes ages to show how serious you are.

Asking them for work experience and working for nothing is a big bonus too.

Good luck
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Nothing a hammer can't fix!

[tutton]

With my apprenticeship
I got a year course done at college to gain some basic skills on the subject
then sent letters to all local companys asking if theyd take me on, got no replies for 4 weeks, then one just randomly phoned up and told me a vacancy was now open.

Id reccommend going to a big dealership like suzuki or something.
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Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[Fnatic]

Why not offer motorcycle repairs on a weekend so you can keep your IT job for security then as business picks up dump the IT?

[ZRX61]

[Coxyzxr]

[Moonie]

[andys675]

best think to do is get qualified at college then emigrate to OZ or NZ, they don't pay any better but who gives a shit when you have a better lifestyle and weather? the wankers that own uk bike shops continually try to shaft you, then you get pissed off and get another job somewhere you think is better and its no different, or you get head hunted by another dealer, who isn't any better, they offer good wages with crap bonus or crap wages with great bonuses, if you must stay here at least sort out your workshop at home and take plenty of work on the side

personally i'm getting out of here in less than 18 months time

[tutton]

What kind of wages to bike mechs get?
the local ones always seem to be taking tidy profits..
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Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[ZRX61]

[tutton]

What are the wages tho?
if the local place can charge me 25 quid for tightening my chain on its mot im sure they arnt that bad off.
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Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[Coxyzxr]

[reu]

Mate if you berlieve in it go for it. You ask any successful person with the dosh he will reply i did it all by hard work and having a dream so if doing this is your dream then i say jump on it mate. What goes around comes around. you work hard then it will reward you. go for it
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125cc Pitbike <sold> Aprilla Mx50 <current>

[ZRX61]

[ZRX61]