Career Profile: Motorcycle Repairer	Home	Español
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What I Do: I'm a mechanic, but instead of working on cars, I work on motorcycles. At the dealership where I'm employed, we service the motorcycles we sell. Customers bring their bikes into the shop for routine maintenance or repairs. I inspect the engine, brakes, and transmission, among other things. I replace worn parts or make adjustments when necessary. Diagnosing problems is a big part of my job. Even though we use a computer for diagnostic testing, a mechanic still has to know the equipment inside and out.

Best and Hardest Parts of My Job: Ever since I was a kid, I've been crazy about motorcycles, so getting paid to work on them is cool! I've become a real expert. I've also gotten to know some of the customers pretty well, and a few of us even ride together on the weekend. The hardest part of my job is keeping up with demand. Ours is the only dealership in this neck of the woods, so our shop gets a lot of business. And customers always want their bikes back the same day they bring them in!

How I Got Started: When I was in high school, I took vocational ed courses in automotive mechanics, small-engine repair, and business math. After I graduated, I was hired as a trainee mechanic by the dealership where I now work. At first I did simple jobs, then gradually learned how to do harder things like overhauling an engine. An experienced mechanic supervised me during my two-year apprenticeship. Now I'm one of the best mechanics in our shop!