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/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> How did you learn mechanics? /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1494786477 Message started by Andy RN on 05/14/17 at 11:27:57 |
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Title: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Andy RN on 05/14/17 at 11:27:57 Attempting to teach myself mechanics at middle-age often seems overwhelming, and certainly humbling. I'm just curious how you guys learned this stuff? Did most of you start as teenagers, often times learning from your fathers or other family members - is that a reasonable guess? Has anyone taught themselves alone, from books (or the internet, as the modern age would have it)? |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Ruttly on 05/14/17 at 12:17:40 Started with bicycles then first mini bike at 12 then motorcycles at 15 and now I'm a diesel mecanik for the last 26 years. Lots of info here and very talented people to help, so don't hesitate to ask questions that's why we are all here ! |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by IslandRoad on 05/14/17 at 12:58:03 Andy, I've also started to learn about engines and mechanical work with my first bike at age 47. It IS daunting! I've discovered a few things over the last few months: you gotta have some decent tools ( I buy then as I need them), ya need a place to work ( i don't have a great place to work but it's something at least), and ya need to be patient. It would also be great to have a bike to work on that isn't your daily ride so you can lay it up for a while, and also keep riding. I'm working on that one! I've swapped the muffler, moved the turn signals, and re-jetted and cleaned the carb so far, but I haven't been game to get into the engine yet - the bike runs great, so I don't really need to. I need a project bike for that :) It doesn't sound like much but it's leaps and bounds for me ... It's great to at least have learned what questions to ask ;) This site is a rare resource, the people here are experienced, enthusiastic, and generous. I also have a couple of mechanic friends who are happy to help me if I get stuck - that makes a big difference. But yeah ... patience 8-) |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by engineer on 05/14/17 at 13:33:25 My first training was at maybe 12 yrs old from a neighbor who operated a mechanical shop in town and also owned a farm. He knew a lot of tricks and short cuts. By my mid teens I was picking up a lot from other kids. At 18 I got a factory job and they taught me fabricating, welding and some machining. Later, in college, a roommate who grew up on a farm and I learned from each other, exchanging information while we worked on various projects. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by v-pilot on 05/14/17 at 16:55:08 Learned it all from my Dad when he was still with us. After that school of youtube in absence of a manual |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/14/17 at 16:57:28 I disassembled every piece of junk or mechanical toy I could get a hold of. Always had a knack for starting mowers and such. It's good to have a new something to learn. It's better to fight a leak tomorrow than a stripped thread or twisted off bolt. The oil drain plug Can be too tight. Don't. Antisieze is your friend. Get some. Will you screw up? Maybe. But unless you destroy the engine, oil filter backwards, drop a valve, whatever, you'll save money and ride a lot more buying tools than paying someone to do your maintenance. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Hamman on 05/14/17 at 17:56:23 Hands on training from my pops who was always wrenching and fixing crap. After high school I went to MMI (Motorcycle Mechanics Institute) in Phoenix, AZ and became Honda/Kawasaki/Yamaha certified. Then did off site training from my employer to become master cert'd. Now, just hands on and learning more than I ever have from school. All the technical stuff they don't teach you, like Carb Sync's believe it or not! I was always timid at MMI to do any of the motor tasks but now I don't even think about breaking down a 4 cyl. to the case halves and replacing tranny's. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by batman on 05/14/17 at 18:07:24 Andy ,there's no reason you can't learn how to maintain this bike ,learning is a combination of research and hands on . read about the repairs you need to make on the bike ,on this site . Ask about anything you don't understand ,then proceed to do it .When you take a bike to be repaired the cost of labor will be around twice the cost of parts,this means that you could ruin all the parts you buy by trying to make a repair ,repurchase them all and make the repair ,and still have done it yourself more cheaply,and have learned along the way.This a basic bike and affords a place to learn the skills you need.we're here to help. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Dave on 05/14/17 at 18:36:04 I started by working on my motocross bike when I was in junior high. It was mostly just maintenance like oil changes and filter cleaning, and taking it apart to clean and lube things. When I was a junior in high school I worked at a Kawasaki dealer after school - I took motorcycles out of the shipping crates and assembled them, and put in the fluids and got them running and took them for a test ride. It was a great job....as I got to test ride the new 900 Z-1 and all the Kawasaki triples....250, 350, 500, 750! Then when I was a senior in high school I got a job working at a shop that sold and serviced lawn mower, lawn tractors and chainsaws....I learned a lot from the fellow that owned it. I worked there through my senior year and when I first started college. The fellow that owned it retired and sold the shop to a Suzuki/Ossa motorcycle dealer....they sold all the lawn stuff and motorcycles as well. Then when I went to college I spent a lot of my spare time with my uncle restoring antique cars. Working on mechanical things and building stuff has always been my hobby. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/14/17 at 18:54:23 And Nobody could work on anything without me Holding the light. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Ruttly on 05/14/17 at 19:35:31 Andy , All these talented people are all at different levels & specilties of expertise but we all have one thing in common. None of us were born mechanics we all had to learn our skills. It is true that some are naturally more mechanically inclined than others but it ain't rocket science and givin time you will learn it too. Be bold , ask stupid questions we will answer them ! If JOG can do it so can you ;D |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by MMRanch on 05/14/17 at 21:27:17 The oil drain plug Can be too tight. Don't. Yea , so if the motor is warm then the aluminum hole is expanded the steel plug is not. You tighten the steel into the aluminum then when they both get to the same temp , the plug (steel) is way too tight. Aluminum expands more than steel anyway. Dad raced cars for a hobby , so while my buddies were out playing , I was handing Dad wrenches and doing mechanics helper stuff. I used to hate it ... but , it worked out good for me ! |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by IslandRoad on 05/14/17 at 22:30:10 It's really encouraging to hear all these stories :) |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by IslandRoad on 05/14/17 at 22:37:29 655E5344555942445F575A45360 wrote:
Thanks for sharing that Dave! A few months ago I got a job at the local mower shop, working in the showroom. We do mowers chainsaws and dirt bikes. The guys are really interested in teaching me whatever I want to know and they don't mind running things on the lathe for me or letting me use their tools and the workshop. I have learned heaps already. I got the job because I was asking some advice about jetting the carb on the S40. I asked the guy if he was hiring ... he was! It's a complete change of work for me, and there is not much work around here, other than cafe's and hospitality. I've never enjoyed getting up and going to work so much [ch9786] |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Dave on 05/15/17 at 03:30:44 IslandRoad Lawn mower and chainsaw experience will keep you employed if you climate is anything like ours. When spring arrives everyone finds out their mower won't start......and the repair shops get swamped with work. Chainsaws sit neglected on the shelves for years, and then the owner find out it won't run either! The work can be pretty seasonal however.....winters can be really slow unless folks are using chainsaws and snowblowers. The fellow I worked for taught me a lot, and in the winter when things go slow he rebuilt Ford Model A, B and Flathead engines for folks. (I got to do the greasy cleanup and then take them apart). |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by IslandRoad on 05/15/17 at 04:21:39 It's similar here Dave. This is a tourist area with lots of holliday homes. The most common problem is stale fuel in the carb (and occasionally mud wasp nests in the exhaust). Every small town around here has a mower shop so the experience is really useful to me. Plus I can take home old machines and pull them apart if I want to see how they tick. We get the occasional road bike in for repairs. That always creates a buzz. Both the guys I work with ride older style bikes - Kawasaki 400 And Honda 750. And the classic bike events at the GP track usually bring in people looking for odd bits and pieces for repairs on the run. It's good fun. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by BSTON on 05/15/17 at 06:30:52 I learned from internet forums, youtube, shop manuals, and trial & error. My dad has never really been mechanically inclined. He'd do stuff like change out a toilet flusher or a random light fixture but that was about it. It's a shame too because my first car was a 68 Mustang. It would have been a perfect thing for us to learn stuff on but everything was done by the local dealer. Now I just pick stuff up by doing maintenance and small repairs on my motorcycles and cars. I'm slowly building up the tool collection one repair at a time. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by BSTON on 05/15/17 at 06:55:41 I'm in my mid 30s by the way. I didn't really start doing any sort of mechanical work other than oil changes on a motorcycle until I was in my mid 20s. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/15/17 at 08:33:43 It's a shame too because my first car was a 68 Mustang. Crimea Rivver.. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Dagillespi on 05/15/17 at 09:27:27 I worked on stuff with my Grandpa when I was younger a bit. I always helped my dad with the oil changes back when I was a kid. Then at 17 I started working in my uncle's body shop and learned some more there. Now I've done a lot to the my jeep too lifted it locked the axles and all that goes with it. I had the dirtbike to work on growing up and some crotch rockets that I did the usual bolt ons. But this bike is the first one I've really torn into cutting welding and such. I just built my own sissybar a few weeks ago and that was a good example of learning. YouTube it then do it and see how it turns out. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by BSTON on 05/15/17 at 11:34:25 0B141215080F3E0E3E06141853610 wrote:
I wasn't saying that it was a shame that I had the car, just a shame that I didn't use it as a learning tool. Most likely it would have turned into just learning how to remove rusted hardware because the car was 30 years old at the time. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by gizzo on 05/15/17 at 14:28:52 like a lot of these guys, I startedwith pushies when I was a kid. that and "helping" dad with little jobs on his aeroplanes. then he bought me a 2 litre cortina that needed anengine rebuild before I could drive it. learned a lot on that car. I did a diesel mechanic apprenticeship in a coal mine in flinders ranges. when that ended I worked for an old boss there who'd bought a bush garage. I learned a lot there, too. Raced dirt circuit and bike, builts some street machines (350 powered LJ GTR Torana :) and others ) after, moved to the city worked a few years in a 4wd workshop before a career change. I was never the best mechanic, but not the worst, either. while I was apprentice at the coal mine I bought a Ducati. I still keep it around and it reminds me of how hamfisted I could be back then. still runs great though. keep up the good work. maybe I'll have a chance to swing by and say gday some day. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by SoC on 05/15/17 at 17:54:21 Started as a teenager, my dad was in motor pool in Army, he wasn't real fond of turning a wrench, though I think he knew how, but got me started when I was pretty young "helping" work the on family cars. My first major attempt at a real repairs were up grades to my first dirt bike, a 1972 Yamaha LT2 100 Enduro. At 15 tore down top end to replace piston and rings as I had no way to get it to repair shop and even if I did, couldn't afford the mechanic. Once I started driving had a series of muscle cars which were constant upgrade and fix. Spent some time studying Mechanical Engineering in college before changing my major to somethng a little more party friendly like accounting. Throughout life, mostly did my own vehicle repairs, was lucky that I have my own fabrication business and shop and could pull vehicle in or leave it on stands in parking lot (it's in an industrial park) anything as long as it didn't require a lift. When a little more established in life moved from small daysail boats to large sailboats, you want a shocker have a mobile diesel mechanic come to a boatyard and do repairs, wasn't ready to sign my paycheck directly over to him for that. Refurbished 3 boats from 22' to 35' over the years. What is the word boat an acronym for, Break Out Another Thousand. Still have the boat, only now I'm back to motorcycles. So, I guess life does go full circle. Was really looking forward to riding the bike to the marina to go sailing this summer. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/15/17 at 18:32:12 Interesting stories. Bstn, it's cool.. I was just goofing. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by buster6315 on 05/15/17 at 19:04:41 My brothers were always wrenching on something, so I learned by watching. There was some genetic predisposition in me as a result. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by FL Savage on 05/15/17 at 20:40:55 I bought my first car and Craftsman tool set in 1972. Experience came a little at a time by doing what needed to be maintained or fixed. Working part time at a service station while in college helped. But most of my learning came thru working on old Dodge and Plymouths that I have owned over the last 40 years. I've had about 20 of them, still have 6. Motorcycles are new to me but I'm finding it easy to adapt over from cars to my 2004 Savage with the helpful tips in the SuzukiSavage.com Tech Section. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by NHLS650 on 05/16/17 at 03:53:43 In 1984, at 20 years old, I realized college was just not for me. 3 years of fumble "f'ing" thru, on my own dime, a study of criminal law and psychology was just going nowhere. Loving auto shop in high school, I went looking for a mechanic's job, and was hired by an AMC/Jeep?Renault dealer as a mechanics apprentice. From there, after a few years, I did the mechanics' 'follow the money' hop from dealership to dealership and finally ended up with a huge Mercedes dealership in northern NJ. They sent me for every schooling possible! In 1993 I was offered a position with my municipality's public works as the police mechanic. My primary job was building/repairing and maintaining the 18 police vehicles in the fleet. That lasted 20 years, and $40k worth of tools/boxes from 1984 till the present. In 2013 my family and I "retired" and moved from NJ to NH! A better way of life and much less stress. I don't turn a wrench for a living anymore, but can fix just about anything. Limited motorcycle experience, learning as I go. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by BSTON on 05/16/17 at 06:42:10 5B444245585F6E5E6E56444803310 wrote:
It also had a straight 6 putting out (probably) less than 100 hp and a 3 speed trans. I would race my girlfriend that had a Geo Prism and she would win unless it was downhill. Top speed was maybe 85mph. You'd also smell like gas if you were in the car for more than a minute, it didn't have AC, and the black vinyl seats were cracking. At least it looked and sounded cool. ;D |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Ruttly on 05/16/17 at 06:49:52 Ford 170 ci 101 H/P |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by SoC on 05/16/17 at 07:01:55 Hey Fl Savage, funny you mention your years of working on Plymouth and Dodges. When I was kid, my father had a thing for 64-67 Chrysler Imperials and New Yorkers (Newports also). I menttioned my muscle cars in my post, senior year in HS I had a 1970 Plymouth Road Runner, 383 Magnum (335hp), factory Hurst 4 speed and the "Beep Beep" horn. My dad had a 66 Chrysler coupe with a 440 (350hp) under the hood, one of several he owned over years. Between the 2 of them, 685HP sitting in the driveway Always wanted to race him but he would have no part of it. Spent much time wrenching on both of them my senior year in HS and freshman year in college. Both snarling beasts in their own ways, one just much more refined on the inside. My Lexus GS350 F-sport is over 300hp but the modern technology and refinements make it an ease to drive. The Road Runner pictured in Hagerty website, is exactly the same as mine as to color and vinyl top. Paid a even 1k for it in 1977, today it would be worth between 45-68K, wish I had held onto. Sold it after a couple years in college to pay my tuition. Funny story, When I met my wife, freshman year, when I picked her up for first date I drove my mom's Ford Pinto. She didn't actually see the Road Runner until we had dated awhile. Years later after we were married (34 years this past Jan.) she told me she would have never dated me if she knew the kind of car I actually drove. She always complained she felt like it would do flips when she was in it, go figure. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by stewmills on 05/16/17 at 07:21:03 My dad was a helicopter mechanic in Vietnam and after coming back he opened a service station/repair shop for a bit before opening a construction business. For all of my childhood he raced dirt track cars and for a few years we raced ARCA super speedway (Talladega, Atlanta, etc. in the Southeast) cars. I didn't exactly follow in my dad's footsteps as far as the racing bug, my big brother did, but growing up around this environment I learned the most important lesson, which is NOT to be scared to try! If my bicycle had a flat tire, dad would point to the repair kit and wrenches and say "let me know if you have any trouble" and I was probably 9 or 10 years old. I didn't get it at the time, but he was teaching me more than I realized. To this day, there are things I have never worked on but it doesn't take but a split second for me to grab a tool and start investigating and taking things apart without really thinking about what I am doing. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Armen on 05/16/17 at 12:26:07 I used to like to play in the town dump. One day I found a box of rusty, broken hammers. I started to bash everything, especially things that made noise. A guy saw me, and offered me a job as a mechanic at his Harley dealership. ::) |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Tocsik on 05/16/17 at 13:28:56 Was always interested in how stuff works. I was constantly taking things apart when I was a kid, but as my mom will testify, couldn't always get them back together. I took Small Engine Repair class in high school and really enjoyed it but not everything stuck with me; typical teenager (plus, that was 35 years ago). We took apart and rebuilt lawn mower engines and got to learn about 4-stroke and 2-stroke engines. Learned about piston ring compressors, crankshafts, magnetos, valves and reed valves in the 2-strokes. Some guys were way ahead of the rest of us and brought in motorcycle engines to work on. Teacher was Mr. Overbay. He wore grey coveralls and was missing half of 2 fingers and most of another! As an adult, YouTube has turned out to be an amazing resource. Learned how to sweat copper pipe, frame walls, drywall, install wood flooring and definitely found help for mechanical needs. I am a committed do-it-yourselfer but need the basic knowledge first. I tinkered with my 150cc scooter (at the age of 45 or so) prior to getting the Savage. Changed my own tires, replaced the brake pads and shoes and made dozens of changes to the CV transmission. That all came about because that particular scooter also has a rabid fan base willing to share and teach. When I got the Savage I changed the oil, swapped the petc0ck, raised the front of the seat and put on new front brake pads. Those are great places to start working on this bike. I moved on to taking the wheels off myself and getting the new tires mounted at a shop and then re-installing the wheels myself. Instructions for these things can all be found here on this amazing site. I have even done the cam chain tensioner by reading all the tutorials here. And yeah, things can look a little scary inside that right side engine cover but you only deal with a little of it for the CCT. I would say to take it slow and easy. Use this site for your bike and wait for the good advice to flow in once you post a question. Read through tutorials a few times before you tackle a new project to be sure you catch all the tidbits that can make a big difference (like fastener torque and Clymer errors). You'll get to the point where you start coming up with your own variations on things. As time goes on, you'll be making contributions to the next new guy behind you. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Tocsik on 05/16/17 at 13:29:41 7A49565E553B0 wrote:
That's funny, right there. Yup. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by LANCER on 05/16/17 at 18:36:56 I learned a lot from my dad. He did all of his own work on our cars, from basic maintenance to full rebuilds, and also built some of the houses that we lived in. He was a jet engine mech. for United and American Airlines. I also spent a lot of time with my Grandpa Eslick who was a farmer (peach orchards in N. CA.) and was always working on and fixing his equipment, tractors, cars & trucks. I spent my high school summers working for him in the orchards. We have a been mechanical family. I really wish I had spent more time with my dad when he was working on things. He was always asking me and I would help for a time but was always wanting to go somewhere. I regret that. I got tools for Christmas when I had my own car. My first car was a 1971 Chevelle SS396 with 4 spd. First bike was a Suzuki 150 2 stroke twin. That little thing was bullet proof. Every dollar made during my junior/senior H.S. summer went to buy it. Then my brother found a BSA he thought was really cool, so I went to look and we bought it, a '56 Goldstar DBD. It was the first big single I had ever ridden; been a fan ever since. My first Savage was a Fathers Day gift from my son...yesa good boy ! |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Andy RN on 05/23/17 at 05:41:03 Thanks for all the great stories... you are all an inspiration! The more I time I spend reading and with a wrench in my hand, the more confidence builds :) |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by raydawg on 05/23/17 at 05:55:31 Never think you can not learn...... I was mid 50 and did a career change from a trade I knew extremely well. I was the proverbial fish out of water.... Not only did I learn a new trade, doing such also had much positive effects on things I had not even known were possible, that extended beyond learning a new trade. Willingness is the most important element, and lose the pride and ego, do not be afraid to admit ignorance and ask questions, repeatedly if needed |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Ruttly on 05/23/17 at 10:03:25 Yeah Ray invented the fishnet speedo bathing suit ! ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/23/17 at 11:07:53 COOL! My wife and girlfriends said Thanks.. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Andy RN on 05/25/17 at 22:01:10 Bwahahaha! Hey, Ray, if it's not too personal, what career did you come from and move to? |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/25/17 at 22:06:31 He told me he was a female impersonator In New Orleans back in 73. That's when he was designing the outfits, too. That's when the fishnets were big.. well, it sounded okay, but it looks bad in print. Ray knew the value of a dollar. And how many it took to mess up the elastic on his Speedo. |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by IslandRoad on 05/25/17 at 23:48:14 77647C61647262050 wrote:
That's inspirational stuff for me Raydawg. I'm nudging fifty and have shifted to a completely new life in many ways. I would love to learn this trade. Starting slowly but the trajectory feels right. I've also discovered that working on and riding a bike has far reaching benefits beyond working on and riding a bike! |
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Title: Re: How did you learn mechanics? Post by Ruttly on 05/26/17 at 15:19:33 Yeah you might look good in high heels. ;D ;D ;D |
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