Author Topic: I want to be a mechanic. (Read 2197 times)

qreawer · « **on:** May 05, 2012, 12:47:02 AM »

My name is Cameron (CB400F) and I'm looking desperately for a Bike Mechanic apprenticeship in Melbourne, Australia. If anyone knows anyone who might be looking for a keen and smart kid (maybe young man I'm 23) to take on as an apprentice please let me know. Even some general advice from my favourite motorcycle community will be appreciated...

cheeeers

mick7504 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2012, 02:59:27 AM »

G'day Cameron

This is just a thought, maybe you could put your name with some of the employment agencies just to get it out there.
There could also possibly be State Government agencies (and more than likely is) that will give you support as well.
We need skilled guys in the trades these days as they are unfortunately becoming a thing of the past.
You never know what might transpire.

If you're keen and willing to work hard and get your hands dirty, I think that you'll be on the right path.
It's all about job satisfaction and dedication to what you do which is a step in the right direction to further your skills.

Do some homework on it mate, best wishes, don't give up on your dreams and you'll make it.

Mick

trueblue · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2012, 03:45:27 AM »

I did my time through a group training scheme, I put my name down and placed a resume with them, a few days later I had to do an aptitude test, then about a week later I had a job offer, and a couple of days after that I started as an apprentice and the rest as they say is history.

MoMo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2012, 04:33:13 AM »

I went to a trade school and got a job straight away. Follow your dream, be the best you can be and you'll succeed...Larry

qreawer · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2012, 09:00:31 AM »

Thanks for all the advice and encouraging words lads. Still got a couple of garages on my radar to hit up before i bite the bullet and go to trade school i think. You might be surprised at how little the "Government agencies" helped when I spoke to em, Mick. Haha oh well, back to school, back to school. If nothing else you boys have made me think that I'l get there in the end and thats what counts.

thanks a lot, ride on!

qreawer · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2012, 02:15:53 AM »

Good news! I have an interview tomorrow, not working on classic Hondas but I'm happy to start out even at a BMW dealership. I let you guys know how i go.

dave500 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2012, 02:17:04 AM »

you might have to settle for a "normal"car mechanic apprenticeship,then swing over to bikes later?,its much the same,except bikes you dont have to remove auto transmissions on your chest while laying on your back.,,edit,i posted this the same time as you,,good luck.

mick7504 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 07, 2012, 02:49:02 AM »

Quote from: qreawer on May 07, 2012, 02:15:53 AM

Good news! I have an interview tomorrow, not working on classic Hondas but I'm happy to start out even at a BMW dealership. I let you guys know how i go.

As Dave said mate, good luck.
Give it your best shot and I hope that it goes well for you.
Over the years, I've said to the young fellas that it's better to ask a dumb question as against making a dumb mistake.
Listen and learn and respect the "old dogs" and you'll go far mate - that's a sure bet.

Most of the things that I can remember (and still work), were taught to me from the old school.

qreawer · « **Reply #8 on:** May 07, 2012, 06:38:35 AM »

Yeah but i think you miight be right Dave. I'm starting to feel a bit tentative about this job, just not sure i want to change oil and air filters on brand new BMW's for the next four years.. I'd rather work on old cars than new bikes.. But then working for a dealership I probably wouldn't feel bad ditching them half way through to go work somewhere I'd really like to.. Anyway I'll interview and see how it goes, it's an opportunity none the less and I shouldn't let it go by.. and thanks again Mick I'll heed your advice (see I'm doing it already)

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2012, 06:43:22 AM »

Quote from: qreawer on May 07, 2012, 06:38:35 AM

Anyway I'll interview and see how it goes, it's an opportunity none the less and I shouldn't let it go by..

And if they aren't a good fit for you, maybe they know someone else that would be. Interviews can work both ways.

qreawer · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2012, 07:19:47 PM »

Yeeeeaaahh so I might have been silly but I didn't take the job... Think I'm gonna bite the bullet and go to tafe, try and offer my services to a local garage just to get the ball rolling.. Since I got this interview I've had old family friends mention people they know that might be better suited to what I want to do (ie a bit of variety other than brand new bimmers that I have little to no interest in [not that i wouldn't ride an R SS if someone gave it to me]). People are great and things will happen, I'm happy to be patient and wait for the right opportunities, for now I better get back on the tractor and make some money, slashing is eeeaaasy work and should keep me busy until I find myself in a crafty backyard garage learning tricks off of an old master. Thanks for all the words of advice and support falice! I mean fellas...

dave500 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 08, 2012, 12:13:59 AM »

how about a small engines mechanic?mowers/chainsaws,stationary engines.

Radam · « **Reply #12 on:** May 08, 2012, 03:55:09 AM »

I've learned a lot about these old bikes on this forum, and I've also gotten heaps of good advice from fellow members. I was looking into the apprenticeship thing when I first moved to Melbourne a couple months ago, but decided to just get a job and keep working on bikes as a hobby. Sometimes it's better to keep your hobby as a hobby so that it doesn't end up feeling like work. I'd still like to be a certified mechanic though. I hope you end up doing what you like.

trueblue · « **Reply #13 on:** May 08, 2012, 04:16:45 AM »

I would suggest trying to get in with a company that has a fleet that they maintain themselves, in this type of company you will learn more than in a dealership, dealership mechanics now days are little more than parts fitters, if their little magic box can't tell them what is wrong, they can't diagnose the issue. I work in a shop that has an earthmoving buisness and an engine reconditioners attached, during a standard day I can be doing anything from something as simple as a service to a complete engine overhaul, or from machining work to opperating an excavator.

qreawer · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2012, 07:32:31 AM »

Small engines is definitely something I've considered, and my neighbour tells me who knows a fella who does that kind of work but doesn't shy away from bikes either, he had a couple of atv engines rebuilt their (this same neighbour has hooked up all but one of my jobs in the past). Anyway i got a call back from another place in Boxhill, Mick Hone motorcycles. Anyone know it? I'm going to meet him in the morning and see whats up. They seem to do a variety of bikes at least and I read somewhere someone had em do a rebuild.. it's pseudo Suzi dealership and it's hard to tell if they're just more parts monkeys or if they'll have stuff to sink my teeth into. I'm not sure if I'm being a bit picky about where I start out but pheck, i dont wanna do this for the money...

qreawer · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2012, 07:36:52 AM »

And good advice too true bluey, but maybe think i should take what i can get while i can get. what do ya think?

ps this mick hone joint is 2 mins from a house I've just applied for. maybe its right eh!

dave500 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2012, 01:18:53 PM »

mick hone motorcycles has been around for a long time,mick was injured when peter brock was killed.

Radam · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2012, 01:51:40 PM »

Oh yeah, where's the pics of you bike? I've always wanted a 400F.

qreawer · « **Reply #18 on:** May 09, 2012, 02:41:24 AM »

Yeah I read that article about Mick, pretty gnarly. Yeah we had a chat and I think you boys have steered me down the right track and I'm feeling good about NOT being a bike mechanic just yet. I still wanna work with engines but I wanna work somewhere where I can get a broad skill set. **want me to weld this cracked frame up Mr. Hone? I'll get to it when im done with the lathe**
The more I trawl this forum the more I wanna go on the retarded ride of working your bike out yourself, swearing and sweating, then finally, triumphently (or hondaently?) wrap your legs around your own #$%*ty handy work. Thanks radman radam.
Maybe I just got a bit crazy while I had no work... It's just as I feard... I think I like having a job! Small engines might be my thing, but I'm gonna take my time with decisions for a while...

As for photos, my brother just wiped my computer so I'll need to take more photos as they were only on a broken phone, so doing well technologically. And I lied a little about it being a 400, its a '73 350 with a 400 engine, matching numbers are for richers

qreawer · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2012, 03:24:29 AM »

There ya ahh.

CB350/400F Project by qreawer, on Flickr

Playing the old waiting on parts game, I mean waiting on money for parts game. But I put her dress on for ya, so you can see where shes headed, or not headed.

Radam · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2012, 03:43:33 AM »

Pretty rad! If I ever end up with a 400F I'd like to make some sort of a custom cafe(ish) bike. I don't know if I can stray away from superbike bars though. I just like them too much.

Operator · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2012, 05:27:48 AM »

Good luck following your dreams mate.

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Author Topic: I want to be a mechanic. (Read 2197 times)