Motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship for a middle-aged guy?

[bitzz]

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Thanks, I saw that. Would love to work for GP, just not sure Etobicoke<>Whitby is a viable commute.

There is a GO station just around the corner from GP... one bus or a quick dash across the 401

"Bike mechanic" generally is a lousy job... hours are pretty lean in winter, too many hours in the summer.
"Power sports mechanic" bikes in summer, sleds in winter: GOOD LUCK finding a decent position.
Out here in the country, ATVs are year round, not so much in the big smoke.
You don't NEED a big expensive tool box.
If you're good at what you do, there will always be work.

You say you have an electrical/electronics background. There is NO ONE servicing electric vehicles outside of dealerships with factory trained techs. Some electric vehicle servicing courses at Fanshaw/Applebee/Ontario Tech would put you in good standing.

 

[shanekingsley]

Thanks. I really want to try the moto thing first. I know it might not work out long term, but that's the plan for now.

Wish you the best of luck with this.

Although younger than you are now, I changed careers at 29, quit my well paying office job to go back to apprenticeship school for something I was really passionate about that also happened to be in a chronically underpaying field. I started back at the bottom making just above minimum wage with no experience, but had set a number of goals for myself. 15yrs later and after a lot of hard work, a lot of networking, schooling, volunteer gigs, and coming up with my own special projects that would be useful to those who could help me, I now find myself very grateful that I trusted in myself.

And for what it's worth, I commuted 60km from Mississauga to Scarborough centre for 2 years, because I felt it was going to lead to good things. And it did exactly what I thought it would and I have the job of my dreams after all the effort and sacrifices. I'm equally thankful for not listening to the doubters and just trusting in my ability to make it work out through dedication and effort.

I think it's an excellent choice for you, especially if you are invested in making the most out of it and have the support of your wife. Yes the pay may suck at first, the hours may not be ideal, the commute may be long, you are starting at the bottom, but I'm firmly in the camp that if you truly enjoy your work, it will work out. You know what you want, you have the supports to make it happen and you are following your passion. I think it's a great place to be in life and hope you make the most of it.

 

[Matt Rain]

Wish you the best of luck with this.

Although younger than you are now, I changed careers at 29, quit my well paying office job to go back to apprenticeship school for something I was really passionate about that also happened to be in a chronically underpaying field. I started back at the bottom making just above minimum wage with no experience, but had set a number of goals for myself. 15yrs later and after a lot of hard work, a lot of networking, schooling, volunteer gigs, and coming up with my own special projects that would be useful to those who could help me, I now find myself very grateful that I trusted in myself.

And for what it's worth, I commuted 60km from Mississauga to Scarborough centre for 2 years, because I felt it was going to lead to good things. And it did exactly what I thought it would and I have the job of my dreams after all the effort and sacrifices. I'm equally thankful for not listening to the doubters and just trusting in my ability to make it work out through dedication and effort.

I think it's an excellent choice for you, especially if you are invested in making the most out of it and have the support of your wife. Yes the pay may suck at first, the hours may not be ideal, the commute may be long, you are starting at the bottom, but I'm firmly in the camp that if you truly enjoy your work, it will work out. You know what you want, you have the supports to make it happen and you are following your passion. I think it's a great place to be in life and hope you make the most of it.

Cheers man! Glad to hear you found something good after going through what sounds like a very similar awakening/existential crisis. I have no doubt that the beginning is not going to be glamourous at all. And I know I'm going to raise some eyebrows coming from a white collar background, although I'm already halfway through my transition to "manual labour" with the guitar thing.

And yeah, even if I have to start by washing and moving bikes around, I'm (probably) game. (If it starts that low, it would just have to be close to home.)

My dad is turning 70 this year and he doesn't have to work, but he's still doing basic admin and service work at a multiline powersports dealership in QC, making 1/3 of what he used to make as a GM/Service Manager. He's happier than I've ever seen him. Clock in, do good work, clock out, go home, repeat. We are simple men.

 

[gsxr guy]

I found the worst part of any trade in Ontario is finding an employer that wants you to go to school sooner rather than later.

 

[Jayv]

If I was to go back to trade school it would probably be something along the lines of elevator mechanic, so many towers being built downtown and think most of the guys are in a union. Financially if you are in a good position go with your heart and with motorcycles, but you won't get rich in the powersports industry.

 

[GreyGhost]

If I was to go back to trade school it would probably be something along the lines of elevator mechanic, so many towers being built downtown and think most of the guys are in a union. Financially if you are in a good position go with your heart and with motorcycles, but you won't get rich in the powersports industry.

But all of your co-workers would be annoying wankers. Elevator techs make a ton of money but most are primadonnas.

 

[Matt Rain]

you won't get rich in the powersports industry.

No illusion there. I'm fine with that. I just want a relatively future-proof job I'll enjoy. Fixing moving things is probably never going out of fashion.

I get that moto is low-end and seasonal and that there are a ton of "better" options. I still think I can carve myself a little niche there and maintain a side hustle or two.

Besides, if I was rational and risk-averse, I wouldn't have studied Lit to begin with. As an old boss said (he went through the exact same program/uni and owns a marketing/comms agency in MTL) "Studying literature prepares you for nothing, so in a way it prepares you for anything."

 

[Jayv]

No illusion there. I'm fine with that. I just want a relatively future-proof job I'll enjoy. Fixing moving things is probably never going out of fashion.

I get that moto is low-end and seasonal and that there are a ton of "better" options. I still think I can carve myself a little niche there and maintain a side hustle or two.

Besides, if I was rational and risk-averse, I wouldn't have studied Lit to begin with. As an old boss said (he went through the exact same program/uni and owns a marketing/comms agency in MTL) "Studying literature prepares you for nothing, so in a way it prepares you for anything."

FYI, Just look at the long term picture if you want to go that route, how much longer will ICE engines be dominant in the powersports industry. I don't see much change happening with sleds and ATV's, but smaller dirt bikes(especially kids) and street bikes will eventually start losing market share.

 

[xrljoel]

No illusion there. I'm fine with that. I just want a relatively future-proof job I'll enjoy. Fixing moving things is probably never going out of fashion.

I get that moto is low-end and seasonal and that there are a ton of "better" options. I still think I can carve myself a little niche there and maintain a side hustle or two.

Besides, if I was rational and risk-averse, I wouldn't have studied Lit to begin with. As an old boss said (he went through the exact same program/uni and owns a marketing/comms agency in MTL) "Studying literature prepares you for nothing, so in a way it prepares you for anything."

If it were strictly about doing it for money I'd say become a heavy equipment diesel mechanic, but I agree with others about not being an auto-tech.

My friends' step son worked at a garage for a number of years doing his apprenticeship. when he got his ticket, they couldn't afford him anymore and let him go. (The truth of the matter was that his work wasn't worth the extra money). He worked at a couple dealerships and a Canadian Tire but all the positions were paid as piece-work. So he spent most of his time sitting around waiting for work. One week he made $60.00 total. He now has a steel-worker union job bundling rebar.

As I said to my buddy, the first issue with his stepson was that he wasn't really a mechanic, just a doofus without ANY mechanical aptitude who persevered long enough to get his apprentice hours and pass the tests. If the software couldn't tell him what was wrong, he wasn't going to figure it out because he didn't have the first clue how. He wrecked 2 Subaru engines (in the same car) by letting them run out of oil....one of them LITERALLY had no oil showing on the dipstick.

I expect KNOW that someone with a clue would do much better, and at least make something of a living.

I think you're doing it just in time. At 46 you still have enough of a career ahead of you that you're employable. Getting the education and becoming a licensed mechanic (of any kind) will open doors for your future and give you options.

I wish I had the fortitude you have. I would have loved to be a mechanic or a tradesman of some sort.

I hope you enjoy your journey.

 

[Matt Rain]

@Jayv Well yeah. ICE should be nearly extinct and/or outlawed by the time I retire.

 

[Matt Rain]

If it were strictly about doing it for money I'd say become a heavy equipment diesel mechanic, but I agree with others about not being an auto-tech.

My friends' step son worked at a garage for a number of years doing his apprenticeship. when he got his ticket, they couldn't afford him anymore and let him go. (The truth of the matter was that his work wasn't worth the extra money). He worked at a couple dealerships and a Canadian Tire but all the positions were paid as piece-work. So he spent most of his time sitting around waiting for work. One week he made $60.00 total. He now has a steel-worker union job bundling rebar.

As I said to my buddy, the first issue with his stepson was that he wasn't really a mechanic, just a doofus without ANY mechanical aptitude who persevered long enough to get his apprentice hours and pass the tests. If the software couldn't tell him what was wrong, he wasn't going to figure it out because he didn't have the first clue how. He wrecked 2 Subaru engines (in the same car) by letting them run out of oil....one of them LITERALLY had no oil showing on the dipstick.

I expect KNOW that someone with a clue would do much better, and at least make something of a living.

I think you're doing it just in time. At 46 you still have enough of a career ahead of you that you're employable. Getting the education and becoming a licensed mechanic (of any kind) will open doors for your future and give you options.

I wish I had the fortitude you have. I would have loved to be a mechanic or a tradesman of some sort.

I hope you enjoy your journey.

Thank you sir!

 

[Jayv]

@Jayv Well yeah. ICE should be nearly extinct and/or outlawed by the time I retire.

I'm almost ready when they have decent enough range to buy one as a commuter, I think it's not that far away which kinda makes me sad in one respect. Might have to start hording more ICE bikes as garage queens.

 

[Lightcycle]

If I was to go back to trade school it would probably be something along the lines of elevator mechanic, so many towers being built downtown and think most of the guys are in a union.

I'd be a bit careful. That industry experiences a lot of ups and downs. Could get shafted quite easily...

 

[Matt Rain]

I'd be a bit careful. That industry experiences a lot of ups and downs. Could get shafted quite easily...

These jokes work on so many levels.

 

[backmarkerducati]

If I was to go back to trade school it would probably be something along the lines of elevator mechanic, so many towers being built downtown and think most of the guys are in a union. Financially if you are in a good position go with your heart and with motorcycles, but you won't get rich in the powersports industry.

On the elevator front, I know people that also ended up at the TSSA as an inspector later in their career....

 

[Priller]

If I was to go back to trade school it would probably be something along the lines of elevator mechanic, so many towers being built downtown and think most of the guys are in a union. Financially if you are in a good position go with your heart and with motorcycles, but you won't get rich in the powersports industry.

Definitely a solid trade if you want to get paid. Have yet to meet a commercial property manager who doesn't hate them for the blatant rip-offs, but feel trapped because once you're stuck with a brand, they will punish you for switching maintenance contracts. We occasionally have to do work in elevator shafts, and paying someone $500/hr to sit in a lawn chair and flick a switch at the beginning and end of shift is painful.

 

[Jayv]

I'd be a bit careful. That industry experiences a lot of ups and downs. Could get shafted quite easily...

I’m floored…

Yours jokes lift me to a new level.

 

[Lightcycle]

Definitely a solid trade if you want to get paid. Have yet to meet a commercial property manager who doesn't hate them for the blatant rip-offs, but feel trapped because once you're stuck with a brand, they will punish you for switching maintenance contracts. We occasionally have to do work in elevator shafts, and paying someone $500/hr to sit in a lawn chair and flick a switch at the beginning and end of shift is painful.

I used to work in marketing and we'd ship equipment to trade shows across the country.

After each show, we'd tear everything down and stuff them into the shipping cases and containers. Our moving truck was literally 50m outside the convention centre's loading docks. I could have walked everything there myself in under 15 minutes. But no, not allowed to do that. That's a union job, so we gotta wait 3 hours for the guy with the forklift to come around, strap it down and move it 50m.

*SMH*

 

[bigpoppa]

Definitely a solid trade if you want to get paid. Have yet to meet a commercial property manager who doesn't hate them for the blatant rip-offs, but feel trapped because once you're stuck with a brand, they will punish you for switching maintenance contracts. We occasionally have to do work in elevator shafts, and paying someone $500/hr to sit in a lawn chair and flick a switch at the beginning and end of shift is painful.

I've heard its a fairly hard trade to get into.

Much like doctors in this country, they dont want too many of them running around diluting pay.

 

[adri]

Literature major. I did consider it, but no one cares about the missing 9 credits at my age, and I'm pretty set on reorienting towards a skilled trade too. I really don't want to go back to a desk job.

But yes, sometimes it still nags at me. Just a dozen essays short of a piece of paper in a mahogany frame. Heh.

Don't let it bother you. My piece of paper, sans-frame, has been an envelope at my parent's house for 11 years. My mother dropped it off today. It's just paper in an envelope by my front door. No one's ever asked to see it. I don't even know what it looks like. No one cares.

I like bikes but if I was looking at a career as a mechanic I would probably be looking at automotive repair. People always need cars fixed. They cannot avoid the bill. There is always work (much less in January as they pay xmas bills but feb picks up again). Bikes are boom/bust and people can afford to delay work forever when times are tough. Bikes are fun but financially I don't see why you would pick them. Most mechanics now are diagnosticians and part swappers. Very little "repair" happens regardless of the number of wheels.

Talk to your local shops/dealers. They may have some useful insight.

This is good advice worth reading twice. Whenever someone asks me about entering the motorcycle industry because they need to make some money, I'm like "That's not why you work here" lol. Had I fallen in love with cars, and did everything I've done with motorcycles, with cars instead, I would be a wealthier and happier man. Motorcycle industry is feast or famine, crazy busy or crazy dead. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, and I wouldn't trade it for the world lol.

I had numerous offers over the years too work in the mc business. Never wanted to turn my passion into the 9 to 5.

I don't think I could do it working for anyone else. The whole "not ruining your passion by making it your day job" thing works okay when you're your own boss. When I was working for someone else, the passion side took a kick in the nuts sometimes.

If you just want a trade, no way in hell I would pick mechanic. Huge tool cost, normally at the whim of others, etc. Hvac/plumber/taper all pay better and are easy to turn into your own money printing machine with minimal investment.

Another great GreyGhost reply. If I was going to school for anything, you know how much electricians get paid? Or some other specialty service? If I was going to go through all the red tape of licensing, school, etc. all over again, so that I could work for myself and print money at my whim...

Dude, I get far more PTSD thinking about how much money I've given my electrician for two visits than I do from how much money I've given mechanics from 15 years of motorcycle riding.

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