Picture this, you just spent 6 hours pulling apart the entire front end of your bike. Right down to the steering head so you could grease the bearings. What do you do next?
You pull apart the swingarm.
Remove the rear tire, brake assembly, hugger/chain guard.
Then removed the lower shock bolt and finally the swing arm pivot bolt.
You will note two things in this picture: 1) The rear brake caliper is removed from the swing arm and once again suspended using mechanics wire. There is also a piece of cardboard wedged in between the brake pads so that the bads will not wedge firmly together (requiring I pull apart the entire brake system to unwedge them) if someone accidently presses the rear brake lever. 2) The chain is tied to the subframe to keep it from getting rubbed around in the dirt while I'm working on the bike.
Clean all the parts... then reassemble 3 weeks later because you're now doing electrical. ARGH!!!!
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
It's... Tuesday, and my bike is still in peices. Why? Because we're learning to do electrical - find and isolate faults. Am I falling asleep?? YES. Do I wish I was dead? YES!! Am I learning anything, as much as I can. Why? Because you don't fire a mechanic who knows electrical. As such we're sequestered in the classroom for 6 hours a day for 2 full weeks. Rather then 2 classroom 4 shop like we have been doing.
I don't get to put the swingarm back on my bike until the Monday after next... and it's killing me. I feel so bad for the poor thing just hanging there its "O Ring" hanging out.
As for classes? I'm in class until Mid-March of 2007, with two weeks off for christmas. After that I need to complete a 6 week practicum at basically any shop in Canada I've been offered a place to stay in Vancouver or Calgary above and beyond my home in Edmonton, so it's tough to choose where, and have them sign off on the time spent working. I will then be considered to have completed my first year of apprenticeship.
After that, I can either keep on working at whatever I'm making, and probably get raises along the way. OR I can head back to school for 6 weeks a year once a year for 3 years, completing a test after each year. After those three years I will be able to challenge the journeymans exam. After that I'm an Alberta journeyman (recognized in Alberta) then if I challenge the international exam an pass I can become an internationally recognised journeyman. Qualified to work anywhere in the world without question. Kind of cool I suppose.
Last edited by Sev on Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
dr_bar wrote:Gee, there is a Honda dealer just down the hill from me, and I do have a Honda that will need servicing by then...
Do they have a mailing address?
*Edit* Wait a sec... you own a Yamaha... that wants to be a Harley. Unless it finally became a Harley and you left it on the side of the road and bought a Honda.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
K Sev - I hafta admit - I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your Fairview adventures. Sounds like you're learning a lot and having fun doing it - so be sure to keep snappin pics and posting.
Be Safe!
Those of you who think you're cool annoy those of us who really are! 8)
I snuck into the shop. We're not supposed to be in there without an instructor present... liability issues or something. And snapped a couple of quick shots of my bike dissasembled and cleaned... sorta.
This is what a 599 with no swingarm looks like.
This is the cleaned parts.
I'm reposting this picture to give you an idea of just how dirty it was before.
This is from when I installed my hugger... at the start of the season. It hadn't been cleaned between then and now.
Suffice to say it was pretty gross, lots of built up rocks and all kinds of chain lube. I spent a lot of time in there with kerosine and a brush+towels. It was a lot of work, but looks almost new now. So it was worth it.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
Things are progressing in class. We've moved from the 10 year old(age recomendation) circuit board toys to a board with actual headlights, turn signals and starter relays bolted to it. That we then have to wire up ourselves (I'll get pics after lunch).
The board that Josh and I got was wired ALL in red wires - hot, ground, everything all red. Even though you should have different colored wires. So we pulled it all apart, wired it all back together. We're hoping to test it after lunch.
After that we'll pull it all apart again and rewire it, this time using correctly colored wires. Doing it twice and doing it correctly ought to make things easier to understand.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.
So you snuck into the shop against the rules, took pictures of your crime and posted it on the internet?
It looks like you are having alot of fun. I'd love to be involved in something like that, although I'd rather work on someone elses bike since I wouldnt have anything to get me to work!
2002 Buell Blast 500 /¦\
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[url=http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/viewtopic.php?t=11790]Confessions of a Commuter[/url]
