Occupation Details
Motorcycle Mechanics
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$33,840.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$46,640.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$53,160.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
420
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
550
+13 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
67
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Air lifts
- Angled air chucks
- Arbor presses
- Automatic cylinder hones
- Automatic part cleaners
- Battery cable wrenches
- Brake cylinder hones
- Bubble balancers
- Bushing pullers
- Cable lubers
- Carburetor diagnostic tools
- Carburetor synchronizers
- Chain breakers
- Clamp meters
- Clutch holders
- Clutch hub spanners
- Crankcase splitters
- Cycle docks
- Decibel meters
- Digital multimeters
- Dirt bike lifts stands
- Drag link sockets
- Dynamometers
- Electrical diagnostic tools
- Electronic torque wrenches
- Engine degree wheels
- Engine exhaust analyzers
- Equipment dollies
- Flow benches
Technology
- DealerTrax ShopOrder
- Inventory tracking software
- LightSpeed Cloud
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Word
- Santa Maria Software Counterman Pro
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- write vehicle damage repair estimates
- estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
- determine installation, service, or repair needed
- maintain repair records
- repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- move or fit heavy objects
- repair vehicle body parts
- identify properties of metals for repair or fabrication activities
- understand service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- follow vehicle repair procedures
- use oral or written communication techniques
- follow safe waste disposal procedures
- use combination welding procedures
- use knowledge of metric system
- use 2-cycle engine technology
- use knowledge of welding filler rod types
- use electronic calibration devices
- use engine diagnostic equipment
- operate vehicle engine electrical system test equipment
- solder vehicle components
- use auto or vehicular body repair equipment
- use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- set up and operate variety of machine tools
- use pneumatic tools
- use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
- use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- use arc welding equipment
- use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- read specifications
- read schematics
- read technical drawings
- read vehicle manufacturer's specifications
- obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- observe or listen to machinery or equipment operation to detect malfunctions
- adjust or set mechanical controls or components
- align or adjust clearances of mechanical components or parts
- align or adjust clearances of vehicle body parts or components
- diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
- test mechanical products or equipment
- maintain welding machines or equipment
- overhaul vehicle major operating units, such as engines or transmissions
- conduct tests to locate mechanical system malfunction
- repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
- service vehicle with water, fuel, or oil
- diagnose malfunctioning vehicle systems
- assemble, dismantle, or reassemble equipment or machinery
- inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
- test operate vehicles before or after repair
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Mount, balance, change, or check condition or pressure of tires.
- Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools.
- Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, or generators.
- Connect test panels to engines and measure generator output, ignition timing, or other engine performance indicators.
- Listen to engines, examine vehicle frames, or confer with customers to determine nature and extent of malfunction or damage.
- Repair or replace other parts, such as headlights, horns, handlebar controls, gasoline or oil tanks, starters, or mufflers.
- Disassemble subassembly units and examine condition, movement, or alignment of parts, visually or using gauges.
- Repair or adjust motorcycle subassemblies, such as forks, transmissions, brakes, or drive chains, according to specifications.
- Reassemble frames and reinstall engines after repairs.
- Remove cylinder heads and grind valves to scrape off carbon and replace defective valves, pistons, cylinders, or rings, using hand and power tools.
- Install motorcycle accessories.
- Reassemble and test subassembly units.
- Hammer out dents and bends in frames and weld tears and breaks.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Small engine mechanics
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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