Motorcycle mechanics maintain and repair motorcycles. They also work on all-terrain vehicles, motor scooters, and mopeds.
Every year, motorcycle enthusiasts from all over America gather at the Annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally, better known simply as "Sturgis." In 2008, over 500,000 riders traveled to Sturgis, South Dakota to celebrate their love of motorcycles. The town of Sturgis has only about 6,000 people the rest of the year, but during the days of the rally, the town is transformed into a biker heaven of chrome and exhaust. For many, attending Sturgis is the one and only vacation they take each year. So imagine how it might feel if your bike breaks down just before you're about to pack up the bags and hit the open road. What to do? Call the best motorcycle mechanic in town because it's an emergency!
Motorcycle mechanics talk to customers to learn more about the problems they are having with their motorcycles. They listen to engines as a way of diagnosing the type of repair needed. They also examine motorcycle frames to assess the amount of damage, if any. Then they estimate for owners how much repairs will cost. Next, mechanics take apart engines and examine how the parts are working. They use gauges and their eyes to assess the alignment and movements of parts. For some repairs, mechanics connect computers to engines to test how parts are performing.
Once they have determined what the problem is, motorcycle mechanics decide whether to put in new parts or repair current parts. A common repair is to clean and grind valves to return them to their original shape. Once engine repairs are done, mechanics put the engine back together and test how it runs. Some repairs may be made to the body of the motorcycle, such as to headlights, handlebar controls, or horns. Motorcycle mechanics use hand and power tools to replace or adjust parts. They also hammer out dents and put the bike frame back together. Most mechanics specialize in repairing one brand of motorcycle.