How many mechs here? Poll

[xj11john]

I have worked at Ford, Saturn, Kia, Mazda, (dealerships)-and a dealership with Chevy and Nissan- in which I worked on the Chevy's.

I presently work in another field but still work on my own unless I need a lift or some other tool that I dont have.

I enjoy (as my wife can attest to) working on my XJ.

Just last week I took my alternator down and had brushes put in it for my Jeep Cherokee- that currently has 246,000 miles on it.
So far it has only needed a starter, water pump, and now new brushes for the alternator.

[motoman]

jack of all trades.......mastr at some?

Always been a gear head. Built many high peformance engines, mostly muscle cars, 70's stuff. 30+yrs. public servant with Colo. Dept. of Trans., certified automotive and heavy equip. mechanic, certified welder,certified tired, so I retired! Automotive carbs. were and are my 'forte' as for setting up for any application,drags, off road, whatever. Have a definite interest in moto-x bikes as I still race and set up my own bike, suspension, carb, etc. Earlier years, was involved in drag racing as a hobby. So if it has wheels, a motor, and is a bit scary with throttle mashed, I'm into making it more scary! With all the combined knowlege from all those here on this site, haven't needed a repair manual, and the XS1100 is very basic,almost childs play, as it is pretty straight forward and isn't rocket science, thanks to those here and the simple tech. info!(Some , I've found are very computer savvy too!) Thanks.

[gerkenbruce]

HI John

Have you ever Heard of Amphenol in Sidney N.Y, I am a machinest ther for 27 years I run a CNC 5 axes lathe you probley seen ower connters on some your stuff.

XSivly
Bruce

[Czekus21]

I twisted wrenches on heavy constuction equiptment. Not just in a shop, but also on constuction sites were time is $$$$. If it's got a track of large wheels, I've probably wrench on it, or one like it. Air, hydraulic and electrical systems were a nightmare. Cars, trucks and bike were ( and still are ) a hobby. I now am a cable service tech working in a Hybrid HFC broadband system fixing everything from the headend recievers, plant maint. To TV and boadband services. Working in another field makes me look foward to wrenchin, when I was fixing heavy equiptment, the last thing I wanted to do in my off time was wrench.

[wingnut]

I turned wrenches on corporate jets for about 15 years. Like others I now enjoy having all the skin on my knuckles and having my hands the same color as the rest of my body. Kind of specialized in small gas turbines (APUs) and went to work for a manufacturer running around the country helping the guys in uniform keep the war birds in the air. Working on the XS is therapy!

[SG-Olli]

Started working as a certified mechanic on Volvos and Citroen!
Then advanced to mechanical engineer and worked since for the car/truck brand with the blue oval.
Specialized in transmission housings, did work 5 years on automatics (if you own a Ranger or Explorer the transhousing is partially my design) three of those in Livonia, MI. Now back in good ol# Germany I changed to work on manual transmissions.
After 11 years still like it!

[LoserShoes]

In a place long ago and far away I was once a kid working in a gas station who thought he knew something about cars, and didn't realize how limited my knowledge was. Now I am Journyman Welder, aprenticeship at Naval Ship R+D Center, Carderock MD,have a BA in Physics from U Maine, and am a all round shade tree machanic. Have earned money in between real jobs and school wrenching on cars, but mostly for enjoyment and necessity. While I was an apprentice welder I decided that I wanted to be able work on all parts of a car, and bought the tools and stuff to do engines trannys and rearends. My bodywork skills still suck, but are improving.

And of course all this time I've always had 'cycles, and never once have any of them been in a cycle shop.

Steve

[xssiveone]

Not a mech by trade, or training. Auto shop in high school, and a father that was a tool and die maker, and also a machine repairman in an auto factory. He taught me a lot about "how things work". Also had a brother who was a bit of a motor head and helped him on his cars quite a bit.

Now I just break trucks and trailers to keep the mech's at work employed.

[don07tncav]

I've stripped many a nut with a wrench and popped nuts with some wenches. But until I found this site, most non basic tasks working on my bikes were beyond me. The site and it's members has really helped me working on the bikes and doing things that I never though I could.

Thanks guys!!!

[2bhappy]

When I was growing up many years ago, my Dad had some dump trucks and he was always fixing something. My job was to clean the parts and the tools after he finished. I have rebuilt several Mustangs, and other old cars as a hobby since then. I now tinker on Triple and XS11 engines since they are so sililiar.I love to get a piece of junk someone else has given up on and rebuilt it to the point of actually make it usable.

Marc

[Pat Kelly]

I went to automotive trade school (Arizona Automotive Institute). Worked in many shops over the years and found my niche in auto parts (not as dirty, cold, hot, bloody, etc).
Last 5 years been working as a security officer in a large hospital. Not as much money but it's very interesting (ever notice all soap operas involve hospitals?).
I may not be making money as a mech but I sure save a bundle doing my own work at home.

[GNEPIG]

.. so Pat, you watch soaps do you?

[chevy45412001]

roofer

started out as a roofer,then went to machine set up (multi spindle drills taps ,punch press etc.) learned wrenching from dad x racer and filling station owner. then i wrenched myself Now paint aircraft parts for all major airplane manufacturers and military (apachee helicopter) i like many enjoy working on my own things so i quit working on others all day so i would still enjoy wrenching.

[MartyA]

I wrenched a little on the side for cash, back when a 1926 American LaFrance fire engine tanker truck was only 45 years old. Mostly worked on old stuff like that that was found in back yards, sheds, and barns. Basket cases - I'd get them running and the owners could sell them for more than lb of scrap.

Then I got married and she got preggo.... that was it for the fun parts......

Now I pretend I know which end of the wrench adjusts...

[Winterhawk]

Winterhawk= an out of work A@P that works in the tainyards nights and on XS1100's during the day hours.