MMI az school

kawimoto_615
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kawimoto_615 10/18/2011 10:36pm
10/18/2011 10:36pm
i will keep that in mind, from what ive been told is that students usaully start in the spring time or in september, so i have plenty of time to learn more as i go i believe. like i said earlier im gonna try and get my feet in the door of a local shop and get a better feel for the actuall career there
williamsmotowerx 10/18/2011 10:36pm
10/18/2011 10:36pm
williamsmotowerx wrote:
here's a quiz kawi... how do you know how much slack to put in chain?
EvanR127 wrote:
I don't know the scientific terms but essentially cycle the rear suspension until you find the point where the chain is the tightest and use that...
I don't know the scientific terms but essentially cycle the rear suspension until you find the point where the chain is the tightest and use that point to measure whether the chain is too loose or too tight.

IMO Kawi you should learn how to rebuild suspension before going, its a piece of cake just read the manual if you have trouble.
Yes!

You need to understand how things work before you fix things.

That's why you don't "learn" to be a mechanic.
kawimoto_615
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kawimoto_615 10/18/2011 10:43pm
10/18/2011 10:43pm
williamsmotowerx wrote:
I wouldn't hire you.

Ask the MMI recruit the question I asked.
of course you wouldnt, because you are just a random guy that sits behind a keyboard and hates on everything, my two fingers and a half a finger gap has done more than just "good" for me. havent snapped a chain yet.
mxpunk
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mxpunk 10/18/2011 10:48pm
10/18/2011 10:48pm
kawimoto_615 wrote:
i will keep that in mind, from what ive been told is that students usaully start in the spring time or in september, so i have...
i will keep that in mind, from what ive been told is that students usaully start in the spring time or in september, so i have plenty of time to learn more as i go i believe. like i said earlier im gonna try and get my feet in the door of a local shop and get a better feel for the actuall career there
if you live near sillicon valley, id look into getting into IT....but IT is boring as are so many other "desk jobs"

The Shop

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mxryder231
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mxryder231 10/18/2011 10:49pm
10/18/2011 10:49pm
I went there in 2005 got out at 2007 and got a job wrenching, what I learned at school and what is real world situations is completely different. You need to understand how things work then be able to diag and troubleshoot through the problem and understand why it failed. It's a ok school but If you really want to do wrenching I suggest get into a shop and try to intern or apprentice somewhere when you can learn real world situations. I worked for a well known shop for 4 years and got out of it and I am now goin back to school to get a college degree in appraisal. It's hard to make money when the economy is still low and people cant afford to fix their "toys" btw I grad. When I was 20 and now going back to school at 25
mxryder231
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mxryder231 10/18/2011 10:54pm
10/18/2011 10:54pm
williamsmotowerx wrote:
I wouldn't hire you.

Ask the MMI recruit the question I asked.
kawimoto_615 wrote:
of course you wouldnt, because you are just a random guy that sits behind a keyboard and hates on everything, my two fingers and a half...
of course you wouldnt, because you are just a random guy that sits behind a keyboard and hates on everything, my two fingers and a half a finger gap has done more than just "good" for me. havent snapped a chain yet.
That still doesn't make it right, just cause you use two fingers doesn't mean it's correct no people's fingers are the same everyone has different size fingers and thickness do how can you say your two fingers is the correct amount of tension when the oem has measured and know the angles of the whole bike and says chain adjustment should be 30to 45 mm just for example how do you know your fingers are that measurement?
kawimoto_615
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kawimoto_615 10/18/2011 10:55pm
10/18/2011 10:55pm
mxryder231 wrote:
I went there in 2005 got out at 2007 and got a job wrenching, what I learned at school and what is real world situations is...
I went there in 2005 got out at 2007 and got a job wrenching, what I learned at school and what is real world situations is completely different. You need to understand how things work then be able to diag and troubleshoot through the problem and understand why it failed. It's a ok school but If you really want to do wrenching I suggest get into a shop and try to intern or apprentice somewhere when you can learn real world situations. I worked for a well known shop for 4 years and got out of it and I am now goin back to school to get a college degree in appraisal. It's hard to make money when the economy is still low and people cant afford to fix their "toys" btw I grad. When I was 20 and now going back to school at 25
what you just said makes all the sense in the world because that is exactly what i have read in other spots across the web... correct me if im wrong, MMI teaches you about the bikes and the way things work, but they do not neccesarily teach you exactly how to fix the complex problems that customers with their "toys" come in for?... if thats it i totally understand, no where can anybody teach anybody else real world tasks and working with customer demands, it only happens once you actually trouble shoot the problem. but you can neccesarily trouble shoot the problem if you dont know exactly how everything works. (just like previous posters have said)
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 10/18/2011 10:56pm
10/18/2011 10:56pm
mxryder231 wrote:
I went there in 2005 got out at 2007 and got a job wrenching, what I learned at school and what is real world situations is...
I went there in 2005 got out at 2007 and got a job wrenching, what I learned at school and what is real world situations is completely different. You need to understand how things work then be able to diag and troubleshoot through the problem and understand why it failed. It's a ok school but If you really want to do wrenching I suggest get into a shop and try to intern or apprentice somewhere when you can learn real world situations. I worked for a well known shop for 4 years and got out of it and I am now goin back to school to get a college degree in appraisal. It's hard to make money when the economy is still low and people cant afford to fix their "toys" btw I grad. When I was 20 and now going back to school at 25
I did pretty much that at that age but I didn't work at a shop. I worked for a bunch of different riders full and part time. Then after I got sick of being broke, I ended up going to college after MMI. I'm actually thinking about going back again next semester. Should have just did 4 years right of high school and retired by now! lol
kawimoto_615
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kawimoto_615 10/18/2011 10:59pm
10/18/2011 10:59pm
williamsmotowerx wrote:
I wouldn't hire you.

Ask the MMI recruit the question I asked.
kawimoto_615 wrote:
of course you wouldnt, because you are just a random guy that sits behind a keyboard and hates on everything, my two fingers and a half...
of course you wouldnt, because you are just a random guy that sits behind a keyboard and hates on everything, my two fingers and a half a finger gap has done more than just "good" for me. havent snapped a chain yet.
mxryder231 wrote:
That still doesn't make it right, just cause you use two fingers doesn't mean it's correct no people's fingers are the same everyone has different size...
That still doesn't make it right, just cause you use two fingers doesn't mean it's correct no people's fingers are the same everyone has different size fingers and thickness do how can you say your two fingers is the correct amount of tension when the oem has measured and know the angles of the whole bike and says chain adjustment should be 30to 45 mm just for example how do you know your fingers are that measurement?
i realize that it doesnt make it "right" but tell me what do it at home person knows that measurement. almost everyone in the moto world goes off of two fingers, give or take. its all trial and error when it comes to race day. correct amount of tension in the book may not be the correct amount of tension each rider needs to suit their riding style or ability.
mxryder231
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mxryder231 10/18/2011 10:59pm
10/18/2011 10:59pm
mxryder231 wrote:
I went there in 2005 got out at 2007 and got a job wrenching, what I learned at school and what is real world situations is...
I went there in 2005 got out at 2007 and got a job wrenching, what I learned at school and what is real world situations is completely different. You need to understand how things work then be able to diag and troubleshoot through the problem and understand why it failed. It's a ok school but If you really want to do wrenching I suggest get into a shop and try to intern or apprentice somewhere when you can learn real world situations. I worked for a well known shop for 4 years and got out of it and I am now goin back to school to get a college degree in appraisal. It's hard to make money when the economy is still low and people cant afford to fix their "toys" btw I grad. When I was 20 and now going back to school at 25
Chris O'Neal wrote:
I did pretty much that at that age but I didn't work at a shop. I worked for a bunch of different riders full and part...
I did pretty much that at that age but I didn't work at a shop. I worked for a bunch of different riders full and part time. Then after I got sick of being broke, I ended up going to college after MMI. I'm actually thinking about going back again next semester. Should have just did 4 years right of high school and retired by now! lol
I worked for a shop and also for a rider who now races sx and mx, I learned a lot but I knew I was not going to live the way I wanted doing that. Which is fine I had fun learned a lot. And now work on bikes as a hobby and side income. I still love the sport just want to spend more money doin fun shit! Haha
kawimoto_615
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kawimoto_615 10/18/2011 11:01pm
10/18/2011 11:01pm
chris,
all your guy's info has been great, i totally get that finacially there isnt really any room for play in your piggy banks in the beggining but everyone has had to starrt somewhere and more times than not its startin out in the gutter no matter what proffesion for the most part.. that i have learned at a young age...
mxryder231
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mxryder231 10/18/2011 11:03pm
10/18/2011 11:03pm
kawimoto_615 wrote:
of course you wouldnt, because you are just a random guy that sits behind a keyboard and hates on everything, my two fingers and a half...
of course you wouldnt, because you are just a random guy that sits behind a keyboard and hates on everything, my two fingers and a half a finger gap has done more than just "good" for me. havent snapped a chain yet.
mxryder231 wrote:
That still doesn't make it right, just cause you use two fingers doesn't mean it's correct no people's fingers are the same everyone has different size...
That still doesn't make it right, just cause you use two fingers doesn't mean it's correct no people's fingers are the same everyone has different size fingers and thickness do how can you say your two fingers is the correct amount of tension when the oem has measured and know the angles of the whole bike and says chain adjustment should be 30to 45 mm just for example how do you know your fingers are that measurement?
kawimoto_615 wrote:
i realize that it doesnt make it "right" but tell me what do it at home person knows that measurement. almost everyone in the moto world...
i realize that it doesnt make it "right" but tell me what do it at home person knows that measurement. almost everyone in the moto world goes off of two fingers, give or take. its all trial and error when it comes to race day. correct amount of tension in the book may not be the correct amount of tension each rider needs to suit their riding style or ability.
Then what the point of having specs? They have those for a reason, and riding ability should not determine chain slack adjustment.....sorry
kawimoto_615
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kawimoto_615 10/18/2011 11:03pm
10/18/2011 11:03pm
all of this has started out of pure hate for my typicall day job that i and most other people have in this world right now, so why not apply myself to something i love and not REALLY have to go to work everyday. that is my whole reasoning behind it
EvanR127
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EvanR127 10/18/2011 11:09pm
10/18/2011 11:09pm Edited Date/Time 10/18/2011 11:14pm
kawimoto_615 wrote:
of course you wouldnt, because you are just a random guy that sits behind a keyboard and hates on everything, my two fingers and a half...
of course you wouldnt, because you are just a random guy that sits behind a keyboard and hates on everything, my two fingers and a half a finger gap has done more than just "good" for me. havent snapped a chain yet.
mxryder231 wrote:
That still doesn't make it right, just cause you use two fingers doesn't mean it's correct no people's fingers are the same everyone has different size...
That still doesn't make it right, just cause you use two fingers doesn't mean it's correct no people's fingers are the same everyone has different size fingers and thickness do how can you say your two fingers is the correct amount of tension when the oem has measured and know the angles of the whole bike and says chain adjustment should be 30to 45 mm just for example how do you know your fingers are that measurement?
kawimoto_615 wrote:
i realize that it doesnt make it "right" but tell me what do it at home person knows that measurement. almost everyone in the moto world...
i realize that it doesnt make it "right" but tell me what do it at home person knows that measurement. almost everyone in the moto world goes off of two fingers, give or take. its all trial and error when it comes to race day. correct amount of tension in the book may not be the correct amount of tension each rider needs to suit their riding style or ability.
I am sorry this doesn't make any sense at all... Chain tension is not a way to adjust a bike to the rider. It's a accurately measured spec for the chain so it doesn't derail or get excessive wear.

If you want to measure your chain quickly. Adjust it properly with the manual spec than cut a piece of the wood to the thickness of the slack. Slide it under you chain every couple of riders to check it...... Wamoooo
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 10/18/2011 11:10pm
10/18/2011 11:10pm
Kawasaki and MotoConcepts are looking for a team manager!Wink
kawimoto_615
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kawimoto_615 10/18/2011 11:10pm
10/18/2011 11:10pm
mxryder231 wrote:
That still doesn't make it right, just cause you use two fingers doesn't mean it's correct no people's fingers are the same everyone has different size...
That still doesn't make it right, just cause you use two fingers doesn't mean it's correct no people's fingers are the same everyone has different size fingers and thickness do how can you say your two fingers is the correct amount of tension when the oem has measured and know the angles of the whole bike and says chain adjustment should be 30to 45 mm just for example how do you know your fingers are that measurement?
kawimoto_615 wrote:
i realize that it doesnt make it "right" but tell me what do it at home person knows that measurement. almost everyone in the moto world...
i realize that it doesnt make it "right" but tell me what do it at home person knows that measurement. almost everyone in the moto world goes off of two fingers, give or take. its all trial and error when it comes to race day. correct amount of tension in the book may not be the correct amount of tension each rider needs to suit their riding style or ability.
mxryder231 wrote:
Then what the point of having specs? They have those for a reason, and riding ability should not determine chain slack adjustment.....sorry
how many people have you talked to that actually open up the book to tighten their chain? i havent heard one person that has said anything like that. ive been racing since i was 8, ive heard a lot of opinions on a lot of different things. and almost everytime you ask someone about chain tension its two fingers and some slack on top of that. EVERYTIME, i will call the local shop i go to all the time tomarrow and see what they tell me. they have always done me well to with the things i have needed. i guarentee you i get a two fingers
mxryder231
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mxryder231 10/18/2011 11:13pm
10/18/2011 11:13pm
Then that's a shop that would not get my business.....
Chris O'Neal
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Chris O'Neal 10/18/2011 11:20pm
10/18/2011 11:20pm
kawimoto_615 wrote:
how many people have you talked to that actually open up the book to tighten their chain? i havent heard one person that has said anything...
how many people have you talked to that actually open up the book to tighten their chain? i havent heard one person that has said anything like that. ive been racing since i was 8, ive heard a lot of opinions on a lot of different things. and almost everytime you ask someone about chain tension its two fingers and some slack on top of that. EVERYTIME, i will call the local shop i go to all the time tomarrow and see what they tell me. they have always done me well to with the things i have needed. i guarentee you i get a two fingers
Not for nothing but a lot of the bikes are different especially the first years of Honda's aluminum frame. I worked at Moto XXX Honda and couldn't believe how tight Alan Brown had his chains on Lewis' bikes! But it was right. MMI would never have taught you that, but you can learn it through experience and studying others notes on the bike your working at the time via places like thumpertalk.

Pit Row

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lostboy819 10/18/2011 11:20pm
10/18/2011 11:20pm
The investment of time and money at MMI is not worth the return. really bad investment.
EvanR127
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EvanR127 10/18/2011 11:21pm
10/18/2011 11:21pm Edited Date/Time 10/18/2011 11:23pm
kawimoto_615 wrote:
i realize that it doesnt make it "right" but tell me what do it at home person knows that measurement. almost everyone in the moto world...
i realize that it doesnt make it "right" but tell me what do it at home person knows that measurement. almost everyone in the moto world goes off of two fingers, give or take. its all trial and error when it comes to race day. correct amount of tension in the book may not be the correct amount of tension each rider needs to suit their riding style or ability.
mxryder231 wrote:
Then what the point of having specs? They have those for a reason, and riding ability should not determine chain slack adjustment.....sorry
kawimoto_615 wrote:
how many people have you talked to that actually open up the book to tighten their chain? i havent heard one person that has said anything...
how many people have you talked to that actually open up the book to tighten their chain? i havent heard one person that has said anything like that. ive been racing since i was 8, ive heard a lot of opinions on a lot of different things. and almost everytime you ask someone about chain tension its two fingers and some slack on top of that. EVERYTIME, i will call the local shop i go to all the time tomarrow and see what they tell me. they have always done me well to with the things i have needed. i guarentee you i get a two fingers
I have been riding since I was 5, have 3 brothers, tons of cousins, neighbors, and friends that ride and I have never once seen them not adjust a chain without looking at there manual. I guess I live in the smart part of the state....lol
kawimoto_615
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kawimoto_615 10/18/2011 11:26pm
10/18/2011 11:26pm
they are only one of the biggest yamaha dealerships in nor cal, if not the biggest. so clearly what they do more than just one person agrees with. oh and they have had a few pretty damn good riders go through their race team as well.
EvanR127
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EvanR127 10/18/2011 11:28pm
10/18/2011 11:28pm
^Lmao
kawimoto_615
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kawimoto_615 10/18/2011 11:32pm
10/18/2011 11:32pm
kawimoto_615 wrote:
how many people have you talked to that actually open up the book to tighten their chain? i havent heard one person that has said anything...
how many people have you talked to that actually open up the book to tighten their chain? i havent heard one person that has said anything like that. ive been racing since i was 8, ive heard a lot of opinions on a lot of different things. and almost everytime you ask someone about chain tension its two fingers and some slack on top of that. EVERYTIME, i will call the local shop i go to all the time tomarrow and see what they tell me. they have always done me well to with the things i have needed. i guarentee you i get a two fingers
Chris O'Neal wrote:
Not for nothing but a lot of the bikes are different especially the first years of Honda's aluminum frame. I worked at Moto XXX Honda and...
Not for nothing but a lot of the bikes are different especially the first years of Honda's aluminum frame. I worked at Moto XXX Honda and couldn't believe how tight Alan Brown had his chains on Lewis' bikes! But it was right. MMI would never have taught you that, but you can learn it through experience and studying others notes on the bike your working at the time via places like thumpertalk.
of course they wouldnt teach that, trial and error. hands down the best way to learn how to make a race motorcycle the best it can be. safe to say you could agree with that? away from the chain talk though.. its getting ridiculous with something so small.
andymoto
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andymoto 10/19/2011 12:07am
10/19/2011 12:07am
The motorcycle tech program at Sac City College is a very good 2 yr certificate program for a fraction of the cost.
FIREfish148
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FIREfish148 10/19/2011 12:09am
10/19/2011 12:09am Edited Date/Time 10/19/2011 12:11am
I was thinking about going to MMI back in 2009 when I got laid off from a job in the carpentry union and was looking to get into a industry where I would actually look forward to waking up to work for in the morning. I Ended up going to a Technical college for motorcycles at Lake Washington Technical, and it pretty much sounds like what the people I know, and the people on here that went to MMI had the same experience as me. I only paid a fraction of the price, but the Instructor to student ratio was about 1/20 and of course everyone's always up the intstructors ass.

Honestly though I would only go if you are absolutely 100% sure that you wanna wrench on bikes and you are content with not making a whole lot of money. I went to school not knowing how to change my clutch, and came out knowing how to rebuild my motor. I've taken apart every single part on my 450 now and I for sure couldn't have done it without the knowledge I got from school. I learned a ton by going home after school and reading manuals and books on mechanics for hours, but I honestly just recently lost my drive when I got on at boeing and found myself more content with that for now.

I'll get back at it soon though. I don't know man working on the shit and learning about it will burn you the fuck out... Seriously though you realllly have to enjoy it and be passionate about it, because you cannot fuck something up and expect to ride it when you put it back together.
Gym Briggs
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Gym Briggs 10/19/2011 12:17am
10/19/2011 12:17am
williamsmotowerx wrote:
here's a quiz kawi... how do you know how much slack to put in chain?
EvanR127 wrote:
I don't know the scientific terms but essentially cycle the rear suspension until you find the point where the chain is the tightest and use that...
I don't know the scientific terms but essentially cycle the rear suspension until you find the point where the chain is the tightest and use that point to measure whether the chain is too loose or too tight.

IMO Kawi you should learn how to rebuild suspension before going, its a piece of cake just read the manual if you have trouble.
3 fingers!
mxtech1
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mxtech1 10/19/2011 6:03am
10/19/2011 6:03am
I was in the same boat you were when i was 18-19. hated the local community college and was wanting to do a mechanic gig. I considered MMI and really wanted to do it, but i was already a year into community college so i figured i would stick it out and get my degree before mmi. Well...I ended up transferring out of community college and into a 4 year university and majored in engineering.

During that 4 year college degree, I was fortunate enough to land a job as a technician at a dealership. The service manager was a cool dude and he was really into mx. he pretty much took me under his wing and taught me alot of what he knew. I'm not going to lie, it really sucked working at a dealership. I hated working on roached out atvs, dealing with brain-dead customers and the pay was only about $285 a week. But on the upside, that particular shop serviced alot of motocross bikes so I did get to do alot on those and I learned a bunch.

After 2 years, I was lucky and I got a job as a privateer mechanic and we did the MX Nationals during my summer break from college. It was really fun and I loved it. It was easier than working at the dealership, but the hours you have to put in are insane. I was paid $450 a week, which sounded like a good deal, but I was working 60-80 hours a week which ended up being less than minimum wage.

I finished my engineering degree in 2010 and now I work as an engineer in a pretty cool field. I like my job because it's 40 hours a week, every week, consistant (good) pay, and its not labor-intensive. I work on bikes out my home garage during the nights and weekends and make a pretty good amount of money off that.

I would like to get back into a mx/sx mechanic job at some point. I'm not trying to strum my own guitar here but I think a took a good route in my education because if I found a really good mechanic job with a team I would leave my engineering position, but I would always have that to fall back on you know?

I know several friends that went to MMI. I was never that impressed with their skills they learned. Sure they are good enough techs and can do most of the work, but I was so far more advanced then them with my skills i learned in the real-world. Combined with an engineering degree I really gained more insight into mechanical function of how everything on MX bikes work. Working at the dealerships will teach you more than MMI is going to, plus you're getting paid to work while you learn, not paying to learn while you work.

I guess you should just realize there are alot of different options to do what you are wanting. I would highly recommend at least finishing off your associates degree at your community college. suck it up and get through it so you always have that degree to fall back on. Nothing is going to replace real-world experience. try starting at the local dealership and see what you think of actually working in that environment before you drop over $20k for one year of school. Give the dealership a year or two to gain some experience, and then at that point if you still love it and want to go to MMI, then yes you should go and get that degree. If you are lucky, you might even find a dealership who is willing to pay for your education if you come back to work for a certain amount of years.
Walter
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Walter 10/19/2011 6:07am
10/19/2011 6:07am
"for the most part though i cannot stand sitting in a college classroom. i do it right now at the local community college and it just bores the hell out of me. nor do a lot of the requirements out there for a degree make any sense to me. a.k.a learning calculus even though most people will never use a calculus equation in their lifetime. thats why i have considered going to a trade school such as MMI.... on top of that working on my motocross bikes is honestly fun for me."

The decision you face is a very personal one. What is good for one may not be for another. Some things that are fun to do make better hobbies than careers.

A college education does not necessarily guarantee you security and financial success. It never hurts and can help in more ways than you realize at the time. I would urge you to think longer term in making the choice. Sitting in class is boring. But it is over after a relatively short time in your life. Some classes do not make sense at the time...but do years later.

Think about where you want to be in 10 or 15 years. Remember that if you want to own a shop, you better be able to do some accounting, inventory control and a host of other things beyond just spinning the wrenches...school helps there too.

Think about working in the trade and going to school.

After my first year in college I was bored and had some of the same feelings you have expressed. I had a chance to spend a year on the road with a car racing team. It was what I wanted to do long term and I thought it would be great in that I could learn a lot. My Dad talked me into staying in school, reminded me that I wanted to be a lawyer and was on track to do so, told me the 6 more years I would be in school would pass quickly, and told me I could buy a race car once I got out. I took his advice and it has worked out well for me. Racing bikes and cars became a great avocation that I could afford by my profession.

Good luck in your choice.
MotoChief
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MotoChief 10/19/2011 6:39am
10/19/2011 6:39am
Biggest problem I can see is that the marketplace is saturated with MMI, Wyotech mechanics and all of them seem to be having a hard time finding a wrenching job. Do not go there if your goal is to get a job right away. There are tons of out of work Moto mechanics out there with experiance, a fresh graduate is at the very bottom of the list.

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