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-Jody at MXA
I learned starting young to maintain and fix stuff because I was poor and stuff was always breaking. I was also in farm country and had a baby boomer father, so culturally it was the norm.
The breed is different now days, and I think that's attributable to many things- those being - overseas manufacturing that brings replacement prices to near repair prices, with a guarantee of warranty and all new components, complex electronics that scare people, metro setting vs rural setting doesn't allow much room to work on stuff or keep alot off tools around, video games, a cultural shift away from 'masculinity' and hyper awareness of solvents, chemical exposure.
I don't know. Im also happy im able to comfortably support my family because of this. And I don't expect to learn every trade out there to save a buck, so I can't argue someone else's path. And if you're a mechanic working for someone else, you know it's a hard, underpaid, demanding and stressful job.
I quit doing my own work on bikes ones the 2 strokes went away. With a 4-stroke I just stare at the motor and have no idea where to start. Chains n air cleaners are about my limit
Mx bro’s are tradesman( mining town)and do their own repairs.( the I step in and help them put it back together,lol!)
I’ve been a professional mechanic for years but don’t mind trying to tackle new stuff. tig welding lately..check out the KX500 tank I built. Youtub
e is your friend
Pit Row
Sounds like you should be doing a side hustle charging people half price ($40/HR) for the basic work that they don't want to do/don't have time to do.
I did just diagnose, source and replace a bad condenser motor on my outside beer fridge a couple of weeks ago. When I compare my hourly rate to what it would have cost to have someone out to fix it, it makes no sense. But every time I grab a cold beer from the fridge, I give a prideful nod to my accomplishment.
I use a VERY capable "mechanic" and any real engine madness I send to Twisted Development. For suspension, as of late, I've been using JBI (as in j b i) for suspension duties on all my WP, Showa and KYB stuff and the dude is EXCELLENT! Had a ride day/photo day a few months back where Cole Seely rode the Twisted Development/JBI 350 SX-F and he loved the stuff.
Here's the point: I pay for good services from great service providers. Sure, it ain't cheap; but, my bike is worth it. I'm worth it. My time at the track going as "smoothly as possible" is certainly worth it, too.
The OP has a good point; but, some of us rather let the real pros "do their thing" on the more serious stuff.
Did I mention its also just fun to wrench stuff and learn more every day?
But for myself, solving a problem with my head, and hands...........instant gratification. Add a beer, I'm set until the next hurdle gets thrown in front of me.
What's been bothering me is the price of parts now. I'm nearing completion of a 2004 YZ250 build, and it's gone way over what I figured it would cost me. No way I get the money back out of it. It's really gotten me to to think I should just buy a leftover new bike for a great deal, then repeat the process every year or so. It's not like I can use the performance of even the most lowly last place finisher bike in the shootouts, but having a freshie that doesn't need wrenching on is rather appealing.
Post a reply to: What happened to people fixing things.