Motorcycle Mechanics: Career & Application Guide

What do motorcycle mechanics do?

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

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.

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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