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Text File | 1995-10-24 | 12.1 KB | 233 lines

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Motorcycle, Boat, and Small-Engine Mechanics

(D.O.T.  620.281-054, .684-026; 623.261, .281-038, -042;
625.281-018, -026, -030, -034, .381; 721.281-022)

Nature of the Work

Although the engines that power motorcycles, boats, and lawn and
garden equipment are usually smaller than those that power
automobiles and trucks, they have many things in common, including
breakdowns.  Motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics repair and
service power equipment ranging from chain saws to yachts.

   Small engines, like larger engines, require periodic servicing to
minimize the possibility of breakdowns and keep them operating at
peak efficiency.  At routine intervals, mechanics adjust, clean,
lubricate, and, when necessary, replace worn or defective parts such
as spark plugs, ignition points, valves, and carburetors.  Routine
maintenance is normally a major part of the mechanic's work.

   When breakdowns occur, mechanics diagnose the cause and repair or
replace the faulty parts.  The mark of a skilled mechanic is the
ability to diagnose mechanical, fuel, and electrical problems and to
make repairs in a minimum amount of time.  A quick and accurate
diagnosis requires problem-solving ability as well as a thorough
knowledge of the equipment's operation.  The mechanic first obtains
a description of the symptoms of the problem from the owner, and
then, if possible, operates the equipment to observe the symptoms.
The mechanic may have to use special testing equipment and
disassemble some components for further examination.  After
pinpointing the cause of the problem, the needed adjustments,
repairs, or replacements are made.  Some jobs require only the
adjustment or replacement of a single item, such as a carburetor or
fuel pump, and may be completed in less than an hour.  In contrast,
a complete engine overhaul may require a number of hours, because
the mechanic must disassemble and reassemble the engine to replace
worn valves, pistons, bearings, and other internal parts.

   Motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics use common handtools
such as wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers, as well as power tools
such as drills and grinders.  Engine analyzers, compression gauges,
ammeters and voltmeters, and other testing devices help mechanics
locate faulty parts and tune engines.  Hoists may be used to lift
heavy equipment such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, or boats.
Mechanics often refer to service manuals for detailed directions and
specifications while performing repairs.

   Mechanics usually specialize in the service and repair of one type
of equipment, although they may work on closely related products.
Motorcycle mechanics repair and overhaul motorcycles, motor
scooters, mopeds, and all-terrain vehicles.  Besides engines, they
may work on transmissions, brakes, and ignition systems, and make
minor body repairs.  Because many motorcycle mechanics work for
dealers that service only the products they sell, mechanics may
specialize in servicing only a few of the many makes and models of
motorcycles.

   Motorboat mechanics repair and adjust the engines and electrical and
mechanical equipment of inboard and outboard marine engines.  Most
small boats have portable outboard engines that can be removed and
brought into the repair shop.  Larger craft, such as cabin cruisers
and commercial fishing boats, are powered by diesel or gasoline
inboard or inboard-outdrive engines, which are only removed for
major overhauls.  Motorboat mechanics may also work on propellers,
steering mechanisms, marine plumbing, and other boat equipment.

   Small-engine mechanics service and repair outdoor power equipment
such as lawnmowers, garden tractors, and chain saws.  They also may
occasionally work on portable generators, go-carts, and snowmobiles.

   Motorboat mechanics repair the engines and electrical and mechanical
equipment of marine engines.

Working Conditions

Motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics usually work in repair
shops that are well lighted and ventilated, but which are sometimes
noisy when engines are being tested.  However, motorboat mechanics
may work outdoors in all weather when repairing inboard engines
aboard boats; they may have to work in cramped or awkward positions
to reach a boat's engine.

   In northern States, motorcycles, boats, lawnmowers, and other
equipment are used less, or not at all, during the winter, and
mechanics may work fewer than 40 hours a week; many mechanics are
only hired temporarily during the busy spring and summer seasons.
Some of the winter slack is taken up by scheduling time-consuming
engine overhauls and working on snowmobiles and snowblowers.  Many
mechanics may work considerably more than 40 hours a week when the
weather is warmer in the spring, summer, and fall.

Employment

Motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics held over 46,000 jobs
in 1992.  About 11,000 were motorcycle mechanics, while the
remainder specialized in the repair of boats or outdoor power
equipment such as lawnmowers, garden tractors, and chain saws.  More
than one-quarter of all motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics
worked for dealers of boats, motorcycles, and miscellaneous
vehicles.  Others were employed by independent repair shops, marinas
and boat yards, equipment rental companies, and hardware and lawn
and garden stores.  Nearly one-third were self-employed.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Due to the increasing complexity of motorcycles, most employers
prefer to hire motorcycle mechanics who are graduates of formal
training programs.  However, because technology has not had as great
an impact on boat and outdoor power equipment, most boat and
small-engine mechanics learn their skills on the job.  For trainee
jobs, employers hire persons with mechanical aptitude who are
knowledgeable about the fundamentals of small 2- and 4-cycle
engines.  Many trainees develop an interest in mechanics and acquire
some basic skills through working on automobiles, motorcycles,
boats, or outdoor power equipment as a hobby, or through mechanic
vocational training in high school, vocational and technical
schools, or community colleges.  A growing number also prepare for
their careers by completing training programs in motorcycle, marine,
or small-engine mechanics, but only a relatively small number of
such specialized programs exist.

   Trainees begin by learning routine service tasks under the guidance
of experienced mechanics, such as replacing ignition points and
spark plugs, or taking apart, assembling, and testing new equipment.
Equipment manufacturers' service manuals are an important training
tool.  As trainees gain experience and proficiency, they progress to
more difficult tasks, such as diagnosing the cause of breakdowns or
overhauling engines.  Up to 3 years of training on the job may be
necessary before an inexperienced beginner becomes skilled in all
aspects of the repair of some motorcycle and boat engines.

   Employers sometimes send mechanics and trainees to special training
courses conducted by motorcycle, boat, and outdoor power equipment
manufacturers or distributors.  These courses, which can last as
long as 2 weeks, are designed to upgrade the worker's skills and
provide information on repairing new models.

   Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates for trainee
mechanic positions, but will accept applicants with less education
if they possess adequate reading, writing, and arithmetic skills.
Many equipment dealers employ students part time and during the
summer to help assemble new equipment and perform minor repairs.
Helpful high school courses include small-engine repair, automobile
mechanics, science, and business arithmetic.

   Knowledge of basic electronics is increasingly desirable for
motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics.  Electronics are
increasingly being used in engine controls, instrument displays, and
a variety of other components of motorcycles, boats, and outdoor
power equipment.  Mechanics should be familiar with at least the
basic principles of electronics in order to recognize when an
electronic malfunction may be responsible for a problem, and be able
to test and replace electronic components.

   Motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics are sometimes required
to furnish their own handtools.  Employers generally provide some
tools and test equipment, but beginners are expected to gradually
accumulate handtools as they gain experience.  Some experienced
mechanics have thousands of dollars invested in tools.

   Some mechanics are able to use skills learned through repairing
motorcycles, boats, and outdoor power equipment to advance to higher
paying jobs as automobile, truck, or heavy equipment mechanics.  In
larger shops, mechanics with leadership ability can advance to
supervisory positions such as shop supervisor or service manager.
Mechanics who are able to raise enough capital may open their own
repair shops or equipment dealerships.

Job Outlook

Employment of motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics is
expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations
through the year 2005.  The majority of job openings are expected to
occur because many experienced motorcycle, boat, and small-engine
mechanics leave each year to transfer to other occupations, or
retire or stop working for other reasons.  Job prospects should be
especially favorable for persons who complete mechanic training
programs.

   Growth of personal disposable income over the 1992-2005 period
should provide consumers with more discretionary dollars to buy
boats, lawn and garden power equipment, and motorcycles requiring
more mechanics to keep the growing amount of equipment in operation.
In addition, beginning in the late 1990's, the number of persons
between the ages of 18 and 24 should begin to grow.  Motorcycle
usage should continue to be popular with persons in this age group,
who historically have the greatest proportion of motorcycle
enthusiasts.  Motorcycles have also been increasing in popularity
with persons between the ages of 25 and 40, a group with more
disposable income to spend on recreational equipment such as
motorcycles and boats.

   Recreational boating is expected to continue to be popular, and
construction of new single-family houses will result in an increase
in the lawn and garden equipment in operation, increasing the need
for mechanics.  The continuing shift of the Nation's population to
the South and West where warm weather seasons are longer and
equipment use greater should also contribute to an increase in
demand for mechanics.  In addition, more mechanics may be required
if the growing complexity of the engines of motorcycles, boats, and
outdoor power equipment forces more consumers to turn to
professional mechanics for maintenance and repair services.

Earnings

Motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics who usually worked full
time had median earnings of about $435 a week in 1992.  The middle
50 percent earned between $330 and $499 a week.  The lowest paid 10
percent earned less than $263 a week, while the highest paid 10
percent earned over $749 a week.

   Motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics tend to receive few
fringe benefits in small shops, but those employed in larger shops
often receive paid vacations and sick leave and health insurance.
Some employers also pay for work-related training and provide
uniforms.

Related Occupations

The work of motorcycle, boat, and small-engine mechanics is closely
related to that of mechanics and repairers who work on other types
of mobile equipment powered by internal combustion engines.  Related
occupations include automotive mechanic, diesel mechanic, farm
equipment mechanic, and mobile heavy equipment mechanic.

Sources of Additional Information

   For more details about work opportunities, contact local motorcycle,
boat, and lawn and garden equipment dealers, and boat yards and
marinas.  Local offices of the State employment service also may
have information about employment and training opportunities.