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A motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship involves the assembly, maintenance, restoration and repair of motorcycles and other vehicles weighing lesser than 450kg. The apprenticeship program generally involves practical experience and theory in analysing motorcycle problems. With a motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship, you will gain the basic skills needed to be able to handle any type of motorcycle.

Required qualities for a motorcycle mechanic apprentice

• Skilled hands
• Good memory to be able to put pieces back together after dismantling the vehicle
• Good physical condition to be able to lift heavy vehicle parts
• Mechanical aptitude
• Good people skills
• Imaginative problem solver
• Motorcycle mechanic apprenticeship duties

A motorcycle mechanic apprentice is constantly under the supervision and guidance of a qualified motorcycle mechanic. Daily work generally involves the following duties, functions and activities:

• Select, inspect, use and maintain different hand tools, power tools, shop equipment, testing equipment and measuring tools.
• The selection, installation and removal of tubing, fasteners, piping, connectors, electrical wiring, hoses, couplings and fittings.
• Select, install, inspect, adjust and remove bushings and seals, bearings, sprockets, chains, pulleys, sheaves and belts.
• Choose appropriate plastic metals, plastics, adhesives, fuels, sealants, lubricants and coolants for specific applications.
• Inspect and monitor performance of machineries and shop equipment.
• Assemble, ignite, test and adjust equipment for oxyacetylene heating and cutting.
• Assemble new motorcycles based on the client’s specifications.
• Inspect, replace and service wheels along with its components.
• Inspect, change and service tires.
• Inspect, test and repair components of electric starter circuits, engine fuel systems, air induction systems, engine lubrication systems, cooling/filter/screening systems and liquid cooling systems.
• Inspect, adjust, repair and replace clutch components, kick-start system components, primary drives (cush drives, hyvo chains, simplex and duplex), final drive components (chains, universal joints, belts, and shaft drives), and frames/suspension components (forks, shock-absorber units and swing arms).
• Inspect, replace and test storage batteries.
• Test, adjust, rebuild and replace electrical charging system components.
• Adjust, overhaul, test and replace safety, warning and lighting electrical system components.
• Inspect, rebuild, clean, dismantle and reassemble different cylinder block assembly types.
• Install, test and adjust sidecar components.