A bit of shameless sharing.

[fintip]

Some time ago, a friend of the family gave me a scooter, an old Yamaha Riva 125. This friend didn't have a reputation for taking care of his vehicles. At the time, I knew almost nothing about mechanics. I knew in theory one was supposed to 'change the oil', but didn't even realize what could happen if that wasn't done--and anyways, I'm sure it could wait a few hundred miles. What's the worst that could happen?

The friend lived a few hundred miles from Austin, so I decided to drive it back. I got an old paper map, and routed out a path on old two-lane highways. Speed limits of 70 most of the way, passing through lots of small towns. It was a blast. Took me almost 14 hours...

...And then, 40 miles out of Austin, the engine seemed to have seized. I called the guy, I called a mechanically inclined friend in Austin. Tried buying some oil and putting a dollop in the piston chamber itself. No dice. Finally had a friend with a truck drive out and pick me and the scoot up.

I changed the oil the next day and it ran, amazingly (God bless Yamaha). For all of three days. Turns out the compression was badly enough compromised that it burned enough oil in that time to start eating away compression further, and finally lost all compression.

I let it sit until I had some money. Then I decided to do something about it.

I called a few places asking about parts and cost, usually ended up talking to a mechanic in the back. Well, more than once, a mechanic told me I should call this guy 'John' that they used to work with, who had since started his own shop. Great work, very reasonable on prices. The second or third time someone in town told me to call him, I finally decided he was probably my man.

The advice was sound. He cleaned up the carb so he could test it properly, just because it needed to be done, and when he gave it back to me, the engine idled so quietly that it sounded like it had died when you would pull up to a red light. I was impressed.

I shortly thereafter sold the scooter, profited, and bought a motorcycle--an XJ650. I started teaching myself bike mechanics as best I could off of youtube, google, and xjbikes.com. I did about everything I could do to that bike to convince myself that no matter what went wrong on the road, I'd be able to handle it. On the way, I occasionally stopped by that mechanic's place. I had him do checkups on my new bikes and give me his opinion, paid him for a general all around service. Paid him to install a tire once.

Eventually I didn't need to go by anymore, but he and his one apprentice wanted updates on my trip to Mexico, so I sent them updates while I was down. Every once in a while if I wanted some advice, or a price quote on a part, I'd call them.

So when I had these electrical problems, I called and asked them for some feedback. In the midst of the discussions, I went ahead and mentioned to his 'apprentice' that I'd be interested in apprenticing there as well, if John was interested.

After a few weeks, I asked if he'd considered it... And some more conversations later, I have officially started interning there. This last week was my first week, and things went well.

So that's it. I'm just pretty excited. They primarily work on old Japanese bikes, though some modern bikes show up occasionally. Thought I'd share the good news. Glad to work with one of the rare honest mechanics out there, hope to learn a lot.

[FJmonkey]

That is great news Kyle, keep it up!!!

[aviationfred]

Kyle, that is a great story with even a better ending. 

[yamaha fj rider]

Kyle

You will learn so much and this can be a great experience, life changing. Congratulations and best wishes.

Kurt

[Arnie]

Kyle,

Congratulations.  You should learn a lot. 
Now, don't go spending ALL your pay on more bits for the FJ, keep a bit for yourself :-)

Arnie

[fj11.5]

Nice one kyle, now you have somewhere to work on your fj inside

[crzyjarmans]

 , Great story, hopes for a great new career for you

[Steve_in_Florida]

Very cool, Kyle.

What an excellent opportunity. Make the most of it.

Steve

[Tiger]

  Way to go...ENJOY!!! 

John.

[fintip]

Thanks guys.