We're well underway in the electrical class now. We're just about finished with all the demo's and practices. So far we've covered charging, starting and ignition systems also security systems, battery testing and we've touched on fuel injection too! The first test was today and I scored a 92 on it. It's not what I wanted but it is what it is and I've just gotta learn from it.
Tomorrow we start our graded lab work. They're being very tight lipped about exactly what we have to do and when but they have told us we have to work on 3 bikes, a Dyna,Softail and a Touring bike. On each of those we have to do a charging, starting and ignition test for a total of 9 tests. We also have to do a test on the security system, battery test and a few other smaller tests.
The best part of the class so far, in my opinion, has been using the Digital Tech 2 system. I tell ya, that thing is cool! More to come as I finish some projects.
Showing posts with label M.M.I.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label M.M.I.. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
4/21/2010
Almost done with the Engines & Transmissions class. We've got a little bit of electrical stuff today and some fuel injection tomorrow along with the final exam. I'm not too worried about it. Short of a disaster, I'll get an A in this class too. We finished 8 projects yesterday and I got 100's on all of em. The test score count so far...80,100,90. Next week we get DEEEEEEEEEP into electrical in the , shocker here...sit down, in the Electrical class! THIS is the class I've been waiting for.
(recap of the E1, Engines & Transmissions, class so far)
We've taken a Sportster engine down to the case, but not split the case that'll be in the Buell class (they use basically the same engines). We've taken a Twin Cam 88 & 96 ALL the way down, split the cases, pushed out all the bearings and reinstalled them, set the timing on the cams and rebuilt the entire engine and done it about 4 times now. We've taken apart 5 and 6 speed transmissions too.
(recap of the E1, Engines & Transmissions, class so far)
We've taken a Sportster engine down to the case, but not split the case that'll be in the Buell class (they use basically the same engines). We've taken a Twin Cam 88 & 96 ALL the way down, split the cases, pushed out all the bearings and reinstalled them, set the timing on the cams and rebuilt the entire engine and done it about 4 times now. We've taken apart 5 and 6 speed transmissions too.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Finished with Chasis & Suspensions (Harley)
I finished the chasis & suspension class on Friday. I scored a 96% on the final exam and finished the class out with a 91.6% and I still have 100% attendance in school.
The class consisted of removing and reinstalling swingarms, wheel bearings, lacing and truing wheels, removal and reinstalling springer front ends and adjustment, motorcycle alignment, brake system removal & reinstall and adjustment. There is probably a project that I'm missing. It was a busy class. The hardest project, without a doubt, was lacing and truing wheels.
Next week I start the Engine & Transmissions class. FINALLY I get to start the fun stuff. Next to the electrical class, I think this is the one that I'm most looking forward to.
The class consisted of removing and reinstalling swingarms, wheel bearings, lacing and truing wheels, removal and reinstalling springer front ends and adjustment, motorcycle alignment, brake system removal & reinstall and adjustment. There is probably a project that I'm missing. It was a busy class. The hardest project, without a doubt, was lacing and truing wheels.
Next week I start the Engine & Transmissions class. FINALLY I get to start the fun stuff. Next to the electrical class, I think this is the one that I'm most looking forward to.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Daily Update
Today we covered FL Springer front ends. Basically we take the front end off of a springer, take the bearings out, clean everything up and put it all back and adjust it. We also hit on the removal of the swingarm, removal and reinstalling the bearings of a Softail. We haven't started the lab section where we get our hands on these projects yet, that's not until next Tuesday but we did get to practice a little. It's not that hard. I also got to work on truing the laced wheel again. I hadn't updated about that in the old blog so let me fill you a little on that. Yesterday we had to work on lacing and truing a 40 spoke wheel. That means we had to build a wheel and adjust it so that it doesn't wobble or hop around on the motorcycle. If you've never done this, I'll fill you in........IT'S A PAIN IN THE BUTT!!!!
Today I had much better luck with it even though it took me 45 minutes just to get the wheel apart before I could start to build it again. We don't get our hands on brand new stuff too often around here. That being said, this is a school and this is training equipment we are using so you can imagine that it gets tore up pretty bad sometimes. Especially with a project like building a wheel. Some of the spokes looked like someone had clamped down on them pretty hard which is why it took me forever to get it apart. I started to rebuild it and it was going together great and then I ran out of time. I'll be working on it again tomorrow after our test.
I'm also supposed to tutor someone in Course 4, the electrical class, tomorrow afternoon if the coordinator told him I was going to do it. Oh.....yea. I forgot to mention that I was selected to be a tutor. It's nice to help people figure stuff out, especially with stuff that took me awhile to get myself.
Today I had much better luck with it even though it took me 45 minutes just to get the wheel apart before I could start to build it again. We don't get our hands on brand new stuff too often around here. That being said, this is a school and this is training equipment we are using so you can imagine that it gets tore up pretty bad sometimes. Especially with a project like building a wheel. Some of the spokes looked like someone had clamped down on them pretty hard which is why it took me forever to get it apart. I started to rebuild it and it was going together great and then I ran out of time. I'll be working on it again tomorrow after our test.
I'm also supposed to tutor someone in Course 4, the electrical class, tomorrow afternoon if the coordinator told him I was going to do it. Oh.....yea. I forgot to mention that I was selected to be a tutor. It's nice to help people figure stuff out, especially with stuff that took me awhile to get myself.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Basic Training DONE!
I finished up Course 7B yesterday. It was the course that everyone calls "the computer class". It's where you learn all the dealership computer systems. It really was an easy class. I scored 100% on everything except the final exam where I missed 2 questions. One was a question about "how many steps in the service process" and the other was a question on........I can't remember what it was about. It was a real easy question that I just goofed up on somehow.
I finshed the course with a 99.2% and still rockin 100% attendance.
Next week I start up the Harley section of the program and after that I should be starting the BMW program.
I did get a few more of the tools I need to continue work on the Buell so I should have some more pictures from that at some point here in the next week or so as the engine continues to get tore down.
I finshed the course with a 99.2% and still rockin 100% attendance.
Next week I start up the Harley section of the program and after that I should be starting the BMW program.
I did get a few more of the tools I need to continue work on the Buell so I should have some more pictures from that at some point here in the next week or so as the engine continues to get tore down.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Course 7 DONE!
Well it's been a little while since I've posted but it's been a hectic last month with the holidays and all. Let's see, what's happened since then........
I finished Course 5 with an A. It wasn't an easy course.
I have also completed Course 7. What is Course 7 you ask? It's the final exam course of the basic training section of the school. They test you on everything you have learned to this point and I mean EVERYTHING. I saw some test questions come up that I forgot were in the book and they took me a while to find them in the book to see if they really did teach us that stuff. Along with the written tests, two of them were 50 question tests and the last one was a 100 question test, we had to do about 25 projects ranging from changing brakes to performing various electrical tests and we had to do so without help from the instructor.
So what did I score you ask?
On the first test I scored an 82. The second I scored a 93. The last test a 73. The last test, the 100 question test, was no joke...neither were the other two for that matter. I was really caught off guard by a lot of the questions. According to the instructor a 73 is actually just above the average score. The average score is around 60. The highest score on the final test in our class was 84 or 86.
With regards to the lab score portion of the class, all the projects, I scored about a 98. With a 100 in Attendance and 100 in Professionalism, my final grade in the class ended up being....................(drum roll)............... a 92.56!
My next step is Course 7B. It's the course that everyone calls "the computer course". Basically we'll cover dealership procedure stuff. Paperwork, computer applications, crash estimates......that sort of stuff. It should be cakewalk. If I can run a home theater install office with 12 employees and 7 stores of salesmen and managers, I think I can handle a little computer work.
I finished Course 5 with an A. It wasn't an easy course.
I have also completed Course 7. What is Course 7 you ask? It's the final exam course of the basic training section of the school. They test you on everything you have learned to this point and I mean EVERYTHING. I saw some test questions come up that I forgot were in the book and they took me a while to find them in the book to see if they really did teach us that stuff. Along with the written tests, two of them were 50 question tests and the last one was a 100 question test, we had to do about 25 projects ranging from changing brakes to performing various electrical tests and we had to do so without help from the instructor.
So what did I score you ask?
On the first test I scored an 82. The second I scored a 93. The last test a 73. The last test, the 100 question test, was no joke...neither were the other two for that matter. I was really caught off guard by a lot of the questions. According to the instructor a 73 is actually just above the average score. The average score is around 60. The highest score on the final test in our class was 84 or 86.
With regards to the lab score portion of the class, all the projects, I scored about a 98. With a 100 in Attendance and 100 in Professionalism, my final grade in the class ended up being....................(drum roll)............... a 92.56!
My next step is Course 7B. It's the course that everyone calls "the computer course". Basically we'll cover dealership procedure stuff. Paperwork, computer applications, crash estimates......that sort of stuff. It should be cakewalk. If I can run a home theater install office with 12 employees and 7 stores of salesmen and managers, I think I can handle a little computer work.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Course 5 (week 3)
Well I got ANOTHER 100 on the test last Friday. I know you're getting tired of hearing that.
We've started our final projects for this class and so far so good. I had to do two tire changes which kicked my ass since I've just never had to change a motorcycle tire before. I did it in Course 2 a few times but that was nine weeks ago. I didn't forget how to do them but if you've never done something like that and don't do it again after you learn how you just don't develop those tricks to getting it done right and quick. I thought I pinched one tube but it turns out that because the rim was bent a little on it the normal air trapped in between the rim and tube was just getting out quicker and creating bubbles in the lube. I ended up redoing it anyway just to be safe so I didn't get hit with lost points. My other project for the day was carburetor identification. We basically have to take one apart and identify all the parts, what they do and how they do it then put back together correctly. It's not hard at all.
Today I think I have to do my 4 stroke engine stuff. I'm not sure exactly since they keep changing the schedule around. I'm not scared.
I still can't wait for January. Two more classes to go then we're done with the basic training program and it's off to Harley!!!!!
We've started our final projects for this class and so far so good. I had to do two tire changes which kicked my ass since I've just never had to change a motorcycle tire before. I did it in Course 2 a few times but that was nine weeks ago. I didn't forget how to do them but if you've never done something like that and don't do it again after you learn how you just don't develop those tricks to getting it done right and quick. I thought I pinched one tube but it turns out that because the rim was bent a little on it the normal air trapped in between the rim and tube was just getting out quicker and creating bubbles in the lube. I ended up redoing it anyway just to be safe so I didn't get hit with lost points. My other project for the day was carburetor identification. We basically have to take one apart and identify all the parts, what they do and how they do it then put back together correctly. It's not hard at all.
Today I think I have to do my 4 stroke engine stuff. I'm not sure exactly since they keep changing the schedule around. I'm not scared.
I still can't wait for January. Two more classes to go then we're done with the basic training program and it's off to Harley!!!!!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Course 5 (week 2)
Yea I know I just did Course 6. No I didn't fail anything. The school has our group of 60 students broken up into blocks of 2 courses at a time. Half of us go to, for example, Course 5 and half to Course 6. Then we flip.
Course 5 is a maintenence course. Mostly its focused on carbs and not the kind you eat either. We're learning how to sync them, rebuild them, vacuum test them and hook em up to an EGA (Exhaust Gas Analyzer) and adjust them accordingly. They're also throwing a few tire changes, safety inspections and some tune up stuff at us too. The 2 stroke tune up section is kind of a joke to be honest with you though seeing as we haven't touched a 2 stroke motor to date. All our learning on that has been book learning.
I got a 90 on the first test. It wasn't exactly fair that they gave us the test the minute we walked back in the door from Thanksgiving break. Nothing like a total of 30 hours of driving, family headaches and general holiday stuff to get you ready for a test. I'm surprised I only got one question wrong.
I worked the EGA machine yesterday, did 2 safety inspections, did two valve adjustments and some paperwork. It was the first day of labwork. We have 3 more days of practice labs for the stuff gets graded. We sort of got the shaft on this as compared to a lot of other classes in that school was closed 2 days last week and we don't get the chance to make that time up or anything and we still have to finish the same amount of work. It definatly puts the pressure on but right now we don't need pressure. We need to be able to learn how to do the work RIGHT, then get our speed up. So far I've gotten everything pretty good but I feel so rushed and the information isn't sinking in like it does when I can take my time and soak it all up. Which brings me to my next point........
THE PROJECT! I should have just about all my equipment by the end of the week so this weekend will bring pictures of the bike as it sits right now before I do ANYTHING to it aside from having the battery on a trickle charger for the last 2 weeks. It should be good and charged up and ready to get going on these electrical systems tests. I think I'll be succesful in my goal to become a full on recluse once this gets started. The only way you'll see me is at the parts store or if you happen to drive by the garage and say hi.
Course 5 is a maintenence course. Mostly its focused on carbs and not the kind you eat either. We're learning how to sync them, rebuild them, vacuum test them and hook em up to an EGA (Exhaust Gas Analyzer) and adjust them accordingly. They're also throwing a few tire changes, safety inspections and some tune up stuff at us too. The 2 stroke tune up section is kind of a joke to be honest with you though seeing as we haven't touched a 2 stroke motor to date. All our learning on that has been book learning.
I got a 90 on the first test. It wasn't exactly fair that they gave us the test the minute we walked back in the door from Thanksgiving break. Nothing like a total of 30 hours of driving, family headaches and general holiday stuff to get you ready for a test. I'm surprised I only got one question wrong.
I worked the EGA machine yesterday, did 2 safety inspections, did two valve adjustments and some paperwork. It was the first day of labwork. We have 3 more days of practice labs for the stuff gets graded. We sort of got the shaft on this as compared to a lot of other classes in that school was closed 2 days last week and we don't get the chance to make that time up or anything and we still have to finish the same amount of work. It definatly puts the pressure on but right now we don't need pressure. We need to be able to learn how to do the work RIGHT, then get our speed up. So far I've gotten everything pretty good but I feel so rushed and the information isn't sinking in like it does when I can take my time and soak it all up. Which brings me to my next point........
THE PROJECT! I should have just about all my equipment by the end of the week so this weekend will bring pictures of the bike as it sits right now before I do ANYTHING to it aside from having the battery on a trickle charger for the last 2 weeks. It should be good and charged up and ready to get going on these electrical systems tests. I think I'll be succesful in my goal to become a full on recluse once this gets started. The only way you'll see me is at the parts store or if you happen to drive by the garage and say hi.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Course 6 DONE!
We finished up tonight and I'm happy to report you're reading the blog of the "Student of the Course"! I finished out with a 99.10 grade. I didn't get it by much though. The guy right below me had a 98.98 grade. Yea, you read it right. I got it by only .12 and needless to say he was NOT happy about it. Evidently he gets it quite often and was not happy about the new guy getting it. I personally couldn't care less if I get it or not. I'm not in the school to get top student awards. I'm there to get the best education that I can get and if I should happen to get the highest score then its a nice added bonus but I don't feel that I'm better than anyone else in there. I just got the better score that particular day.
On the final exam I scored a 96. I missed one question and I'm still kicking myself for getting it wrong. It was such a stupid mistake on a question about flat rate billing percentages that I'm not even going to dwell on it. I got a 100 on every single project we worked on and on a few of them I just barely got it.
While I don't feel I'm an expert by any means I do feel I have enough of a grasp of the basics to tear my own project motor apart and rebuild it. I plan on doing so as soon as I get back from Thanksgiving break. I've already started getting my information together from the service manual and getting my parts list squared away so I can order the stuff that I'm sure I'll need. I know there's gonna be stuff that I won't know about till I tear into it but it's to be expected.
The next class on the path is Course 5. Yes I know I just finished Course 6 but they schedule us out in blocks of two courses. Half the group goes to one and half the group goes to the other and then we switch. Course 5, I'm told, is maintenance work. I'm looking forward to this class. Probably more so than any other so far. It's the class that will realistically teach me the skills I need to save myself the most money on labor for my own bike.
Until the next update sometime next week.......peace!
On the final exam I scored a 96. I missed one question and I'm still kicking myself for getting it wrong. It was such a stupid mistake on a question about flat rate billing percentages that I'm not even going to dwell on it. I got a 100 on every single project we worked on and on a few of them I just barely got it.
While I don't feel I'm an expert by any means I do feel I have enough of a grasp of the basics to tear my own project motor apart and rebuild it. I plan on doing so as soon as I get back from Thanksgiving break. I've already started getting my information together from the service manual and getting my parts list squared away so I can order the stuff that I'm sure I'll need. I know there's gonna be stuff that I won't know about till I tear into it but it's to be expected.
The next class on the path is Course 5. Yes I know I just finished Course 6 but they schedule us out in blocks of two courses. Half the group goes to one and half the group goes to the other and then we switch. Course 5, I'm told, is maintenance work. I'm looking forward to this class. Probably more so than any other so far. It's the class that will realistically teach me the skills I need to save myself the most money on labor for my own bike.
Until the next update sometime next week.......peace!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Course 6 (week 2)
It's been a busy last few weeks for me, which would explain the lack of updates.
Course 6 has been fun so far. The course is all about engine diagnostics. We've had two tests and I've scored a 90 and a 100. We were given a rack with boards on it and on these boards were damaged engine parts. We had to figure out what the parts were, I say were because in a few cases there wasn't much left of the parts, then we had to figure out the damage to said part and what caused that damage. I've also taken apart an entire Evo motor top end and put it back together and started to completely take apart an entire Honda motor, and I mean ALL of it, and rebuild it. We have to then take this motor and put it in a frame, start it and not have it leak, smoke or blow up. Sounds easy enough doesn't it? Try it sometime if you haven't done it before. Next week I'll have the motor in the frame myself and hopefully it'll run without problem. I would have had it done already but I did all my other projects first so I wouldn't have to worry about rushing through this one. We'll also have to take two motorcycles that they have put together with broken parts and diagnose the problems based off noise.
Now for the reason behind the lack of updates.
I've decided that it's time to start a project of my own. I found a guy selling a Buell Blast and figured it'd be a good cheap practice bike to work on. If I don't put any of this stuff I'm learning to use it'll all dissapear quicker than money from a bank account. I'll be posting pictures from every step of the project. I've got a service manual for it coming and I'll start posting more about this, with the "before" pictures when it gets here.
Course 6 has been fun so far. The course is all about engine diagnostics. We've had two tests and I've scored a 90 and a 100. We were given a rack with boards on it and on these boards were damaged engine parts. We had to figure out what the parts were, I say were because in a few cases there wasn't much left of the parts, then we had to figure out the damage to said part and what caused that damage. I've also taken apart an entire Evo motor top end and put it back together and started to completely take apart an entire Honda motor, and I mean ALL of it, and rebuild it. We have to then take this motor and put it in a frame, start it and not have it leak, smoke or blow up. Sounds easy enough doesn't it? Try it sometime if you haven't done it before. Next week I'll have the motor in the frame myself and hopefully it'll run without problem. I would have had it done already but I did all my other projects first so I wouldn't have to worry about rushing through this one. We'll also have to take two motorcycles that they have put together with broken parts and diagnose the problems based off noise.
Now for the reason behind the lack of updates.
I've decided that it's time to start a project of my own. I found a guy selling a Buell Blast and figured it'd be a good cheap practice bike to work on. If I don't put any of this stuff I'm learning to use it'll all dissapear quicker than money from a bank account. I'll be posting pictures from every step of the project. I've got a service manual for it coming and I'll start posting more about this, with the "before" pictures when it gets here.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Course 4 - DONE!
We ended Course 4 tonight and it was a long night.
I'll start with the final exam since that's my low point of the course. It was 50 questions which was the biggest test we've had to date and we've covered more in depth material than any other course to date. Let me tell you they pulled stuff out of places I didn't think were in the book. I scored an 84 on the test and just about every question I got wrong, except one, was from subject matter we never put to use. There's no way we could do a project on every type of setup out there and it seems, so far, that if I'm not getting some hands on time with a topic then it's not really getting into my memory. I know right where to find the answer but unfortunatly you don't have that option during an exam.
For all my projects, the scores on the books are 100's across the board. My first two exams were both a 100 and piled up with my perfect attendance and other minor stuff they grade I've managed to pull a 98.7 GPA for this course.
The next course I'm going to will be Course 6. We do them in blocks of 2, Course 2 & 3 for example, and half of the original 60 go to one and the other half go to the other. Course 6 is supposed to be where we have to build a motor completely, fill it up with oil and gas, crank it up and it's gotta run and run right. It's go time!
Well, I'm off for now. The fun is coming quick so get ready for some updates next week.
I'll start with the final exam since that's my low point of the course. It was 50 questions which was the biggest test we've had to date and we've covered more in depth material than any other course to date. Let me tell you they pulled stuff out of places I didn't think were in the book. I scored an 84 on the test and just about every question I got wrong, except one, was from subject matter we never put to use. There's no way we could do a project on every type of setup out there and it seems, so far, that if I'm not getting some hands on time with a topic then it's not really getting into my memory. I know right where to find the answer but unfortunatly you don't have that option during an exam.
For all my projects, the scores on the books are 100's across the board. My first two exams were both a 100 and piled up with my perfect attendance and other minor stuff they grade I've managed to pull a 98.7 GPA for this course.
The next course I'm going to will be Course 6. We do them in blocks of 2, Course 2 & 3 for example, and half of the original 60 go to one and the other half go to the other. Course 6 is supposed to be where we have to build a motor completely, fill it up with oil and gas, crank it up and it's gotta run and run right. It's go time!
Well, I'm off for now. The fun is coming quick so get ready for some updates next week.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Course 4 - Week 3 (part 2)
Tonight was the second test for the electrical class. I got myself another 100 in the books. We had a little last minute cram session right before class and it's a good thing I jumped in because a few of the points we hit on I think I would have missed on the test. It's quite a bit of information to try and remember and I'm really scared of the final. I don't think I'll be able to remember it all and as much as I'd like to get a 100 on that too, if I don't, I won't start ripping my hair out. It's definatly preferable to remember the information but its more important to know where to get the information when you need it and then put it to use.
Other than the exam we worked on making a final block diagram of an ignition system. It's a little tricky because it's different from any other type of bike we've worked on in our practices and final labs.
We're having a slight revolution in our class. Evidently quite a few of the people aren't exactly happy with the way the instructor is teaching. They aren't quite grasping the material and are really struggling with it. From what I gather they seem to think it's the way he's teaching it. The guy we have is sort of a substitute since our original instructor got sick and then a few days later started his vacation. He, our current instructor, normally teaches the advanced electronics class and I think the problem they're running into is that he's used to teaching students that already have the fundamentals down and we don't. I've noticed he likes to respond to a question with a question. It can be frustrating at that exact point in time but it does make you think. The only problem I see with that method though is that you have to understand the base material to be able to figure out your own problem, if that makes sense, and a lot of these guys don't.
I'm trying not to lose my cool with him but I have a few times and I've told him that I'm sorry for doing but that I was just frustrated and I've also told him that I realize that it's easier having the answers handed to you but it's more rewarding to figure it out.
Other than the exam we worked on making a final block diagram of an ignition system. It's a little tricky because it's different from any other type of bike we've worked on in our practices and final labs.
We're having a slight revolution in our class. Evidently quite a few of the people aren't exactly happy with the way the instructor is teaching. They aren't quite grasping the material and are really struggling with it. From what I gather they seem to think it's the way he's teaching it. The guy we have is sort of a substitute since our original instructor got sick and then a few days later started his vacation. He, our current instructor, normally teaches the advanced electronics class and I think the problem they're running into is that he's used to teaching students that already have the fundamentals down and we don't. I've noticed he likes to respond to a question with a question. It can be frustrating at that exact point in time but it does make you think. The only problem I see with that method though is that you have to understand the base material to be able to figure out your own problem, if that makes sense, and a lot of these guys don't.
I'm trying not to lose my cool with him but I have a few times and I've told him that I'm sorry for doing but that I was just frustrated and I've also told him that I realize that it's easier having the answers handed to you but it's more rewarding to figure it out.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Course 4 - Week 2
We had our first test of the course tonight. I got a 100 on it. According to the instructor this was the "free pass" test. It was only 10 questions and it was real easy. The next test is going to be 25 questions then the final is 50 questions and its a real ball breaker. Everyone says you really have to study for it.
I've finished all my practice projects that we can do and I've started into my primary final projects. I finished two of them tonight and got 100 on both of them. The lab projects aren't really the hard part of this course. The book learning is the hard part. At least for me anyway.
I'll be updating again Friday night.
I've finished all my practice projects that we can do and I've started into my primary final projects. I finished two of them tonight and got 100 on both of them. The lab projects aren't really the hard part of this course. The book learning is the hard part. At least for me anyway.
I'll be updating again Friday night.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Course 4- Week 1
We're pretty well into the Electrical course and we've covered the basics from the Theory class and started to get into more detail. We hit on the starter systems, had a demo and started testing the starter systems on a Honda, Kawasaki and a Suzuki. We aren't given a Harley to test. Why I'm not sure. We get a different answer every time we ask so I've given up asking. Part of the testing of these systems has been drawing out a block diagram from the schematics. Reading the schematics isn't really hard. The hard part is knowing exactly what the instructors want us to pull from the schematics for the diagrams.
I have to admit that I'm having fun with this part of it. It's challenging looking at the schematic and finding that wire on the bike. It's nice when you get it right quick.
Next week we're supposed to hit on the charging systems and the ignition systems so I'll be ready to cause some real damage soon enough.
I have to admit that I'm having fun with this part of it. It's challenging looking at the schematic and finding that wire on the bike. It's nice when you get it right quick.
Next week we're supposed to hit on the charging systems and the ignition systems so I'll be ready to cause some real damage soon enough.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Course 3....almost done!
I didn't get a chance to post last weekend as it was my birthday and work decided it was gonna tack on a few hours as a present! Sorry about that.
Course 3 has been running fairly smoothly. I've reconditioned some valve seats, bored a cylinder and honed it, cooked a head and popped out the valve guides and replaced em, pushed out another set of valve guides with a press, taken apart 2 crank shafts and trued them and got to do a few bolt extractions which was cake walk work.
The cylinder boring and valve seat reconditioning was the hardest part but mostly, I think, due to the fact that these are "training aids" as the school likes to call them. I call them motorcycle parts that are FUBAR. I spent 2 hours just trying to get the cylinder back in round so I could begin trying to make a smooth cut on it. The valve seats..well lets just say...umm..let's not say. It took me all night to get one straightened out and done. I'm no professional at this stuff by any means and I'm sure a pro could have done them both in an hour or so but I suppose it was a good learning experience. The instructor told me at one point "this is good so you can recognize it out in the field". My reponse to that was "if I see this out in the field I'm gonna take their bike away from them".
I've enjoyed getting my hands dirty and we've certainly done that in this class. I know the fun is just getting started though. The next step for us is the Basic Electronics class or Course 4. I'm really looking forward to this one. I have gotten my feet wet in electronics before. Not so much on motorcycles but through home theaters and such. Electronics are electronics or so I think. I'm sure there will be some surprises awaiting me and I look for a challenge in it. I hope there's one there. I do know that there are more and more electronics popping up on bikes every model year and if you're good at diagnosing and fixing a problem with it you'll be in demand. One thing I'm not looking forward to is seeing someone do the ol "cut and splice with electrical tape" method of repairing something. I know i'll see someone do it and I might have to slap em in the back of the head because i've had to troubleshoot and repair some wires like that before and it's not fun. All that fun isn't till next week though.
Friday night is our final exam for Course 3. I have all my projects already turned in and have gotten perfect scores on them all. This instructor is really helpful with them and doesn't rule with an iron fist when it comes to scoring them. You really have to try to get a minor, points off if you remember, and you practically have to drop something on his foot or break something to get a major, a lot of points off. His attitude has been "I didn't hire you to bore cylinders...etc. You're here to learn and if you learn then you're doing what you're here to do. If not then you lose points" He goes off in weird directions in coversations some times but overall he's a good guy.
I'll try to get a post in by Sunday, if not Friday night and let you know what my final exam score is. Until then........
Course 3 has been running fairly smoothly. I've reconditioned some valve seats, bored a cylinder and honed it, cooked a head and popped out the valve guides and replaced em, pushed out another set of valve guides with a press, taken apart 2 crank shafts and trued them and got to do a few bolt extractions which was cake walk work.
The cylinder boring and valve seat reconditioning was the hardest part but mostly, I think, due to the fact that these are "training aids" as the school likes to call them. I call them motorcycle parts that are FUBAR. I spent 2 hours just trying to get the cylinder back in round so I could begin trying to make a smooth cut on it. The valve seats..well lets just say...umm..let's not say. It took me all night to get one straightened out and done. I'm no professional at this stuff by any means and I'm sure a pro could have done them both in an hour or so but I suppose it was a good learning experience. The instructor told me at one point "this is good so you can recognize it out in the field". My reponse to that was "if I see this out in the field I'm gonna take their bike away from them".
I've enjoyed getting my hands dirty and we've certainly done that in this class. I know the fun is just getting started though. The next step for us is the Basic Electronics class or Course 4. I'm really looking forward to this one. I have gotten my feet wet in electronics before. Not so much on motorcycles but through home theaters and such. Electronics are electronics or so I think. I'm sure there will be some surprises awaiting me and I look for a challenge in it. I hope there's one there. I do know that there are more and more electronics popping up on bikes every model year and if you're good at diagnosing and fixing a problem with it you'll be in demand. One thing I'm not looking forward to is seeing someone do the ol "cut and splice with electrical tape" method of repairing something. I know i'll see someone do it and I might have to slap em in the back of the head because i've had to troubleshoot and repair some wires like that before and it's not fun. All that fun isn't till next week though.
Friday night is our final exam for Course 3. I have all my projects already turned in and have gotten perfect scores on them all. This instructor is really helpful with them and doesn't rule with an iron fist when it comes to scoring them. You really have to try to get a minor, points off if you remember, and you practically have to drop something on his foot or break something to get a major, a lot of points off. His attitude has been "I didn't hire you to bore cylinders...etc. You're here to learn and if you learn then you're doing what you're here to do. If not then you lose points" He goes off in weird directions in coversations some times but overall he's a good guy.
I'll try to get a post in by Sunday, if not Friday night and let you know what my final exam score is. Until then........
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Week 13 & Course 2 Done----Week 14 Course 3 underway
Sorry I didn't update last weekend. I got a little caught up in some projects around the house so this post will be a big one.
Lets start where I left off. I was finishing up Course 2 (Suspension, Wheels, Tires) and we were getting ready for our final exam. I finished all my projects with perfect scores except for one. I had to remove a rear wheel, remove the tire from the rim and put it back, put the wheel back on the bike and adjust the belt. I screwed up and didn't pump the brake pressure back up when I was done. I didn't even think to do it while the bike was on the lift as I ALWAYS check the brakes when I get on a bike before I even start it and I just thought I would do it before what would have been the test ride but I should have done it while it was on the lift. The rules of project were to make the bike ready to hand off to the customer...I just got excited that it was the last project and I was heading towards a 100% for the entire course. Live and learn. I got a 100% on the final exam and finished out the course with a 99%. I gave it my best really and I'm happy with it. While I don't consider myself an expert on anything we covered yet, I do feel I have a good grasp of the basics and I'm ready to hit these topics again in the later courses where we'll cover them in more detail.
We started into Course 3 (Machine Shop & Precision Measuring) and have finished the first week. This instructor really has us on cruise control and doesn't seem to have any desire to let us get into high gear. It's a good thing too because boring and honing cylinders is a skill that takes much patience as I found out Friday night when I got a little jumpy and cut too much out on my first practice run. That's why they call it practice and that's why we are using junk cylinders that we can't hurt too bad. The measuring exercise was just a repeat of stuff we did in Course 1 to help nail the skills in a little harder. I didn't have a problem at all with that. I haven't been able to get into honing the cylinder quite yet as the equipment available for everyone to use is extremely limited for some odd reason in this course and we have to share quite a bit. It makes it hard to get a lot of time working on these projects but we seem to be making it work so far.
I find myself more and more hating Friday's just because it means I have two days of no learning on the weekends. I'm looking into buying a salvage motorcycle from one of the auction places around here so I can just tear it up on the weekends and play around with it. I don't have any illusions of fixing it up to ride though. I just want some more practice and I figure a wrecked bike is the way to go since I can't hurt it.
Oh..........and in case you were wondering, I got a 100 on the first exam in Course 3.
I'll try to update again around Wednesday. I'm also still running with 100% attendance too! Not one minute missed to date.
Lets start where I left off. I was finishing up Course 2 (Suspension, Wheels, Tires) and we were getting ready for our final exam. I finished all my projects with perfect scores except for one. I had to remove a rear wheel, remove the tire from the rim and put it back, put the wheel back on the bike and adjust the belt. I screwed up and didn't pump the brake pressure back up when I was done. I didn't even think to do it while the bike was on the lift as I ALWAYS check the brakes when I get on a bike before I even start it and I just thought I would do it before what would have been the test ride but I should have done it while it was on the lift. The rules of project were to make the bike ready to hand off to the customer...I just got excited that it was the last project and I was heading towards a 100% for the entire course. Live and learn. I got a 100% on the final exam and finished out the course with a 99%. I gave it my best really and I'm happy with it. While I don't consider myself an expert on anything we covered yet, I do feel I have a good grasp of the basics and I'm ready to hit these topics again in the later courses where we'll cover them in more detail.
We started into Course 3 (Machine Shop & Precision Measuring) and have finished the first week. This instructor really has us on cruise control and doesn't seem to have any desire to let us get into high gear. It's a good thing too because boring and honing cylinders is a skill that takes much patience as I found out Friday night when I got a little jumpy and cut too much out on my first practice run. That's why they call it practice and that's why we are using junk cylinders that we can't hurt too bad. The measuring exercise was just a repeat of stuff we did in Course 1 to help nail the skills in a little harder. I didn't have a problem at all with that. I haven't been able to get into honing the cylinder quite yet as the equipment available for everyone to use is extremely limited for some odd reason in this course and we have to share quite a bit. It makes it hard to get a lot of time working on these projects but we seem to be making it work so far.
I find myself more and more hating Friday's just because it means I have two days of no learning on the weekends. I'm looking into buying a salvage motorcycle from one of the auction places around here so I can just tear it up on the weekends and play around with it. I don't have any illusions of fixing it up to ride though. I just want some more practice and I figure a wrecked bike is the way to go since I can't hurt it.
Oh..........and in case you were wondering, I got a 100 on the first exam in Course 3.
I'll try to update again around Wednesday. I'm also still running with 100% attendance too! Not one minute missed to date.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Week 12 (almost done with Course 2)
Since my last post we finshed up our practice projects and took another test. I got a 100 on the test (yay me!) and did ok on the rest of the projects. We took apart the front end of a Sportster, took apart the forks of an old 3-wheeler, did more tires, laced more wheels and did a brake job. The front end job was a little intimidating at first but we muscled through. We definatly need more practice on everything before touching a customer bike. You gotta be careful with scratches and where certain fluids drip. I know I'd be a little upset at scratches and brake fluid dripped on my bars.
This week we have started our graded projects. So far I've gotten perfect scores on my projects and I've only got 5 left to do. I think it's going well. I came close to losing some points a few times but the fact that I was watching someone else get graded right before me allowed me to see them screw up and I fixed mine before I called the teacher to check it. A few old wise men always told me "the easiest way to learn is to watch someone else screw up" and believe me, I'm taking full advantage of that.
Our final exam is friday night like always. The next class we do is either going to be electrical or engine work. I'd rather be in either of those than in the one I'm in now to be honest with you. I'd rather be back in the theory class. Oh well. Almost done!
This week we have started our graded projects. So far I've gotten perfect scores on my projects and I've only got 5 left to do. I think it's going well. I came close to losing some points a few times but the fact that I was watching someone else get graded right before me allowed me to see them screw up and I fixed mine before I called the teacher to check it. A few old wise men always told me "the easiest way to learn is to watch someone else screw up" and believe me, I'm taking full advantage of that.
Our final exam is friday night like always. The next class we do is either going to be electrical or engine work. I'd rather be in either of those than in the one I'm in now to be honest with you. I'd rather be back in the theory class. Oh well. Almost done!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
MMI Week 8 (Done)
I got another 100 on the test Friday night. Again it wasn't that complicated a test so I'm not patting myself on the back for it but a 100 is a 100. What I am proud of myself for is getting perfect scores on all the tasks we've had so far. You have to do (example numbers here) 15 primary tasks and 10 secondary ones. These can range from answering 50 questions from a service manual or owners manual to tearing down a transmission, or engine or both and measuring all the insides. I'm working with another person, not by choice, and we've just about completed all the primary tasks and we've started the secondary ones. We have till 10pm Friday night next week to finish all of them. We were cruising through them all pretty good till last night when I went to get some computer parts systems tasks done while he started taking the transmission apart so we could finish measuring.....big mistake. I shouldn't have turned my back on him. I got over there and he had it apart but he let a couple other people start asking him questions and it messed him up with the measurements. It took us all night to get it straightened out. We should have finished that task, the computer tasks and made strong progress, if not finished one or two secondary tasks. So now next week we'll have to bust our butts to finish all the tasks. If we can continue to get all the projects perfect we'll finish the class with a 100.
It aggrivates him when I make us measure stuff two and three times then sometimes recheck it again if the numbers look even a little off. Too bad. I'm not gonna get in the habit of half assing the numbers. When you're talking about a transmission a little number fudge could very well get someones transmission locked up when they're doing 60mph and kill them. I'm not having that on my head. Let alone the ruined reputation for half assed work.
I'm starting to get a little more comfortable with tearing into stuff and putting it back together. All the mixed up terminology used around the school is driving me nuts though I must admit. Something as simple as a bolt could have 10 different names and screwing it in could be described in as many ways.
I'm sticking with my plan of going slow and doing it right as opposed to fast and fix it later. In my experience its easier to spend some time getting faster and doing it right first than to spend time fixing it when you did it faster first.
It aggrivates him when I make us measure stuff two and three times then sometimes recheck it again if the numbers look even a little off. Too bad. I'm not gonna get in the habit of half assing the numbers. When you're talking about a transmission a little number fudge could very well get someones transmission locked up when they're doing 60mph and kill them. I'm not having that on my head. Let alone the ruined reputation for half assed work.
I'm starting to get a little more comfortable with tearing into stuff and putting it back together. All the mixed up terminology used around the school is driving me nuts though I must admit. Something as simple as a bolt could have 10 different names and screwing it in could be described in as many ways.
I'm sticking with my plan of going slow and doing it right as opposed to fast and fix it later. In my experience its easier to spend some time getting faster and doing it right first than to spend time fixing it when you did it faster first.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
MMI Week 8
It's been a lot of the same from last week. We're still measuring but we're taking apart a little more to do it. The engines are getting a little more complicated and we're getting frustrated with new parts instead of the old ones. I'm starting to realize I like getting ticked off and pulling my hair out because it just means I'm doing something I haven't done before and it's forcing my brain to work. Don't try and tell me that when I'm in the middle of pulling out my hair though. You might get hit with a wrench.
I'll enjoy this even more, I think, when I don't have to do it with someone else and I can sit there and stare at something for a minute while trying to figure it out and not have to deal with "here lemme do it!". It's nice to have another person to bounce ideas off of but I enjoy trying to figure out something myself a little more.
This is a VERY tedious class with a lot of staring at micrometers. I'm starting to get a headache from doing it 100 times a night but in the end it'll help me learn it and I know that so I suck it up and get to it.
Tonight we start on transmissions. I think. It doesn't matter really. It's still better than towing cars or pulling cables through walls.
I'll enjoy this even more, I think, when I don't have to do it with someone else and I can sit there and stare at something for a minute while trying to figure it out and not have to deal with "here lemme do it!". It's nice to have another person to bounce ideas off of but I enjoy trying to figure out something myself a little more.
This is a VERY tedious class with a lot of staring at micrometers. I'm starting to get a headache from doing it 100 times a night but in the end it'll help me learn it and I know that so I suck it up and get to it.
Tonight we start on transmissions. I think. It doesn't matter really. It's still better than towing cars or pulling cables through walls.
Friday, August 14, 2009
MMI Week 7 - Coming to a close
The first week in Course 1 is just about done. We've been over precision measuring and I've gotten pretty good at it, I think. We've gotten to tear down a small motor a few times to measure things like piston size, piston ring gap, cylinder size and such. Taking out the valves was easy. Getting those damned little keepers back in there is another story. Once you get the hang of doing it, it's not too bad. I'll just say there were some colorful words flying around the room, from all the tables, the other night when we first started doing it. Large fingers are NOT your friend when doing this sort of task. I'm starting to calm down and get a little more comfortable with the whole process as is most everyone else in the room.
I did have to blow up a little last night on 2 people for bugging me to death. They kept asking me for help on something that I was not working on and it was messing me up and I sort of lost it on them. I told them I didn't mind helping them learn something but not when it was going to interfere with what I was doing and trying to learn. I stick by my previous statement that I'm paying to go to school to learn how to do this stuff myself and not to learn how to teach others how to do it.
Madden 10 came out for the XBOX 360 last night so its a good distraction for my brain. Nothing like a little football game for 30 minutes or so to take the edge off during a study session. It helps to unlock your brain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
