Welcome to Omgili,
Omgili ( Oh My God I Love It ;) is a search engine for discussions. With Omgili you can find answers and solutions, debates, discussions, personal experiences, opinions and more... To learn more about Omgili click here.
This is a complete preview of the discussion as it was indexed by Omgili crawlers. Use this preview if the original discussion is unavailable.
Click here to view the original discussion.
 |
|
 |
|
Porting education and engine performance careers - Dirt Rider . Net, Dirt Bikes - Motocross - Off-Road - Supercross
I was wondering if there is anybody that runs schools for motor modification, big bores, and pipe building?
I am EXTREMELY interested in this subject and would like to learn without trial and error and someday start a buisness like Eric has for moderately priced engine mods, suspension mods, and pipe manufacturing.
I already have a pretty good sense of what to do but nothing like the vast knowledge of Eric.
I have bought the book "2 stroke performance tuning" by A.
Grahm Bell and found it extremely helpful but still very confusing and hard to understand.
Would it be a good idea to buy a bike with extra cylinders and experiment on that?
In the school that I go to, you can take the spring simester off to do a "senior project".
You can work, build a go-kart or apprentice anywhere.
Is there anyone in the porting buisness that does apprenticeships that are not just sweeping floors, really learning the trade.
I would even do it for free.
I really want to make motorcycle performance my career as an adult, but I don't have the slightest idea where to get started.
Sorry for rambling on and please help
Thank you very much for responding.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
I agree with you that it really seems that you need to fall into a performance career.
I understand that the grunge work is the best way to get started, but my parents don't wan't me to do that sort of thing.
They want me to go to college and become a mechanical engineer.
I agree with them, but once you have the degree how could you, for example get a job as mcgrath's mechanic or work in honda 's R&D shop?
I really want to get a job in this sort of field, but I don't know where to get started.
My parents are willing to buy me porting tools and get me educaterd as long as I carry through twith the career.
I know that you(Eric) runs classes and I am interested in those.
If you don't mind Eric could you tell me what is taught in those classes?
Also, how did you get started in your career?
Did you figure it out, aprentice somewhere, or learn from books?
Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eric is exactly right in what he says.
My advice would be to get an engineering apprenticeship (in any form of mechanical engineering )that allows you to study part time, day release, evening classes e.t.c.
That way with the right studies and practical experience you get a solid grounding.
Then if you feel the need for more education go for the degree.
Of the degree educated engineers I know the best have done it this way.
As for working with race teams, if you can find a team who will let you help out (a few take on keen young kids with the right attitude, ie those willing to do the nasty dirty jobs and smile about it for no pay.
)Then you are mixing in the right circles keep your head down, work hard ask lots of questions - you learn.
If you are good you progress.
There is no direct access to the top.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You didn't tell us your age, kx125.
I'm figuring you are 16 to 18,no insult meant if I am way off.
You and I have a few things in common,grew up in CT.,middleclass folks,(yours might be way-upper-middle,)and very curious about engines.
Only main difference is I'm 46, got the BSME, worked in aerospace industry,worked in fabricating shops, worked for the man who KNOWS more about two-strokes than anyone(EYVIND BOYESEN),and have been in the engine performance business too long.
You should call me and we can talk about career choices.Do your math and physics homework, listen to the teachers that still have a gleam in their eyes, AND get the porting tools.
Plan on going to college and learning the engineering end of it,BUT get some marketing and business education.
The technical side of it is honestly the easy part.
The main players in the motorcycle tuning industry don't really do anything unique, they just present it well!
You live only 2 1/2 hrs.
From me and could easily visit and get a feel for the industry.
Call me.
Wes Gilbert
president of Boyesen Precision Porting
888-boyesen 888-269-3736
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm 15 Wes. I guess I will take you up on your offer and I will call you on monday(I assume boyesen is closed on weekends).
Thank you very much
Aaron Silidker
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aaron,
Call me in the afternoon.
I have to go to the hospital and talk about my daughters sleep test.
Jeremy just won with an experimental RAD valve hand made by Mr.Boyesen.
Cool! Now if you go to college, learn about fluids,physics,thermodynamics,and have a feel and understanding for mechanical things you may come up with the NEXT great engine improvement.Remember that all the great knowledge and understanding(the tools) won't get you anywhere without the drive, desire, and ambition to complete things.
You have to know how to work.
I hope your parents have taught you that.
Too much philosophy too late at night,
Thanks,
Wes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Great advice Wes!
Thanks for providing another opinion on this important subject.
I know that we joke about some of the stuff in the motorcycle industry, about the same old guys who get the great magazine reviews but actually spend more time engraving their logo in the side of the cylinder than porting it!
But most of these kids only know what they're presented in MXA and Dirt Rider.
Your offer to let this young man interview you is great, imagine if we had more of that advice when we were teens.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KawieKX125,
There is some great advice here.
I agree with all of it.
You may also want to look into an associates degree in Mechanical Technology.
They give you some theory but then back it up with hands on practical applications (lab work) so you can understand how it all actually works.
If you still yearn for or need more theory you can transfer to a 4 year school to get your BS.
Check with your school guidance counselor on taking this path to make sure you get into a curriculum in a two year school that can be transferred to a four year school.
I was married at 19 and worked full time while getting my associates degree in Mechanical Tech.
I never went on to get my BS but I had enough engineering training to at least know what I needed to learn and took jobs that would give me the experience that I needed.
That was over 20 years ago.
The biggest problem I had was getting my foot in the door with out the BS degree.
I had to almost work for free but once I proved myself I advanced quickly.
A lot of companies want you to have that paper in your hand before they will even look at you for a job.
Some of it has to do with liability issues and credibility of the design engineer in court.
But some of it is if they see two unknowns and one has the degree and the other doesnt, they are going to lean toward hiring the degreed person.
I guess my point is if you can then get the degree, get it.
You dont need it but it will save you a lot of time in the long run.
Wess suggestion on the business courses is excellent too.
Take a look at an associates degree.
It will give you a lot of hands on experience.
In any case get your hands dirty because there is no way you can learn everything you need to know from a book.
If you show your parents that you have a plan for your education, whether it be sweeping up milling chips and learning form there or going through with the 4 year degree, they may be more willing to give you some lee way in how you get your training.
Most parents (me included with my own son) will find it hard to believe that a 15 year old knows what they want to do with their life yet.
They just want to make sure that you will have something to fall back onto if the direction you choose doesnt work out for you.
You are lucky that you have parents that care enough about your future.
Work with them, not against them.
You both have the same goal
for you to be successful and happy in life.
Keep an open mind and question and learn everything you can.
Good luck
if you gett real good I'll let you port my cylinders http://dirtrider.net/ubb2/smile.gif
Dave
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quote: :
I was wondering if there is anybody that runs schools for motor modification, big bores, and pipe building?
I am EXTREMELY interested in this subject and would like to learn without trial and error and someday start a buisness like Eric has for moderately priced engine mods, suspension mods, and pipe manufacturing.
I already have a pretty good sense of what to do but nothing like the vast knowledge of Eric.
I have bought the book "2 stroke performance tuning" by A.
Grahm Bell and found it extremely helpful but still very confusing and hard to understand.
Would it be a good idea to buy a bike with extra cylinders and experiment on that?
In the school that I go to, you can take the spring simester off to do a "senior project".
You can work, build a go-kart or apprentice anywhere.
Is there anyone in the porting buisness that does apprenticeships that are not just sweeping floors, really learning the trade.
I would even do it for free.
I really want to make motorcycle performance my career as an adult, but I don't have the slightest idea where to get started.
Sorry for rambling on and please help
Thank you very much for responding.
Now if your really interested in learning about 2-strokes see about enrolling for college at The Queens Univ.
Of Belfast, Ireland under some of the true guru's of 2-stroke technology, Prof Blair and his colleagues.
His students are sought after by even the factories.
Now you can please your parents and learn about 2-strokes.
Later
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|