New member, Old wrench

[LHanded Lead Foot]

I have been an ASE Master Tech since 1978 and was lucky. I never went to school for Tech's, but did and learned on my own. Motorcycles in the 70's was the Honda CB350 and I hooked. Bought metric tools and a Yamaha step-thru in a basket, got it running. Asked a lot of questions, hung out with two brothers that raced each other from a small town. They built their cars in the same garage separated by a bed sheet. A guy opened a 2 man shop and hired me when flat rate was $6 an hour. He told me, he learned more in 3 years working in a speed shop, than 18 years he spent in a Chrysler dealer. He was right and taught me a lot. My metric wrenches led to imports when no one would work on them. Lucky? Not sure but I found a clear landing spot that allowed me years in a Datsun dealer, then an independent shop who need a "Scab" tech. Later, the Buick dealer needed an Isuzu tech as GM took on the GEO line into Chevy dealers and had to dump Isuzu. I was the only tech who applied and was hired within 20 minutes. Datsun / Nissan was into training, both at a regional school and in shop. Once again, I am working on something no one wanted. But winter came and I had 5 stalls full & nine Buick techs where playing cards. I did not race, but built engines, transmissions, power glides w/dual pumps, no torque convertor for guys that did race. In 1993, I put a new laptop in my tool box and ran a line into the office to a modem. Next thing you know, I was updating computers, programming computers and tech thought I was crazy. Bought my own TECH2, taught a night class for SnapOn and was paid & handed a complete TECH1. Off into 4 gas analyzer and only one other tech use it. My wife lets me buy a new motorcycle every 30 years...due for a new one in 16 more years. Yea!

[pajeff02]

Welcome to the site!