Hey SGland. What's up? I hope that everyone is well.
Twenty-two years ago today I began my career as a certified Harley-Davidson service technician after spending just over a year attending tech school. I have spent all but a year and a half at the same dealership. Back in 2004 I left the dealer to go to work for a friend of mine who was opening a small independent shop. That only lasted a year because they ran out of money. They actually ran out of money in less than a year but I tried like hell to keep things afloat. When I began to need money I went to work for another dealer where I knew one of the service writers. I didn't like it there much as there were too many politics in the shop. After 4 months there I left. About 2 months later I got back in at my original dealer and life was good again.
At my tech school they taught us that professionals were technicians, not mechanics. My school was fully endorsed by Harley. They do life time graduate placement, not that I'm looking to go anywhere, but that is how I got my interview in 1998. Over the course of my career I have worked with probably at least 50 different people in the service department, some techs and some mechanics. I don't think that I know 10 that are still in the business. It's a difficult job. Things are constantly changing with the advancement of technology. It's a constant learning process. The clientele is completely different than when I started. The accessories that people put on their bikes has completely changed. It used to be loud pipes and chrome, now it's sound systems and LED accent lights. Harley used to put thermometers on their baggers for years. I told a customer one time that it was useless crap on a Harley. I'm old school. I ride a 1992 Softail Custom. The wind is music to my soul.
The thing that I love the most is that everyday is different. You never know what's going to roll in the door. I have seen some really cool bikes. I have seen some real rats. I have seen spotless bikes that are loved and bikes that are totally neglected by their owner. Another cool thing is that after all of this time I still see things that I can say, I've never seen that before.
My current manager and I worked in the shop together for about 13 years before he took over as service manager a year and a half ago. Needless to say, we have a ton of mutual respect for each other. I'm the guy that will take on anything, even if the job sucks, because I know that it is all about taking care of the customer. He knows too that I love to keep older bikes on the road. That is my real passion. I have Harley oil running through my veins. I hope that my body holds up for another 8 years so that I can hit 30 years as a Harley tech.
I just wanted to share this milestone with you. Thank you for reading.
Be safe, be happy and be cool. Peace. ✌
