1983 Suzuki GS1100ED --- "Big Boy"

Make sure that the throttle drum is not bottomed out on the end of the handlebar.

I'm gonna go check right now. Be back with pics.

[TeamDar]

Make sure that the throttle drum is not bottomed out on the end of the handlebar.

Do not get sucked into the tool truck revolving credit nightmare!

Snap on is the worst... Well the tools are nice, they just cost 5 times what they should. Go to sears, home depot, Lowe's, anywhere that has a lifetime warranty. At least if it breaks you know where to go for a replacement. I have a drawer FULL of broken snap on tools and haven't had a rep to return them to in 5 years. A lot of food the warranty does me now.

If it's a cooperate shop it will say "mastercare" somewhere by the firestone logo.

I actually don't like Snap On wrenches. They're too shiny and slippery. But tools will be my first investment.

Is that going to be fine you think?

Seriously, congrats on the job !

Oh, I'll be fine. Believe it or not, I've never done drugs or anything. Never even smoked! It appears that everyone is doing it these days.... No trouble with the law either.


Alright. Bike stuff. My throttle cable arrived today. I'll install it later tonight and hopefully the throttle grip will snap back instead of slowly going back. If not, it's got to be the carb springs.

[psyguy]

Gotta do drug testing and background check tomorrow

Is that going to be fine you think?

Seriously, congrats on the job !

Do not get sucked into the tool truck revolving credit nightmare!

Snap on is the worst... Well the tools are nice, they just cost 5 times what they should. Go to sears, home depot, Lowe's, anywhere that has a lifetime warranty. At least if it breaks you know where to go for a replacement. I have a drawer FULL of broken snap on tools and haven't had a rep to return them to in 5 years. A lot of food the warranty does me now.

If it's a cooperate shop it will say "mastercare" somewhere by the firestone logo.

The reason shops like to pay in flat rape are numerous: no pay for cleaning or anything else not involving vehicle labor, they make the same amount regardless of how long it takes you, and the more you make, the more they make.

Make sure you understand all the ins and outs of it. I made $4.35 an hour on my paycheck once (and walked out that same day) after 2 weeks of detailing and shop upkeep that I was supposedly flagging hours on.

The Snap On/Mac/Matco/Cornwell tool trucks are a great place to get in A LOT of trouble. Allow yourself a budget, and don't exceed it. At one point my truck tab was over $6000... I had to have that orange 4s rollaway.

Lots of type A personalities in there. I'm not sure how much line work they get, but if you have a spare 5 minutes, help out the senior guys. I made good friends with the lead tech at VW, and he kicked just about everything under .8 hours my way.

righton

Congratulations on the job.

Some things to think of;
Don't get comfortable, make friends but understand that in a heartbeat, fellow workers will throw you under a bus.
Don't share too much personal info. I have been in workplaces where I know way too much about a boss/employee's life.
Learn as much as possible, get new skills and certs that become available on company dime.
Always have an exit plan if you unfortunately find yourself needing to find a new job.
Network! Every job has networking opportunities.

Save money! set aside an amount each paycheck for what i call the oh sh*t fund. Never know when something breaks down, tickets, etc.


good luck

Good advice. I'm saving $200 each paycheck.

Congrats FC!

Sounds like there'll be some pressure to do stuff quickly to get the earnings and efficiency up, but do yourself a favour and start off slow (not so slow you get fired of course) and make sure you learn everything and do a full and proper job.

Then, when you get efficient doing a full and proper job, you'll leave behind the guys who do a half arsed job just so they can do it quick

I would imagine if you get similar efficiency to someone doing a half arsed job, then you should become more valuable to your employer, and that's when they start taking notice and good things happen!

Youre on flat rate, or as we refer to it in the business, "flat rape". I've worked for Firestone a combined twelve years, and it's where I'm at right now. It can be a great place to work, or the worst. A lot depends on the manager.

Watch your flat rate hours carefully. It's extremely easy for front shop guys, or the manager to take advantage and have you working for free.

Also remember that quality inspections are where you make your money. That form is law, and you shouldn't deviate. Is this a corporate owned shop? Or an independent?

I hope I will survive on flat rate. For the first 2 weeks, I will be paid by the hour like a normal job. After that, it's flat rate. I'm not sure who owns this. I will check.

Congrats on the new job! It is nice having a regular source of income, especially when you have no other expenses! A whole new world of possibilities will open itself.

Oh yeah! You know where that money is going to.

Congrads Allen!

Thanks for all the advice! This is my first job so keep the advice coming.

Alrighty. We've already gone through some required stuff. First of all, I will need my own set of tools. For now, I can borrow the shop's tools. Snap On vans will be coming to the shop every Friday. But if you know me, I like to order stuff online for the best deals.

So if I was the person that installed a tire and the wheel falls off while driving or something like that, I will be immediately fired. If the oil leaks very bad causing the engine to blow or seize, I will also be immediately fired.

So that's why we have the double check system. Let's say I installed a tire. I torque it down and add air then yell, "Double check!" Another technician comes over, checks it again then it's good to go.

But ummm... Let's hope that doesn't happen, eh?

The MR2 tranny blew again. I was expecting it anyways. So, I will have to drive my dads V6 Toyota truck about 45 miles everyday. Lot of gas money there....

Now back to the bike. Unfortunately, it is not road ready yet, otherwise I would have just used that. But I hope it will be soon!

[chef1366]

Congrads Allen!

Congrats on the new job! It is nice having a regular source of income, especially when you have no other expenses! A whole new world of possibilities will open itself.

[pete]

Congratulations on the job.

Some things to think of;
Don't get comfortable, make friends but understand that in a heartbeat, fellow workers will throw you under a bus.
Don't share too much personal info. I have been in workplaces where I know way too much about a boss/employee's life.
Learn as much as possible, get new skills and certs that become available on company dime.
Always have an exit plan if you unfortunately find yourself needing to find a new job.
Network! Every job has networking opportunities.

Save money! set aside an amount each paycheck for what i call the oh sh*t fund. Never know when something breaks down, tickets, etc.


good luck

Nice advice Mista M! +1 to all of that, especially the personal info. one. Unfortunately there are people out there who will take advantage of certain personal info...

Thanks guys!

I only get $11 an hour. Thought it was $12 an hour.

But if I finish my work quicker than the time estimate, my efficiency rate goes up. If it goes over 100%, then I earn more than $11 per hour. But if my efficiency rate drops below 100%, I will earn less than $11 per hour.

I am an entry level technician and driver because I have a truck. When I drive, I just pick up tires. When I'm a tech, I will do oil changes, tire changing/balancing, engine repair/diagnostics, and front end alignment.

I can't wait to start! Gotta do drug testing and background check tomorrow. Monday is the day that I will officially start.

Youre on flat rate, or as we refer to it in the business, "flat rape". I've worked for Firestone a combined twelve years, and it's where I'm at right now. It can be a great place to work, or the worst. A lot depends on the manager.

Watch your flat rate hours carefully. It's extremely easy for front shop guys, or the manager to take advantage and have you working for free.

Also remember that quality inspections are where you make your money. That form is law, and you shouldn't deviate. Is this a corporate owned shop? Or an independent?

[pete]

Congrats FC!

Sounds like there'll be some pressure to do stuff quickly to get the earnings and efficiency up, but do yourself a favour and start off slow (not so slow you get fired of course) and make sure you learn everything and do a full and proper job.

Then, when you get efficient doing a full and proper job, you'll leave behind the guys who do a half arsed job just so they can do it quick

I would imagine if you get similar efficiency to someone doing a half arsed job, then you should become more valuable to your employer, and that's when they start taking notice and good things happen!

[Mista M]

Congratulations on the job.

Some things to think of;
Don't get comfortable, make friends but understand that in a heartbeat, fellow workers will throw you under a bus.
Don't share too much personal info. I have been in workplaces where I know way too much about a boss/employee's life.
Learn as much as possible, get new skills and certs that become available on company dime.
Always have an exit plan if you unfortunately find yourself needing to find a new job.
Network! Every job has networking opportunities.

Save money! set aside an amount each paycheck for what i call the oh sh*t fund. Never know when something breaks down, tickets, etc.


good luck

righton

Thanks guys!

I only get $11 an hour. Thought it was $12 an hour.

But if I finish my work quicker than the time estimate, my efficiency rate goes up. If it goes over 100%, then I earn more than $11 per hour. But if my efficiency rate drops below 100%, I will earn less than $11 per hour.

I am an entry level technician and driver because I have a truck. When I drive, I just pick up tires. When I'm a tech, I will do oil changes, tire changing/balancing, engine repair/diagnostics, and front end alignment.

I can't wait to start! Gotta do drug testing and background check tomorrow. Monday is the day that I will officially start.