MMI - Class Overview
The curriculum is broken down into two primary sections: MTRP and your "Electives".
Electives are one (or more) of: Harley Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki.
I only attended the HD section, so that is all I can address. This page is probably
the longest of my web site: below is a section on MTRP, then the HD Elective, then
a section on how the grading is done.
MTRP
Theory, and the first 7 clinics are called "MTRP" (stands for something
like Motorcycle Technician Required Prerequisite), and gives a foundation of knowledge
of motorcycle engines. ALL students (Harley and import) go through these clinics
together. All work is done on import bikes... HD students will not touch HD products
until they begin their electives after passing Clinic 7.
Theory - The first six weeks at MMI, where the students do the
"book learning" portion of the work, gaining extensive knowledge of the
engine and other bike components. This is always the first class that all students
attend. NO written material is provided, instead, the instructor runs a Power Point
presentation (projected on a screen) and the students copy down the material, after
which the instructor then discusses the material. The idea is that by writing down
the information, retention of the material is better. Engine operation (both 4-stroke
and 2-stroke) is covered in detail, as well as transmissions. The only hands-on
work done in this class is a one-day carburetor lab where carburetors are disassembled
and discussed. Many students make the mistake of taking this class too lightly,
thinking all they need is the "hands on" work, but this class provides
a LOT of useful information which will assist in troubleshooting a malfunctioning
vehicle. Understanding how the components work go a long
way towards figuring out how to fix them!
The Theory class is VERY big, we had 50 students in our class. With the entire subject
being written work, it's not too hard to manage that many students, but in all of
the other clinics, 25 was the maxixum (in HD it is 16).
After Theory, the class is split up, with half going to Clinic 1, the other half
going to Clinic 2. After that 3-week session, the students flip-flop, meaning that
the students from Clinic 1 go to Clinic 2, and vice-versa. After that, it is a toss-up.
Clinics 3 through 6 can be attended in any order, and then Clinic 7 is last.
Clinic 1: Engine, Transmission, and Final Drive Systems. The biggest
task in this class is taking apart and putting together an engine. The engine is
an old Honda 450 ATV engine (not in a bike, it's just the engine on your table).
Students are paired up, and together completely take the engine apart, down to splitting
the cases. Then it is reassembled. This was my first ever experience in doing such
a massive job, and it was very enjoyable. Also, students are taught how to use precision
measuring instruments such as Vernier calipers and micrometers (both inch and metric).
Inch micrometers are capable of making measurements that are accurate to 1 ten-thousandth
(that's .0001") of an inch!
Clinic 2: Suspension and Chassis Systems. This is one of the dirtiest
and sweatiest classes there is. The primary reason for that is changing tires. You
learn how to change tires by hand, with a manual machine, and a fully automated
machine. The tires have been changed by many people, and are soaked with the lube
used to make them easier to slip on the rim. You will get dirty in this class! But
tire changing is something that happens a lot in a shop, so you better know how
to do it. Also, students will remove swingarms from a motorcycle, will do disc brake
services, and also steering head services. I was initially intimidated with these
tasks, but after doing it the first time (for practice), I was easily able to do
them for my final.
Clinic 3: Machine Shop. The biggest chore in this class is boring
and honing cylinders. Fun assignment. Students also learn how to disassemble and
reassemble a multi-piece crankshaft (using a 20-ton hydraulic press), and then truing
it. Students also recondition valve faces and seats. Before taking this class, I
was expecting not to enjoy it as it didn't seem like something I'd like. But quite
the opposite, it was a fun class.
Clinic 4: Electrical. Wow, this class alone has almost made the
school worth attending. Fortunately, I already knew quite a bit about the
theory of electrics both from college and my computer career,
so that part came easy to me. But I also picked up using the digital multimeter
rather quickly, and was able to test components both isolated, as well as on the
bike. One of the most important skills is learning how to take a wiring diagram
of a bike, and extract a sub-section of that diagram. For example, if the bike is
having trouble re-charging the battery, the technician would only be interested
in testing the charging system of the motorcycle, ignoring the starting, ignition,
or other systems. Students are taught how to determine the charging components,
and then re-draw the diagram including only those components and wires to be tested.
This is an extremely useful skill, and should be focused on intently. Students also
do starting, ignition, and charging tests on running motorcycles. If a student can
come out of this class understanding how the electrical systems work, they can do
really well for themselves in the field, as there are LOTS of "mechanics"
who struggle in this area.
Clinic 5: Vehicle Maintenance. This clinic involves in-depth instruction
in proper maintenance procedures on 4-stroke and 2-stroke engines. In particular,
doing valve adjustments. Compression testing, leakdown testing, carburetor synchronization
and other essential skills are taught and practiced.
Clinic 6: Engine Troubleshooting and Noise Diagnosis. The primary
task in this clinic is to take an engine apart, put it back together, and then run
it! This is different from Clinic 1, in that those engines have probably NEVER been
run (or had oil put in them). Here, students are introduced to taking apart an oily
engine, but they also must put it back together well enough that it can run. The
engine is not installed in a bike, but rather a test stand where carbs, exhaust,
and electrical units are housed. The engine must start and run in order to get a
passing grade. This was one of my most favorite classes because of this. This was
my first time for disassembling/reassembling an engine that had to run. However,
if I had an issue with this class, it would be in the name. Engine troubleshooting
and diagnosing was "learned" by being handed some printed material with
checklists on it. We did not "hear" an engine problem, and then told what
it was. Instead, we were told that we would learn this "in the field",
and the printed material would be helpful.
Clinic 7: Review and Performance Testing. The students call this
the "test out" clinic, as the idea is that you show what you learned in
the earlier clinics. There are number of stations that must be completed, some are
hands on with motorcycles, others relate to microfiche lookup, component testing,
etc. I had some concern going into this clinic, as I wasn't 100% sure of everything
I'd learned, as it seemed like a lot of tasks had been covered, with several having
been months previous. I was afraid that maybe I'd have forgotten some things. In
this class it can really make a difference who your instructors
are, as some instructors are not as punitive as other's I'd heard of. I was blessed
with having two of the "best" instructors possible, so I felt lucky. I
ended up passing with flying colors
Harley Davidson Elective
After passing Clinic 7, the student begins their elective(s.) As I attended for
Harley Davidson training, I had 27 weeks of Harley specific training. In the import
arena, each of the manufacturers (Honda, Suzuki, etc) have 12-week long classes.
The Harley classes were MUCH more difficult than the MTRP classes!!
HD Tech 1: My first Harley Davidson specific clinic. A few days
of notes, and then we tore down a 1340 Evo Big Twin motor 4 times (cylinders off,
with gear case and oil pump disassembled), and then putting it back together. We
were taught the correct procedures and practiced them the first 3 days, and then
were "performance tested" on the 4th day. We then did the same thing with
a 4-speed Sportster motor. We also did the same thing with the Big Twin 5-speed
transmission. Lots of hands on work with HD products, definitely an enjoyable clinic!
HD Tech 2: Wow, was this class a lot of work. We were taught how
to do 5000 mile (5K) services in this class, and had to do 6 of them. Changing the
fluids, adjusting the drive belt and primary chain, adjusting the clutch, lubing
the cables and adjusting the throttle cables.... there are alot of things to do
on a 5K service. We also had to do some rear wheel removals, change the tire, then
re-install the wheel. Apparently, 5K services and wheel changes are frequent jobs
in a dealership, and they're making sure we get plenty of experience doing them.
This was one of the hottest, sweatest, and dirtiest classes I've had so far. It
didn't help that the air conditioner in our class was on the fritz, it was midsummer
in Orlando, and I was in class from noon until 6PM. I definitely felt like
a mechanic each day coming out of THIS class!
S1: This class covered some additional chassis jobs. How to change
the fork oil, brake pad changes, and also disassembling calipers and master cylinders.
We learned how to see if the steering bearings are adjusted properly by doing "fallaways",
and then adjusting if the measurement wasn't correct. Also doing Springer rocker
arm maintenance. Again, we had to do another 5K service, a PDI (pre-delivery inspection
of a new bike, which is basically a 5K without the fluid changes), and some more
rear wheel and tire changes. Like I said, they want to make sure you can do those
tasks!
E1: Another of my favorite classes. We spent 4 days tearing down
a 5-speed Sportster engine, on one day going so far as splitting the cases. We then
reassembled it that same day. Very much the same as HD Tech 1, except in that class
we worked with a partner doing the work, whereas in E1, we do everything by ourselves.
I must say that it is personally very satisfying to tear an engine down, and then
putting it all back together, in only 4 hours or so. Great class, and an excellent
instructor! We also spent 6 days on the Twin Cam B motor, each day going so far
as splitting the cases and removing the balancers. Wow, what a sweet motor the Twin
Cam is!
E2: I'd heard that this is the toughest class in the HD electives,
and I'd have to agree with that. There are 16 jobs to do, and 4 of them are full
day jobs. Two rear belt changes (one dresser and one softail) require the student
to remove the rear wheel, swingarm, outer primary, primary drive, and inner primary
in order to get to the belt. Also, two rear base gaskets (again, one dresser and
one softail) have to be changed. This required removing the gas tank, exhaust, carb,
etc. And with the motor still in the bike, it's much more difficult to access the
fasteners than when the motor is sitting in an engine stand. Also covered is changing
throttle cables and clutch cables. While this was a strenous class, I really enjoyed
it. I saw more HD students fail this class than any other, because if you didn't
finish a task that day (belt or base gasket), you didn't get credit for the job,
leaving that many less days to get the jobs done.
S2: Harley electrics. A simplified version of Clinic 4. In Clinic
4, you learn the basics of ALL electrical systems, where in this class you learn
only how to troubleshoot Harley systems. We covered starting, ignition, and charging
system troubleshooting, and did plenty of hands-on exercises. A good class.
VROD: 3 weeks of working on Harley's newest bike. We alternated
doing tasks on a bench motor as well as working on a bike on the lift. We did clutch
work, learned all about the electrical sensors, and even removed the engine from
the bike, and then put it back in. As this engine has far more electrical components,
as well as being water cooled, removing the engine took considerable more work than
a Twin Cam motor to remove. I had anticipated not enjoying this class, as I didn't
consider the VROD to be a "real" Harley. To my surprise, I ended up really
enjoying working on the bike, and I plan on using the knowledge I learned as a selling
point to getting a job in a dealership.
Buell: As opposed to the VROD class, where 3 weeks is spent on
one motorcycle, Buell covers 3 "types" of motorcycles in 3 weeks. The
Blast, which is the new single cyclinder version, the "Air cooled Twin"
versions, which was the X1 Lightning and other related models which had tubular
frames, and lastly the XB9R, which is the newest version. Having more bikes to learn
about in only 3 weeks, I didn't feel as if I learned the Buell family nearly as
well as the VROD.
Screaming Eagle 1: This class covers the high performance aspect
of wrenching. Engine math is covered, as well as defining the details that are involved
in improving engine performance. We changed cams, as well as measuring combustion
chambers by pouring fluid into them and seeing how much fluid they held.
Screaming Eagle 2: This class took what was learned in Screaming
Eagle 1, and applied it using the dynamometer. Stock bikes are tested on the dyno,
and then modifications are made such as pipes, rejetting, and carbs, then retested
in order to see the changes that result. Dyno certification is received based on
passing this class.
Grading
- Clinics are all 3 weeks long, you get the grades for that class the following week.
An exception is Theory, as it is two 3-week sessions back-to-back.
- All students, both Harley and import, are combined in the MTRP section. Once that
is completed, you go your separate ways
- Grading. Your class grade is broken into 4 categories: Classwork, Labwork, Professionalism,
and Attendance. Yes, that's right, Attendance!
- Classwork - This grade comes from the written tests you are given in class. In Theory,
this is where your entire grade comes from, but in the clinics, test grades only
account for 20% of your class grade. I think the idea was that many mechanics
don't do well at written tests, but I thought that was a bunch of hogwash. The written
tests should certainly count for more than it did. Oh well.
- Labwork - In the hands on clinics, this was how well you did the assigned tasks
for that class. If you broke something you might get penalized, and there were some
other ways to lose points as well.
- Professionalism - This was a "catch all" basket. You could get penalized
for not having your badge on, your shirt untucked, or whatever rule you might break.
- Attendance - Apparently there is a major problem with kids skipping class. To fix
this, they penalize your course grade if you skip class. If you miss 3 days of one
3-week clinic, you automatically fail the clinic. I know of several people this
happened to. Show up to class!