Motorcycle assembler

Motorcycle assemblers fasten motorcycle parts and components together such as frames, wheels, engines etc. To do so, they use hand tools, power tools and other equipment such as CNC machines or robots. They read technical plans and use automated assembling equipment to build motorcycles. They inspect individual parts for malfunctions and check the quality of assemblies to make sure the standards are met and the specifications respected.

The duties of a motorcycle assembler include, but are not limited to:

• Positions and clamps frame in fixture on conveyor line.
• Bolts fork, motor, transmission, rear and front wheels, chain drives, handlebars, lights, seats, and other parts to frame, using handtools or power tools.
• Turns gas or spark handle controls, and adjustment screws on distributor and carburetor to set spark and gas feed.
• Turns screws to adjust chain drive and clutch to specified tension.
• Focuses headlight on testing board and turns adjustment screws to align beam of light.
• Lubricates motorcycle with grease gun. Records motor and sales numbers

Motorcycle assemblers work in manufacturing plants, and working conditions vary by plant and by industry. Many physically difficult tasks, such as tightening massive bolts or moving heavy parts into position, have been automated or made easier through the use of power tools. Assembly work, however, may still involve long periods of standing, sitting, or working on ladders.

Some motorcycle assemblers come into contact with potentially dangerous chemicals or fumes, but ventilation systems usually minimize any harmful effects. Other assemblers come into contact with oil and grease, and their work areas may be noisy.

Most motorcycle assemblers work full time. Some assemblers work in shifts, which may require evening, weekend, and night work.

The following job titles also refer to motorcycle assembler:

cycle constructor
bicycle constructor
moped builder
bicycle builder
cycle assembler
moped assembler
bike constructor
scooter constructor
moped constructor
scooter builder
motorbike assembler
scooter assembler
bike builder
motorbike constructor
cycle builder
motorbike builder

A high school diploma is typically required to work as a motorcycle assembler. Employers usually provide on-the-job training.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Motorcycle assembler is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to motorcycle assembler.

bicycle assembler
automotive brake technician
motor vehicle parts assembler
aircraft de-icer installer
electromechanical equipment assembler

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of motorcycle assembler. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of motorcycle assembler with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aircraft maintenance engineer
electromechanical engineering technician
avionics inspector
rolling stock engine tester
instrumentation engineering technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of motorcycle assembler.

• Mechanics of motor vehicles: The way energy forces interact and affect components in motor vehicles such as cars, buses, invalid carriages and other motorised vehicles. 
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.

These skills are necessary for the role of motorcycle assembler.

• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Align components: Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
• Use power tools: Operate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Read standard blueprints: Read and comprehend standard blueprints, machine, and process drawings.
• Fasten components: Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
• Use technical documentation: Understand and use technical documentation in the overall technical process.
• Apply health and safety standards: Adhere to standards of hygiene and safety established by respective authorities.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of motorcycle assembler. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Electromechanics: The engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that create electricity by mechanical movement.
• Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
• Electricity: Understand the principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of motorcycle assembler. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Install transport equipment engines: Install engines used in transport equipment such as internal combustion engines, external combustion engines and electrical motors according to blueprints and technical plans by using hand and power tools.
• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Remove paint: Remove paint by using chemical strippers, a heat gun, sanding or scraping the surface.
• Replace tyres: Replace worn out or broken tyres of motor vehicles by using hand and power tools. Choose new tyres according to customer requirements and motor vehicle model.
• Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
• Use welding equipment: Operate welding equipment in a safe manner; use welding techniques such as shielded metal arc welding or flux-cored arc welding.
• Assemble electrical components: Assemble switches, electrical controls, circuit boards and other electrical components by using hand and soldering equipment.
• Inspect worn tyres: Evaluate the worn tyres and check at possible damages (cuts, cracks, etc) in order to determine possible retread.
• Assemble electronic units: Connect various electronic and computer parts to form an electronic product or device.
• Maintain braking system: Maintain the system that stops motor vehicles and bicycles. Identify problems such as leakages. Make repairs if necessary by using hand and power tools.
• Identify parts requested by customers: Ask the client questions in order to identify the specific parts he needs, taking into account the car type and year of construction; search for the exact parts described.
• Carry out repair of vehicles: Provide repair for vehicles and routine level checks, such as engine tune-ups, oil changes, tire rotation and changes, wheel balancing, replacing filters, repair engine failures; repair mechanical and electrical systems malfunctions; replace parts and components; repair body damage.
• Identify customer’s needs: Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
• Inspect repaired tyres: Inspect the rebuffed and fully vulcanized tyres in order to detect if any flaws are still present.
• Operate drill press: Operate a semi-automated, semi-manual drill press to drill holes in a work piece, safely and according to regulations.
• Mix paints for vehicles: Select appropriate paint varieties and mix paint using mixing equipment and according to the colour formulas presented by vehicle manufacturers.
• Recognise signs of corrosion: Recognise the symptoms of metal showing oxidation reactions with the environment resulting in rusting, copper pitting, stress cracking, and others, and estimate the rate of corrosion.
• Use painting equipment: Use brushes, rollers, spray guns and other painting equipment in accordance with the work.
• Conduct performance tests: Conduct experimental, environmental and operational tests on models, prototypes or on the systems and equipment itself in order to test their strength and capabilities under normal and extreme conditions.
• Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.
• Write records for repairs: Write records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.
• Install transport equipment lighting: Install lighting elements in transport equipment according to blueprints and other technical plans.

8211 – Mechanical machinery assemblers

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References

1. ESCO
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
3. Motorcycle Assembler: A description for the motorcycle assembler job – Job Descriptions
4. Featured image: Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash