Kye Hore is probably no stranger to those of you reading this from Canberra but to those that don’t know, Kye is a rider and mechanic from Canberra who’s been working on bikes for a long time including servicing the A’Hern’s bikes at the recent Cairns World Champs. He’s just started his own business servicing bikes, in particular suspension servicing offering those same services to the pros out to the public.
We caught up with Kye to ask him about the ins and outs of being a bike mechanic and some advice for those of you who might want to get into the industry.
Kye, first of all give us a bit of your background and how you came to be a bike mechanic?
Well, I became I mechanic because I had to. My family didn’t have a whole lot of money so I had to learn to fix my own bike. I was riding and racing bikes all the time and of course things broke that needed fixing. When I could work, the next step was to get a job in a shop and the rest is history really.
Is there any formal qualifications required for being a bike mechanic, or is there any other formal training that would help you out?
I think maybe in some states you actually get some form of qualification but in Canberra there is nothing I know of. No formal training really some brands do have there own courses on products but they are for people in shops. If you have a mechanical mind just read up on things.
What kind of skills do you use day to day?
Skills, hmmm. Definitely being able to word things simply to customers and not bombarding them with technical crap unless that’s what they want. But everyday is different, one day you might be pulling apart suspension on a 10 grand bike and then straight after it working on $400 bike that has had no love.
What’s in your toolbox? Do you have a favourite tool or one that you couldn’t live without?
In my toolbox there are plenty of tools without going into detail one for everything. Favourite tool would have to be a plier wrench if I had to pick but I love them all.
Least favourite tool?
Least favorite would have to be a c-spanner maybe.
Best part of the job?
Best part of the job is the people I get to meet and when they are stoked with the work I do.
Worst part of the job?
Worst part is the lack of qualification! You have to learn so much to be good at it and you still don’t get a qualification it’s really frustrating.
If you could go back 15 years and give yourself some career advice what would that be?
Oh man, I don’t want to be doom and gloom but I would say study a bit more lol.
What’d be the one piece of advice you’d give to someone wanting to start in the mechanic side?
My advice would be if it’s what you want to do go for it. It’s not a glamorous job and won’t make you millions but it will give you a amazing lifestyle if you love bikes. Read up on as much as you can and practice on your own bike.
You recently made the trip up to Cairns World Championships with the A’Herns and serviced Sian’s bike and did reasonably well in the Boxxer World Champs, how was that experience?
It was awesome! Something I will always remember. I was glad to be able to keep Sian’s bike running smooth and be able to keep her head in a good space. Boxxer worlds was crazy trying to pull down a fork after a few drinks is very challenging with people screaming at you.
So you step up to have a shot
Then pull down the fork and re assemble.
Then chug a beer after a few of them you feel a bit off.
And you’ve just started up Missing Link bikes full time now servicing and selling bikes, how long has the plan been hatching for now?
I would say the plan of working for myself has been going for as long as I have been a mechanic, about 15 years. It is something I have always wanted but officially to get it going about 2 years give or take.
We are also selling Banshee bikes on top of the mechanic services, I may be a little biased but the Banshee bikes kick arse!
What kind of services are you focusing on with the business?
The main thing I like to focus on is suspension I find it interesting and enjoy working on it. The more technical stuff I guess. But really anything that customers need I will be able to help them out with.
Thanks Kye for taking the time out of your schedule for us!
No probs man, my pleasure.
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You can check out Missing Link bikes at their website: https://www.missinglinkbikes.com.au/ and their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/missinglinkbike/