Speaking as someone who did take some time off the normal job and worked as a motorcyle mechanic for a while (it was such fun, and easy, but not much money), I was so disappointed to find that there was nothing in the book "Zen, and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" about working on motorcycles. No tips for timing a Lucas magneto. No insight on why the original XS-650 would throw itself onto the ground. No reference to the work of Naito and Nomura on the Schnurle two-cycle engine. Not even a recommendation for a good brand of wrenches!
Enjoy;
Ralph Javins