[924Sman]

Interesting thread! Many ways we learn here and can be a good source of encouragement for those who are new and don't know the difference between a box end and an open end wrench.

I got my mechanical skills through lack of money, the need to tear things apart and fix them and the natural talent I was born with to have mechanical skills. As a kid my brother in law did AX and was great about including me so I learned about racing cars and working on them with him. He owned a Austin Healy iirc. After awhile/divorce I bought my first mini bike which at that time was the new Honda Mini Trail 50. I bought one of the first ones available and at that time Rupp was the only thing around. I wrenched on it and I got older I started racing AMA MX at 13-22 y.o. then went to AMA mile dirt tracker. Most of my skills were obtained on scooters.

Once I got a car I had to work on them for the cost factor and I was good or better than a mechanic could do so I continue to this day DIY.

I found for me it is all "nuts and bolts" all you need is good recall of what you DID and a love to learn while you wrench and no better teacher than getting your hands dirty and learn as you repair. But FIRST you must read all you can so you can understand the process way before you even open the hood (or bonnet, for you Brits!). Having a good mental picture of the area involved is huge. And of course I have asked a ton of questions but you must be able to "weed out" the bad info you read so ask many the same question and compare info then use common sense.