Trip to 1911 Harrison Ave, Rockford IL, 1970
I was enough of a nuisance around the Cedar Falls Bridgestone dealership that the owner offered to send me to the Bridgestone training program in 1970. As best I remember, the factory provided the training as an all expenses paid trip for the dealer, and since he didn't have a regular mechanic (other than himself), he let me go to the course. The company paid for two nights and meals in a motel adjacent to the factory. Training was held all day Saturday, and 1/2 day Sunday.
The course went through all the basics of repair for each "system" of a motorcycle, Suspension, Electrical, Wheels and tires, Fuel, etc. It also included a complete tear down and reassembly of a 350, 175, and a single cylinder engine and transmission. It was really a good course, with lots of information on issues unique to Bridgestone motorcycles. The two gentlemen running the course were knowledgeable, and did an excellent job of helping each person get the most out of the course, no matter what their level of experience.
As I remember, there was a wide range of experience in the attendees, from no experience at all, to full time working mechanics with 10+ years working on bikes. Cycle design was changing rapidly at that period, and the course was broad enough to be useful to all. One of the features I remember was a tour of the "factory", which included the parts distribution center and the rebuild area where they rebuilt crankshaft assemblies. It was sad to learn just a few years later the whole enterprise came to a halt.
