McPherson College in Kansas, is now offering a college degree in motorcycle restoration. Already offering a degree in automotive restoration, they’ve just now expanded to include motorcycles.

Joe Dickhudt, assistant professor of technology, agreed the new major will give McPherson College students skills in a market exploding in popularity. “It turns out there’s a lot of people interested in motorcycle restoration because they’re popular and affordable,” Dickhudt said. Two motorcycles have been obtained for the first batch of motorcycle restoration majors – a 1965 Honda 305 Dream and a 1970 BSA 250. Dickhudt said they were on the lookout for an Indian, Harley-Davidson or Triumph dating pre-1970 for a class project. The program, which expands the automotive restoration program, will emphasize historical and technical restoration. In addition to adjusting standard classes on sheet metal, trim and paint to have a motorcycle emphasis, there will also be a class on the history of the American motorcycle and courses on the unique aspects of motorcycle engines, power trains and suspensions.

Their auto restoration program has proven to be popular and it’s picked up some well known endorsements from both the auto industry and celebrities like Jay Leno who has created the Fred J. Duesenberg Scholarship providing financial assistance for auto restoration students. Including motorcycles in the program might add some young blood where a lot of the current interest and skill seems to often reside among the older generation of riders and builders. Returning the old iron to “as new” condition for those who are unfamiliar with the antique and vintage machines is a good thing. Maintaining and restoring collections of old vehicles could be a pretty sweet way for a young person to earn a living. If you’re looking for a program to launch you on a career where you get your hands on the machines you love, this might be just the ticket.

Link: McPherson College