Copyright (c) 1996 by Gil "Brendan" Young <GameMaster@city-online.com>

As a former mechanic, I must state unequivocably that double-jointedness
does not apply to many, many repairs.  When it does apply, what it does
is make the mechanic's job *faster*, by obviating the need to jury rig
something up from another tool or a welding wire or something.
Double-jointedness works for about 85% of engine work (which is what
most people think of when they think of working on a car), 30% of
exhaust work, 75% of electrical work, 70% of suspension work, and
probably not a whole lot with body work (although I wasn't a body work
guy).  It's useless for rebuilding transmissions or any other sort of
bench work, except when you're removing the parts, and only the
later-model brakes require you to be a contortionist.  Remember also
that one of the functions of a good set of tools is to provide
extensions, swivel sockets, crowfoot wrenches, etc. to allow you to get
into tight spots.

Having extra manipulators, however, is invaluable;  I cannot tell you
how many times I have longed for an extra arm when I was doing things
like swinging a hammer, holding a punch and asking someone to come over
and hold the thing I was holding the punch against!  Also, it helps to
have a high degree of strength.  A half a point or so of Axe/Mace would
go a long way, because just being able to hit with a hammer isn't
enough;  you have to be able to hit hard and accurately (my metacarpals
still smart from when I worked on suspensions 5 mos. ago!).

You could easily break working on a vehicle down into a series of rolls
against ST, Mechanic (diagnosis and repair;  I know a guy who can
diagnose like a champ but can't turn a wrench to save his life!), and
detect lies (for customers...  ;-).  But to simplify, I'd say that
double-jointedness gives the listed bonus where it applies (and it's
usually pretty obvious where) and where it gives a bonus, better tools
give a maximum of +1 (which doesn't mean you don't need tools!).  The
listed adds for extra limbs and such look good, but up to a maximum of 4
total, with a +1 for every level of Full Coordination (assuming you have
enough Independently Focusable eyes to watch every extra thing you're
doing).  Do *not* give any of those bonuses (tools, arms, joints) for
diagnosis (naturally) and note that if someone else is providing the
extra arms and they aren't a total idiot, give the lead mechanic the
bonus.

Now for Advanced Mechanics Gaming:  ;-)

Many of you have 'waste space' (not cargo space;  they're different) on
your vehicles when you're done designing them.  That makes a mechanic's
job easier.  The parts suddenly become more accessible, and the job is
less of a headache.  I'd give a +1 to a mechanic's roll for every .5% of
the vehicles total space that is waste space, rounded down.

Vehicles and devices that have been around for a while are easier to
diagnose and repair.  Give a +1 to mechanics skill for one that's been
around for 10 years or more, if Technical Support Bulletins are
available from the manufacturer.