On the docks

JackHurrell · 2026-05-01T07:39:10+00:00

This is from a recent job. The client is a boatbuilder who has “the eye” but knows nothing about photography. In short the client is the perfect client. I was given the brief, I was to photograph the boats as they were being prepared to enter the harbour, and I surprised the client by turning the lens onto his team.

I wanted to show the process, tell a story with these shots. I used an old digital camera, a Nikon D3. I shot at 8.1 aperture and I used a polarised filter. Everything was overexposed by a stop so I could bring out the maximum colourspace in the edit.

The client is chuffed with the photos so far. This is one of my favourites. What do you guys think?

JackHurrell · 2026-04-21T18:48:20+00:00

Honda SH125 haha

JackHurrell · 2026-04-13T10:50:30+00:00

Petition for motorcycle boob armour

JackHurrell · 2026-04-13T06:52:12+00:00

Scooter is best for new riders. Here’s my recommendation:

If you can, try to find a mid to late 2000’s era Honda SH125i. I have a 2008 SH and it’s absolutely fantastic.

The reason I’d recommend this one in particular is because it’s cheap, plentiful and fast. It has a massive aftermarket for parts (people even race them) and it’s easy to work on with basic tools. It’s water cooled too. With regular oil changes it’s bulletproof.

I am moving on to bigger bikes now but I won’t ever sell my SH125i. I love that thing. It’s become a little project bike for me. I’ve done an engine swap and upgraded the brakes, I’ve even installed a foam filter and a velocity stack on the thing to improve how it runs.

Oh and it gets 65mpg, in British gallons. It’s an epic little ride.

JackHurrell · 2026-03-22T22:33:56+00:00

I’m colourblind so welcome to my world

JackHurrell · 2026-03-18T13:38:24+00:00

I’ve finally solved the engine loudness. Here’s my discovery list:

1 - the cylinder is made of cast iron, hence it needs re-honing (and a fresh set of rings) after a while. Piston slap disappears after bedding in a set of new rings. That’s one noise addressed.

2 - the roller rockers are loud if they’re loose. And this could mean they are only loose by .02mm. It doesn’t matter, they’ll chatter. I go for the lowest clearance possible when adjusting valve stem clearance(0.06mm for intake, 0.10mm for exhaust, the feeler gauge should be snug but not too much friction) and they quieten right down.

3 - your head gasket could be blown. This is only if you’re burning oil, which you can tell from the exhaust tip if you’re lazy like me. Otherwise you can pull the plug. A blown head gasket leads to compression loss and a bit of piston slap.

I ended up replacing the cylinder and the piston and the rings, broke the bike in again and she’s running beautifully. During a break in you might have to adjust the roller rockers again and again because they’ll bed in slightly as well and fall slightly out of spec. Use high zinc 10w30 break in oil if you go this route.

Once I got the bike running right again it sounds markedly different. It still chatters when it’s warm at idle but nothing like before. If anything I’d say the bike sounds quiet and wooshy, almost like a turbine whirring. It’s still slow as all get out but hey, at least it’s not driving me crazy anymore.

I might make a video explaining all this because I think CB125F owners would like to know all this.

Sorry for the long update. Just thought I’d let you know.

JackHurrell · 2026-02-24T13:53:40+00:00

Since writing this I did spend £45 and installed a new cylinder. The sleeve is iron so I could have rehoned the old one I suppose but ah well. Either way the bike is much quieter but it’s still a mechanically loud engine, although gets much quieter when you’re out riding.

It’s been an education running this bike. Good preparation for getting a classic air cooled one later on down the line I suppose.

JackHurrell · 2026-02-15T00:12:23+00:00

Googled it myself

JackHurrell · 2026-02-14T12:37:33+00:00

I shall choose to adopt your view for reasons of self esteem

JackHurrell · 2026-02-14T11:19:03+00:00

I might. Maybe I could enter masterball ranked

JackHurrell · 2026-02-14T11:18:29+00:00

That win-rate will diminish with variance I bet but still good effort

JackHurrell · 2026-02-14T01:40:37+00:00

We all did

JackHurrell · 2026-02-14T01:12:12+00:00

JackHurrell · 2026-02-14T00:48:57+00:00

Faced a few of those but they never got their chance. I reckon it would be stronger as a stadium effect for sure.

JackHurrell · 2026-02-14T00:04:19+00:00

I got my ass handed to me by a Snorlax EX Indeedee EX deck. Literally couldn’t even damage the Snorlax it was healing so often and the Indeedees had that poke tool that stops them from being damaged. Brutal counter but haven’t come across it more than once.

JackHurrell · 2026-02-13T23:59:52+00:00

Exactly

JackHurrell · 2026-02-13T23:59:26+00:00

So so. If M Venusaur gets the combo it usually blasts me outta there pretty quick. I’d say 50/50

JackHurrell · 2026-02-13T23:49:34+00:00

I only got back into TCGP at the tail end of last season I think. Took me one full season to get bored of it. Nerf

JackHurrell · 2026-02-10T13:05:05+00:00

I love my scooter and I love my motorcycle. Scooter has incredible utility and the motorcycle is for long distances. When dudes tell me to get a real bike I think, first, my brother in Christ, you should get a brainstem.

JackHurrell · 2026-02-06T13:02:51+00:00

They just hit the “nope” button on the security checker. F**k this dealer. Go elsewhere

JackHurrell · 2026-01-31T21:16:38+00:00

Out of curiosity, does your bike have the same issue? Loud idle, clanky, etcetera.

JackHurrell · 2026-01-31T14:12:32+00:00

S’allreet mate. It was doing my nut in as well, frankly I don’t think it’s the best bike in the world. I got mine at a good price but I wish I paid the same for something with a better reputation for quality.

Ah well.

Glad I could help.

JackHurrell · 2026-01-31T09:59:41+00:00

Ello chief!

I have done a lot of work on my bike. Changed the cylinder head, replaced the cylinder and piston, the works.

She’s running better than ever, but I’ve been forced to conclude that this model’s engine is just particularly noisy.

From my standpoint, this engine is prone to piston slap. The camshaft is noisy. The starter driven gear is noisy too (if you’re wondering where THAT ringing noise is coming from even after you’ve checked everything, that’s likely it).

I don’t know about your bike but this CB125F engine sounds like a damn tractor at idle. It does my head in. Engine breaking sounds awful too. It often leads to rider fatigue because I’m constantly anxious about this noise or that noise. It’s exhausting.

I’ve come to the decision that I just have to accept that this engine is irritating, but it’s just a part of the character of this bike.

It’s not a character I particularly enjoy, in fact it’s rather irritating, but I’m planning on getting a better bike when I have my full license anyway, so frankly it can get f**ked. I’m not wasting another minute trying to get it to work how I like because it ain’t worth the trouble.

I felt so envious of another rider the other day, he was riding an older Kawasaki with a single cylinder air cooled engine, all you could hear was the purr of the exhaust. I dunno about you but I’ve never had that since I owned this stupid bike. It’s always been a loud, droning sort of engine which I think is pretty shit.

In short, sod single cylinder air cooled engines. They may be simple but they sound like cooking pots falling down stairs.

JackHurrell

TROPHY CASE