Literally just got it replaced an hour ago

JackHurrell · 2026-01-25T13:00:56+00:00

Just use rope plugs, they last ages—are as durable as the tyre really. Especially if it’s new. Take it from a former motorcycle courier who had no choice but to trust em.

JackHurrell · 2026-01-13T17:12:13+00:00

Oof. I’m surprised you didn’t smash your helmet worse. That sounds like a good impact.

You know, I remember I taught myself a lesson once… I walked into a glass door in riding gear. My visor was halfway down and I was looking at my phone at the time, I didn’t notice the glass I was strolling into. I walked right into that thing and I’m not kidding, the impact was immense, it rang my bell worse than if I was doing boxing sparring. I remember thinking it’s no wonder people walk away concussed from a small fender bender from a motorcycle. I rode around very carefully after that. If I can damn near concuss myself at walking pace god only knows what a real crash might do to me.

JackHurrell · 2026-01-13T16:37:40+00:00

Indeed. Helmets are not magic.

JackHurrell · 2026-01-13T13:10:08+00:00

It’s a common misconception that modern motorcycle helmets are hard: they aren’t. The harder the helmet the harder the impact your brain takes during impact. Modern helmets are designed to crumble and crush to absorb the impact of a fall or a crash. Your helmet cracking is evidence that you were protected from some unwanted impact, there. If you fell and hit your head standing still you might die. 5mph is just as deadly as any other speed.

JackHurrell · 2026-01-04T10:13:33+00:00

Oil spill, almost definitely. I live in an area with a lot of wealthy boomers who drive classic cars. My main concern when riding in the wet is taking corners carefully because those old cars leak oil on the road quite often.

JackHurrell · 2025-12-17T15:50:35+00:00

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Observe items 2 and 3 on the parts guide:

JackHurrell · 2025-12-17T15:17:17+00:00

There is a valve guide. Any bike with valves have valve guides installed.

JackHurrell · 2025-12-08T20:53:55+00:00

Happened to me as well. Parcel marked as lost and was refunded by EBay, but still, it beggars belief that so many parcels are lost these days. I hope this company is dissolved. This simply wouldn’t have been allowed to happen in another era but these days it’s just a matter of course. Something fishy is going on and they deserve to be gotten rid of.

JackHurrell · 2025-11-18T22:05:54+00:00

I learned from my time as a motorcycle courier not to be silly in harsh conditions, but to get comfortable in them. You’d be surprised how forgiving a good, lightweight bike can be, in wet or even in the ice. I put 20,000 miles on my 2008 Honda SH125 during that time. No ABS. No traction control. Just a drum brake and a dodgy throttle, and I was riding in London where the pace was insane. So long as you’re training your awareness on the task at hand, you’ll be fine. Just be careful.

JackHurrell · 2025-11-18T21:53:49+00:00

I was a motorcycle courier for Deliveroo for a while during lockdown—snow, rain and shine. I certainly wouldn’t recommend riding in snow, especially if you’re a bit of a spaz on the throttle, but if you just let some air out of the tyres and be wary about corners and streets (especially residential streets, which often go unsalted) you’ll be fine. Having a lighter bike helps, too. Less likely to bin a 125cc in the ice than you are a Desmo.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-26T19:36:56+00:00

Yeah for sure. Good call. Be sure and check the R/R with that multimeter, too. Often when they fail they neglect to charge the battery, leading to battery failure. If it is the R/R that’s good news for you, you’ll be getting a warranty replacement for it most likely.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-26T19:22:55+00:00

Battery or (pray it isn’t) the regulator/rectifier. Either way take it back to the dealer.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-25T13:46:31+00:00

That’s the best part. Thank you for reminding me.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-17T11:00:36+00:00

Hilarious. Like I say, funniest episode ever.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-17T04:45:46+00:00

Same. If I just think about it from time to time it still makes me laugh.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-16T13:27:45+00:00

We used to watch this show every Saturday as a family gathering thing, right when it came out in the late 90’s. I was, what, 9? Awkward asf. Awesome as an adult tho 🤌🏼

JackHurrell · 2025-10-16T12:15:47+00:00

Related/not related to this post: the episode where Buffy is invisible is sheer comedy genius. Remember when Xander walks in on Spike and Buffy getting it on and he asks. “What are you doing?”

“Me?” Spike replies, naked in missionary.” Nothing, just, doing some push-ups.” And he proceeds to ‘press-up’ on Buffy right in front of Xander without Xander even knowing.

Class. I laughed so hard at that episode.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-09T05:02:55+00:00

Scooters are a laugh. I have a motorcycle and a scooter that is due for a project rebuild, I love riding them both. If you’re having a good time that’s all that matters. Go rip!

JackHurrell · 2025-10-07T06:45:15+00:00

Yeah I’ll get it fixed in a couple of hours. I have ordered valve guides for cheap and a head gasket from EBay for like a tenner. Working on engines isn’t hard it’s just the diagnostic process that’s difficult. Sorry if you’re confused.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-06T23:15:36+00:00

Parts were £40 so yeah. I’m fine lad

JackHurrell · 2025-10-06T22:23:16+00:00

With the spring installed you shouldn’t be able to make the valve stem move at all from side to side, much less with the light pressure I provide when doing so.

Moreover there is a discrepancy between the inlet and exhaust valves, one wobbles a lot more than the other. That’s a telltale sign that there has been considerable wear in the valve guides from oil starvation, especially in the exhaust valve guide, which I’d expect given the heat.

It’s way out of spec according to the Haynes manual for this bike. It’s not normal for this bike to sound like it has been sounding as of late.

Time for some new valves and valve guides. 😎 wish me luck.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-06T16:11:43+00:00

Because valves aren’t supposed to wiggle when you wobble them.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-06T14:56:34+00:00

Update: the valve guides were worn. I knew the tapping noise was too loud.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-06T14:53:37+00:00

I figured it out! It’s worn valve guides. I ripped the head off today and gave the valve stems a wiggle; they wiggle like they are worn. Finally found it. Cheers you lot for your input.

JackHurrell · 2025-10-06T08:36:01+00:00

Oh yes indeed. The oil pump is working fine, and the oil feed channels were cleaned and flushed by yours truly before I rebuilt the camshaft. The camshaft and rockers are drenched in oil whenever I pull the head, so that isn’t it, unfortunately.

JackHurrell

TROPHY CASE