Old helmet advice wanted

[ELectronicFlesh]

I've been given a helmet which has never faced a hard impact, however the foam(?) beneath the outer helmet and the inner material rolls off like dead flakey skin.
Is it safe to use this helmet? Is there some way to fix this? The helmet is from May 1985.

[blackdog]

PM Darwin. He is an expert in these things.

[Disco Dan]

You could use an electron microscope to check for minute cracks in the shell and inner.... but probably cheaper to buy a new one.... :whistle:

[bosslady]

Not sure if this is a piss take or not but no, it is not safe to use. At least it's not safe until you fall off and you actually need to use it! You cannot repair it, it's done for. Best thing you can do is destroy the helmet (so no one else can possibly use it) and put it in the bin, take it to the tip etc. If you really need a lid and you're strapped for cash go and buy a new cheapy one for around a hundy, that would be safer than the one you've been given.

[Akzle]

just. dont.

[awayatc]

safe only if you wear it in properly and
oil it daily before you wear it back to front for first 3 months.
will later also explain how best to make use of exhaust pipe....

[Jantar]

There is a simple 4 step method for checking old helmets.

1. Visually inspect the helmet shell for any sign of damage. This may be in the form of indentations, deep scratches, chiped shell etc. If there is any damage then discard the helmet.

2. Check the straps. Any signs of excessive wear, failing buckles, stitching failing etc then discard the helmet

3. Check the helmet inner foam padding for signs of deformation. As any deformation will occur between the foam and the shell the only way to check this is to take a hack saw and carefully cut the shell in half from ear to ear. If there is any sign of deformation in the foam then discard the helmet.

4. Repeat step 1.

I have used this method on a number of old helmets and you would be suprised how many fail. Most fail at step 1, some at step 2, and the rest at step 3. I have only ever had 1 helmet fail at step 4.

[wysper]

Bin it. (blardy blar de blar 10 fn charaters)

[BigAl]

Is it safe to use this helmet? Is there some way to fix this? The helmet is from May 1985.

Perfectly safe as long as you don't crash.

[oneofsix]

DO NOT use it. You will get all that foam stuff tangled up in your hair and its a bitch to get out. :pinch:

If the foam is disintegrating the rest will be to.

[nodrog]

For fucksakes, this has to be a piss take, nobody is that retarded.

[peril 787b]

For fucksakes, this has to be a piss take, nobody is that retarded.

Might be real if they're a swinger...

[nodrog]

Might be real if they're a swinger...

Whats having an orgy got to do with it?

[MIXONE]

It'll make a great pot plant holder...

[blackdog]

It'll make a great pot plant holder...

I like making them into lampshades. Keep the tinted visor for built in dimmer.

[boman]

As all the above. Don't use it.


They can be bought new, relatively cheap.

[Madness]

How old is your head?

[Karl08]

How old is your head?

and how much do you value it?

[Dragon]

Pretty sure yesterday was april fools

[jellywrestler]

For fucksakes, this has to be a piss take, nobody is that retarded.

yep they sell em at cash converters like that

[nodrog]

yep they sell em at cash converters like that

they sell retards at cash converters?

[oneofsix]

they sell retards at cash converters?

a out time they had a sale then, they seem to be rather overstocked.

[Karl08]

yep they sell em at cash converters like that

Given that I see riders in shorts, singlets jandels, and gumboots; and after what I have done as a job for the last 17 years....nothing anyone does surprises me.....

Even if yesterday was April 1st.

[Road kill]

Retro is in.
Put that sucker on TM an sell it to some fashion bunny scooter rider.
Kill two birds with one stone mate,cash for your new helmet an the scooter rider will look after his end sooner or later.

[ELectronicFlesh]

Thanks to those who've helped. I'll definately look into selling it to some hipster, or returning it. Even if the helmet is safe, if there is no way to stop the foam degrading then this would just be annoying during, and after a ride.

[bosslady]

Thanks to those who've helped. I'll definately look into selling it to some hipster, or returning it. Even if the helmet is safe, if there is no way to stop the foam degrading then this would just be annoying during, and after a ride.

Seriously? sell it? Don't be daft, that's pretty irresponsible. That helmets not fit for use. Destroy it so no one else can use it.

[ELectronicFlesh]

I do believe that it's fit for use, it's just a bit gross is all.

[Jantar]

I do believe that it's fit for use, it's just a bit gross is all.
Have you given it the 4 point safety check?

[bosslady]

I do believe that it's fit for use, it's just a bit gross is all.
Yea it'll be safe alright, until someone comes off their bike or scooter and actually needs to use it, that's when it won't be safe. We all want to stay upright but it doesn't always work out that way and theres not really any way to anticipate how bad an impact it might be. That helmet is freaking older than me! I'm telling you no, it ain't fit for use, don't sell it, don't give it away. At the end of the day what you do is your business but personally if something untoward happened I wouldn't want that on my conscience. Consider also that it will no longer comply with the safety standard it would have conformed to at the time because of the deterioration of the materials it would probably now be considered illegal, technically, to use. And seriously how many advancements have been made in terms of design, materials, construction and testing in the last 28 years? For the love of leprechauns, throw the damn thing away.

[nzspokes]

I do believe that it's fit for use, it's just a bit gross is all.

Really. :facepalm:

Cut the straps and bin it.

[ELectronicFlesh]

It complies with the Australian Standard AS 1698. If I get around to selling it I'll make sure to include all relevant information so that a buyer can make an informed decision.
Bought a flash new helmet today, here's hoping it'll survive as long as the other one.

[Jantar]

... here's hoping it'll survive as long as the other one.

Here's hoping it won't. :facepalm:

[nzspokes]

If I get around to selling it

Your going to sell something thats been given to you? And thats so old it beyond a joke and very dangerous? :facepalm:

[Madness]

Your going to sell something thats been given to you? And thats so old it beyond a joke and very dangerous? :facepalm:

You're keen, I can tell.

[bosslady]

It complies with the Australian Standard AS 1698. If I get around to selling it I'll make sure to include all relevant information so that a buyer can make an informed decision.
Bought a flash new helmet today, here's hoping it'll survive as long as the other one.

Yea, almost thirty years ago it complied with that standard. Honestly I hope this is just a piss take. Absobluddy irresponsible to be considering selling that piece of shit, unbelievable. I'll leave you to it, hope you make the right decision and bin it!

[Banditbandit]

Even if the helmet is safe, if there is no way to stop the foam degrading then this would just be annoying during, and after a ride.

Yeah .. and I hate riding behind other riders who shed bits of helmet which hit me in the face ..