Topic: Talked my Dad Out Of His Helmet, But It Needs Work

[bill440cars]

       While I was down at my Dad's Wednesday, I asked him if I could have his helmet and he said that "I could take it home, but he might want to borrow it from time to time. Poor old helmet is about 50 or so years old and all the leather is rotted and I sure wish I could get it restored without spending an arm and a leg. I only have the one picture of my Dad wearing it and I'll try to get some taken soon and posted. Inside it, it says "AGV Italia" and someone painted his nickname (Bud) and a golden eagle (he and my Granddad were members of the Little Rock Golden Eagle Motorcycle Club) on it.

        Here's the only picture I have of it so far.

         




        If someone could "Blow Up" this picture, you might see it better.

[Ecosse]

Very cool Bill.

I'm big on history, family stuff in particular, and this kind of stuff is priceless. I love that photo and merely holding that helmet must be goose bump inducing.   

[troppo]

You could try talking to an upholsterer about getting the leather redone.
Do a google with any and all details you can get on it, you might be able to find some detailed pics of the liner when new.
And not hard to repaint if you take care, be a real keepsake if you could restore it fully.

[tramp]

try a good leather shop

[Hawkster318]

Bill,

I played with this picture a little.





At 150%



At 200%



(Note: The larger images appear the same size, if you right click and choose View or Save image, you will get the full sized file.)

[dustyc]

Pretty cool there Bill.  Get us some more pics.  New and old. 

[toycollector10]

Jeez Bill, don't restore it or you will lose it's essence, which is the essence of your father of course!!

[bill440cars]

           Restore or Not to restore, that is the question.   I understand and agree with both sides. I would love to get it back to new condition and have the eagle, along with his name on it and give it back to him (just to see the look on his face) and yet, knowing the history behind it does do something for me also. After my Dad quit riding, I sorta took it over and wore it while I was in High School. He's got a small office type room in his office and it's been on a shelf there, since he retired back in 1985. I need to build some kind of special place for it, at the very least.

            TC, you are so right about the feeling I get, just having it, much less holding it.

                                   Take care,  Bill 
       

[333]

        . I need to build some kind of special place for it, at the very least.

I would suggest something made from Plexi-glass, as it offers UV protection.  It'll also make it easy to keep the dust off it.

[bill440cars]

        . I need to build some kind of special place for it, at the very least.

I would suggest something made from Plexi-glass, as it offers UV protection.  It'll also make it easy to keep the dust off it.

           Now, there's a thought, plexiglass.   That would keep it from being handled also and that would be good because, each time it is handled, little particles of deteriorated leather and such falls out leaving a little pile of the stuff. The bill and the leather that goes over the ears and the side of your head (below the helmet itself), is what is deteriorating the most. The rubber bumper-like piece that goes around he helmet (right above the bill), is in good shape and the webbing inside the helmet is in good shape also. The white paint on the helmet and the eagle are faded and have a few chip in them. But that gives it "Character", right? I will ytake good care of this little item, I have no idea what ever happened to my Granddad's Helmet.   Now THAT would have been cool to have Both of them! Uh, am I starting to sound a bit "Greedy"? I suppose I am, but I was there during those times and lived those times and my brother was born in 1956 and by the time he was old enough to even know what was going on, that period of our lives was winding down (and it was so sad to me, to see it happen). I was just thinking the other day, if I had been old enough and could have continued the Motorcycle Shop (when my Granddad died in Dec 68') that Shop would have been 76 years in business by now (1932-2008)! That would have been SO awesome! Back to reality, after a little stroll back in time and thinking "What if". Bet you all think I'm slipping, huh? Wouldn't blame you.

                                  Later on, Bill    

[Rocking-M]

I'd go for a restoration Bill. If you do I've a good friend that does excellent upholstery work.
I build saddles and I can find the leather. I also am a good hand at painting. If you get interested and
need some help just holler.

[333]

You are not being greedy.  These things meant a lot to you.  They bring back great memories.  Greedy would be if you wanted them because of monetary value.  Which is probably why your brother isn't interested.

[jevfro]

I vote no restore...  It'll probably devalue it tremendously (not that it's the $$ that counts) I think it also takes some of the history away from it if it was repainted or relined.  Just archive it as much as possible.  Protect it from uv, dust, and too much or not enough humidity.  It's a portal through time and should be taken good care of!   Put a copy of that photo in the case w/ it and display it proudly!   It's a really cool helmet BTW!  got a good closeup pic?

[Bob Wessner]

I concur on the don't restore, just and opinion of course. At the very least, Bill, if you are considering restoration, you might want to clear it with your father first. Otherwise, you may think it a great gesture and when you give it back restored, he may think you 'ruined' it.

[Uncle Ernie]

Bill, I noticed the butter slipping off your noodle a long time ago.  Nothing new there.

I would restore the leather and leave the paint alone.  Assuming it's like other old helmets I've seen, It's probably fairly thin leather, and would be easy to work with- mostly cutting and gluing.  Like a lot of things- the paint is only original once.  All the scratches and whatever are part of it now.  I think it would be a shame to erase that.

[bill440cars]

I vote no restore...  It'll probably devalue it tremendously (not that it's the $$ that counts) I think it also takes some of the history away from it if it was repainted or relined.  Just archive it as much as possible.  Protect it from uv, dust, and too much or not enough humidity.  It's a portal trhough time and should be taken good care of!   Put a copy of that photo in the case w/ it and display it proudly!   It's a really cool helmet BTW!  got a good closeup pic?

          jevfro, here's the picture I posted and hawkster blew it up.

         



          right click on the picture, click on view image and then click on the + to enlarge it. So far that's the only picture I've got. 

[Ecosse]

I vote no restore...  It'll probably devalue it tremendously (not that it's the $$ that counts) I think it also takes some of the history away from it if it was repainted or relined.  Just archive it as much as possible.  Protect it from uv, dust, and too much or not enough humidity.  It's a portal trhough time and should be taken good care of!   Put a copy of that photo in the case w/ it and display it proudly!   It's a really cool helmet BTW!  got a good closeup pic?

+1

The idea that once restored it sort of erases the past that your dad (and helmet) has experienced, but freshened up in order to preserve it makes sense. Have you considered making an exacting replica for your personal use? Damon Hill's F1 lid hearkens back to his famous dad Graham... paying homage that sort of thing.

[bill440cars]

Pretty cool there Bill.  Get us some more pics.  New and old. 

        Have you been to the Motorcycle Memories over in the "Other Bikes" forum? There are some of mine and also others have posted some really cool pictures and stories to go with them. If you haven't been there, you need to check it out. Plus, as I can get them, I'll be posting more of my Dad's pictures myself.

                                   Take care, Bill

[Ecosse]

Bill,

I was juuust thinking of that forum page and wondered if you had posted about dad's lid.  Have to just go over and visit; it's been too long anyway. Great thread there.

[bill440cars]

You are not being greedy.  These things meant a lot to you.  They bring back great memories.  Greedy would be if you wanted them because of monetary value.  Which is probably why your brother isn't interested.

          333, I appreciate that.   You are exactly right on, about my brother! Everything he has, has a price tag on it. An example: I've got a set of Maint & Parts books for an Indian Military Model 741 that are in great shape and was offered $100 for them back in the late 80's and I turned him down. He really wanted them, but he didn't have enough money cause they weren't for sale.  Since then, I've gotten a crankshaft truing stand that is an actual Indian motorcycle piece and there's no telling what that's worth (money-wise), but it's not for sale either.

          I'm going to have to get me another printer so that I can scan things again and get pictures of things like those manuals.

                                 Thanks for your input, Bill    

[bill440cars]

   

        Well folks, at first I was wanting to see about a total restoration (if I could get someone who could reproduce the Golden Eagle and my Dad's name on the front of the helmet. Then, it was recommended not to restore it but to encase it to keep it as good as it is now and enjoy the History behind it. I can see that point very well too. Then Bob made the suggestion about checking with my Dad before doing anything with it and that's a good idea that I hadn't thought of. Then, Uncle Ernie had (what I thought was also) a good suggestion about redoing the leather and leave the paint as is.  Then Ecosse mentioned having a replica made. Now, my head is spinning.

       BTW, Rocking-M, I DO appreciate your input here as well and well let you know, after I decide what I'm going to do.

       I'm going to talk with my Dad about it and ask his input. I DO like the suggestion about maybe redoing the leather (which is only the bill and the outside leather that attached to the helmet and provides the chin strap and also covers the ears. Inside the helmet is in pretty good shape actually. As far as having a replica made, that sounds like a cool idea but, don't know if I can handle the cost.
This is far from being over. For sure, whether it is fixed up or if I can get a replica made, I will be building a case with plexiglass to put it in and keep folks from messing with it.    

        I want to thank all those who have responded with their input and let you all know that I really appreciate any and all input on this subject. 

[upperlake04]

  +5 on the no restore Bill
  As it is now, with the nicks and tears, head sweat and the patina of time, the helmet is directly linked your Dad. It's supposed to look the way it does. It's the genuine thing. A restore would erase that.
  Like the man  showing off the heirloom axe -  "Been in the family for 3 generations, only had 4 new handles and 2 new heads"
 

[tonycb650]

bill , I really think you should keep this one as is ,and possibly build/have made an exact replica.

[DarkRider]

+6 on No restore....+3 on replica made to possably present to your father...perhaps for a ride in the side car?

[Rocking-M]

Hey Bill, it's a tough call, go with your gut. Ignore our inputs.

Now more input...

If the leather isn't real bad it can be spruced up quite a bit,
but still retain all it's character. You may go that route.
I've done that quite a bit with old leather. I can send you
some leather care items to get if you decide to give that a go.