Topic: Modified Half Helmet

[SD750F]

I just got done adding a little reflective tape to my half helmet. Thought I would post a picture to see what everyone thinks?

Scott

[kghost]

Looks cool to me.

[Uncle Ernie]

What brand/make is that?

I just got an HCI I spruced up some, but they only come in a matt finish.  I'm thinking of spraying it with a clear coat...

[SD750F]

My helmet is a KBC XL. This make seams to run a little small compared to other makes (I have a large head) I have worn or tried. Got it on sale last fall.

Scott

[Raul CB750K1]

My helmet is a KBC XL. This make seams to run a little small compared to other makes (I have a large head) I have worn or tried. Got it on sale last fall.

Scott

That reflective tape will be very helpful to protect your face in case of a spill.......   

[Ecosse]

Good job- looks like it came that way from where I sit!

[SD750F]

That reflective tape will be very helpful to protect your face in case of a spill.......

Well I won't need to worry when I ride with my modular... I only use the half when I ride in town on a commute.

Scott

[Ecosse]

How difficult was it for the tape to follow the compound curve of the helmet? And would you say the tape was very thick or thin? Where did you source it?

So many questions... 

[SD750F]

Making the reflective stickers...

Bought some white reflective tape. Looked all over here were I live and found only 2 inch wide tape in a package. Really wanted a small roll of 1 inch wide to eliminate the fold marks in the tape and make it easier to cut the 1 inch lengths. But I had to mark and cut the tape down the length. Be really careful to ensure that all the squares are nearly perfect in size. This will make the application much more easy.

First I marked the helmets center on the front and back. Then marked a 1 inch wide guide. Then I placed two more pieces of tape to split the long axis axis into equal thirds. This doesn't have to be perfect. Use a couple common points lit rivets or other mechanical items on the helmet to find the center line of the two new pieces of tape. Mark their centers and do the same with the front and back pieces of tape and place marks 1 inch wide centered on the center mark. This will allow you to place one continuous piece of tape from the front to the back centered on the helmet. Removing the placement mark tapes as you place it on the helmet.

Once this centered tape line looks good, place two more runs of tape on either side. Provide an ever so slight even gap between to make the application of the reflective tape easier. Figure buy using a flexible measuring tape the placement of the pattern you want and mark the corners on the center tape and transfer this to the two outside tapes. Mark on the outside tapes either the void or reflective tape locations and remove the center tape. Just clean the helmet surface and start placing the square pieces of reflective tape between the outside guide tape marks. Keep them even and only activate the pressure sensitive backing when you are sure. Once the center line is done, remove the two outside guide tapes and do the same as for the center line placement. Clean and using the corners place the squares...

The reflective tape I am using is around 3-5mils thick. Pretty hard to tear and the backing is thicker than the actual material. I found it easier to pull back an edge of the squares to expose a strip less than a 1/4" wide so I could hold the squares and place them more accurately on the pattern.

Scott

[tramp]

kind of a sixties racing look
looks good

[SD750F]

I'm going for the Ton Up Rocker look from Britain. I use to be a punk and I like that whole look of the minimal Dunstall, BMW, Triumph, Norton, or what ever you can get riding look. And having a checker on something is part of the look.

Scott