What laws are there about putting stuff on your helmets

[GI Jack]

specificly, something like this
http://ironhorsehelmets.com/item1044_Skull&Crossbones_strip.htm

I found this, and I was like, wow, now I could make my helmet match my jacket.


or what about thoose old school ww1 german helmets bikers back in the day used to wear, with the big spike on top. Are those legal? I don't wanna be stopped and get a nasty supprise from th law.

http://ironhorsehelmets.com/DOT_German_Flat_Motorcycle_Helmet.htm

that plus

http://studsandspikes.com/buy/spike-giant-inch-tree-alum-single-p-678.html

[sportbikegirl]

Ive seen riders with the colored mohawks attached to their helmets. I wold imagine that it wouldnt be illegal as long as it doesnt impede your vision.

[Joe28]

All I can invision is:
1). dropping your helmet on your seat, spikes down!:eek:
2). sliding your helemt across yours or worse yet MY gas tank!:eek:
3)dropping your helmet spikes down on your girls foot!:eek:
4) God forbid, you take a pavemtn test, the spikes on your jacket, helmet and some freshy part of your body meet!:eek:
I'd let the spikes sit home if'n I were you!:)
Just and old guys thoughts:)
Joe
I ride, therefore I am!:)

[schlyme]

the helmet said dot so it good to go.if not dot it just a fancy hat with no protection. do you need one in your home state? here in cali you need dot helmets. the spike, well is it bolted in or just glued onto.if it break away, thats better than bolt in in case you do go down.

[Archangel]

I would think (Ya I do that from time to time)
I for one would not like to go down on the bike and bend over and stick the front of my leg ,knee cap, arm, hand or any other body part with the spike on my helmet during the fall.
Not even once much less more that once.
But it is a free world do what you want.
Maybe it would be cheesy but could you get a rubber look a like spike? Just saying

[Maineac]

I don't think the spikes are illegal but the Nazi helmet is in poor taste and could suggest viewpoints you might not want to be associated with.... I'm no prude but everytime I see someone wearing a Nazi helmet I can't help thinking to myself "what a jerk off"

[nsbugman]

What kind of statement are you trying to make?

[Giant81]

I think as long as it doesn't impeed your vision your fine.

I've seen both here, I'm pretty sure they are legal, but you might want to check with your local police shop/DMV to double check.

[calebh]

i would be careful attaching anything to a helmet... legality aside, if you put a hole in that helmet to attach a spike (i noticed the big one was supposed to screw on), you may be compromising the integrity of the helmet, and therefore the safety of your head. anything that could catch on asphalt in a wreck (like a metal spike), instead of sliding as most helmets would, could break your neck.

[GI Jack]

I don't think the spikes are illegal but the Nazi helmet is in poor taste and could suggest viewpoints you might not want to be associated with.... I'm no prude but everytime I see someone wearing a Nazi helmet I can't help thinking to myself "what a jerk off"

What kind of statement are you trying to make?
1. It wasn't originally a nazi helmet. The nazis didn't wear a helmet with a spike. The design originates in WW1 germany, under the army of the kaiser, years before the nazis. The nazis used a similar design without the spike. you aren't one of those people who bitches everytime they see an iron cross are you????

2. I've got no taste nor class, don't care niether.

However I'm big into retro ****. And this is like seriously retro

i would be careful attaching anything to a helmet... legality aside, if you put a hole in that helmet to attach a spike (i noticed the big one was supposed to screw on), you may be compromising the integrity of the helmet, and therefore the safety of your head. anything that could catch on asphalt in a wreck (like a metal spike), instead of sliding as most helmets would, could break your neck.

probably gonna use glue, spikes are made out of aluminum and aren't sharp. use modeling glue, find something strong enough to keep it on, but weak enough to snap off if I hit pavement.

[rexmitchell]

i would be careful attaching anything to a helmet... legality aside, if you put a hole in that helmet to attach a spike (i noticed the big one was supposed to screw on), you may be compromising the integrity of the helmet, and therefore the safety of your head. anything that could catch on asphalt in a wreck (like a metal spike), instead of sliding as most helmets would, could break your neck.

What he said is correct. You attach a big metal spike to your helmet, when you crash you are going to have that spike through your brain. Mohawks are flexible so that they don't go through the helmet. DOT will not approve any helmet that has something like that sticking off it, I promise.

[SOG]

I have always wonder if we can use the helmet from the air jet or helicopter? Because some of them actually have build in Night vision mount :D

[letsgofast]

i just took a safety course. there they had a DOT helmet cut in half to show the layers of the helmet. the helmet is mostly styrofoam looking material. if you were to drill a hole through it, there isn't much there to anchor it. also the helmets are designed for a 1 crash 1 hit philosophy. anything after that, the helmet should be replaced. if you read the helmets manual, it'll say the same. also be careful when buying "novelty" helmets as they are usually not certified for wear.

[Kid2Nite]

Helmet?........what's that?

[letsgofast]

haha. pretty funny. its that thing that keeps bugs from smashing into my face

[MikieTaps]

hell mut?

jk, i think youll be find with the spikes glued on.

I am a full faced helmet type of guy... so I wouldnt wear that German lookin helmet... but to each his own.

[SOG]

I have always wonder why don't they make helmet with one of those bullet proof materials or made with a full solid of Polycarbonate... I think it might sounds heavy, but I think it won't be that heavy, right?

[Kaellie]

probably gonna use glue, spikes are made out of aluminum and aren't sharp. use modeling glue, find something strong enough to keep it on, but weak enough to snap off if I hit pavement.

Going that route you should be ok. However, I know some helmets react poorly with solvents and/or paint, so you would need to do some homework on the coating of that particular helmet before you go ahead.
Maybe go with something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOHAWK-MOTORCYCLE-Helmet-Spike-with-suction-cup.-spikes_W0QQitemZ350170412449QQcmdZViewItem
with suction cups instead?

Personally I see the german helmets and the iron crosses as nazi styling, even if they aren't originally nazi in origin. The swastika used to be a symbol of protection, but I don't think you can really get away with wearing one in public without appearing to be a nazi/skinhead/kkk sympathizer.

Now, if you ride a Royal Enfield Bullet 500ES Military: http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/models/pdf/Military.pdf
Then I totally take it back and think that is the coolest thing evar.

[SuperSherpa197]

i laugh at the attention whores that have those velcro mohawks on their helmets, and i'd laugh just as well to anybody with spikes on theirs.

[PerrySB]

In California those helmet would be illegal. Our law VC 27802 follows the federal guidelines and I have listed parts pertaining projections from a helmet.
Code of Federal Regulations
Title 49, Volume 5 - Revised as of October 1, 2001
CITE: 49CFR571.218
[Page 643-659]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
Subpart B--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Sec. 571.218 Standard No. 218; Motorcycle helmets.


S5.5 Projections. A helmet shall not have any rigid projections inside its shell. Rigid projections outside any helmet's shell shall be limited to those required for operation of essential accessories, and shall not protrude more than 0.20 inch (5 mm).

[Tdubb]

Wow, you must be really bored. You dug this thread up from a year ago.

I guess works a little slow for you today. LOL

[PerrySB]

Yes, the tax payers pay me to be bored at times. Thanks

[roadster]

Just make sure the DOT sticker is on it at all times, it not, put one on it.

[RadRacer]

probably gonna use glue, spikes are made out of aluminum and aren't sharp. use modeling glue, find something strong enough to keep it on, but weak enough to snap off if I hit pavement.

All I have to say is, it doesn't have to be sharp to hurt at 60MPH........

[blakedaking]

so people dont like "german helmets"? i was considering getting one just as the original poster wanted, the helmet with the single spike on it as a secondary helmet. I want a full face with mohawk as my primary helmet

[GI Jack]

I have always wonder why don't they make helmet with one of those bullet proof materials or made with a full solid of Polycarbonate... I think it might sounds heavy, but I think it won't be that heavy, right?

it doesn't work like that. They'd be heavy AND expensive. An army kevlar helmet can be ran over by a hummer repeatedly and survive. Its great. They can stop bullets. Even the latest ones are heavy, they aren't one bit aerodynamic, and they are EXPENSIVE.

polycarbonate, thats some sci-fi bull****. Kevlar/ceramic/high impact plastic is the real 21st century ****

All this, and I don't think for single accident protection of the head the margin of protection is any real bit better.

Its like asking why 1.3 liter 180hp sportsbike engines can't power compact automobiles.

[NINEGEAR]

well the site has a helmet laws section so check that

[MeadowHobbit]

Even if a spike is glued on, it could be dangerous in a crash. If you were to land on the spike, the force of impact would be concentrated on the small spot where the spike is glued. It would most likely punch right through the shell, foam and directly into your skull.

If the spike was rubber is would probably be safe.

[mmajeff]

Lol, tag for the original posters image.

[Kaellie]

In California those helmet would be illegal. Our law VC 27802 follows the federal guidelines and I have listed parts pertaining projections from a helmet.
Code of Federal Regulations
Title 49, Volume 5 - Revised as of October 1, 2001
CITE: 49CFR571.218
[Page 643-659]
TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
Subpart B--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Sec. 571.218 Standard No. 218; Motorcycle helmets.


S5.5 Projections. A helmet shall not have any rigid projections inside its shell. Rigid projections outside any helmet's shell shall be limited to those required for operation of essential accessories, and shall not protrude more than 0.20 inch (5 mm).

Hey that's good to know! Thanks!

[Vicleulcere]

Really convenient site interphoncards pushline com]interphoncards , thank everyone who has responded

[Weebel]

Im surprised everyone is so concerned about the law LOL

If you wanna find out just do it and see if you get stopped or not ;)

Although there's no helmet law in my state.... So I could go riding around in a giant chicken suit if I wanted..

[pdksh]

[snip]

Although there's no helmet law in my state.... So I could go riding around in a giant chicken suit if I wanted..

*Picturing big bird on a motorcycle*

http://msnsmileys.net/r/smileys/ROFL/Rofl_3g.gif

[HondaIlya]

Its like asking why 1.3 liter 180hp sportsbike engines can't power compact automobiles.

why not?

[Eye_m_no_angel]

I don't think the spikes are illegal but the Nazi helmet is in poor taste and could suggest viewpoints you might not want to be associated with.... I'm no prude but everytime I see someone wearing a Nazi helmet I can't help thinking to myself "what a jerk off"

I looked at the webpage and it didn't look a thing like a NAZI helmet to me. It looked more like a close copy of the current kevlar military helmet.

I liked the spikes though! I can see one of those in the hole where my back seat attachment point used to be. Might keep the Harley groupies from asking for a ride.

[GI Jack]

why not?

they lack the low-end torque to move 2000 pounds of steel off the line. In fact, sportsbike power is virtually non-existant in the RPM ranges need for regular daily automobile driving. So much so, it'd have a hard time moving a car.

However, since a sportsbike weighs under 500 pounds, they don't need low end torque to get them to move at everyday speeds. When racing, they rev their engines into the meat of their powerbands, around 15k rpm, and fly.