Re-Build an HJC Helmet

[Stig / Major Tom]

I just completed 2 winters of scooter riding wearing at least one balaclava - an on very cold days I wear 2 - the second one even heavier than the first.

Helmets are supposed to fit very snugly (see any one of the pro videos on proper helmet fitting)
Wearing these balaclavas for months at a time has expanded the skull and cheek pads of my helmet.  Fortunately HJC provides the proper sized replacement pads for my XXXXL helmet. I bought the pads from Revzill (I think) nearly 2 years ago, for about $15.

Today I switched out the skull and 2 cheek pads with new pads - and my helmet fits like new again.

The cheek pads are held in place by 2 white snaps and 1 section of velcro.
The skull pad has 2 snaps at the back and 3 along the front edge.
I was not looking forward to tearing into this helemt - but I found that it was quite simple to change out these pads.  I will wash the old ones and put them in the HJC bags for next winter.
Even if you do not wear balaclavas - but just want to freshen the cleanliness or the fit of your helmet - this is something you might consider. My helmet feels very good again.
Stig

[GLV55]

Nice to know the helmet can be made like new again. Thanks for the detailed photos!

[stuo]

Well, I'll be dingle dangled! Maybe I can restore the funky old helmets hanging in my garage. Thanks, Stig.

[EvilTessmacher]

Stig, you get a cookie for this!
Yes, you can rejuvenate the pads in your brainbuckets. If memory serves, most of the manufacturers recommend doing it annually (probably so they can sell more pads!) which means you probably can do it every other year. I think the max life of a modern polycarb helmet is something like 6 years, so that would be two or three pad-replacements. Don't quote me on that.

Heh...
Nice going Stig!

[CROSSBOLT]

Looked at some HJC hats at the Honda shop yesterday and was impressed! Found a XXXXL that was too tight. They will have a shipment in next Friday and we will look. No bright colors in HJC but killer in-helmet sun shades and clear windows that stay up! Tried a XXXXL full cover and could not get my fat head inna door! Gotta be modular! Plus being able to replace the pads from a dealer who is gonna be there next week is a plus!

[JJJoseph]

Don't tell on me - My Arai helmet is over 30 years old and I've rebuilt it many times over.  So far it's survived two crashes and saved me from a fate worse than death.  I'm kind of fond of it after all we've been through. We're like brothers.

[john grinsel]

After wearing helmets everyday since 1955 and riding a lot----if they need work, throw them away=probably safer.  I go thru 2 new helmets a year-----returned from James Bay Road in Quebec this fall, noticied my $40 GMAX M helmet was not fitting right...and a little dirty inside, threw it away.   Yesterday new GMAX 3/4 S arrived about $40----these GMAX work for me as they seem to take the long duck bill visors I prefer, and are light (3/4) at 2.1 pounds---white that can be seen.

I don't buy expensive helmets....but have BSc Safety degree and feel the cheaper ones will work...in the right circumstances.....there is only so much your brain/body can take in crash anyway.

[Guzzista]

Don't tell on me - My Arai helmet is over 30 years old and I've rebuilt it many times over.  So far it's survived two crashes and saved me from a fate worse than death.  I'm kind of fond of it after all we've been through. We're like brothers.

Whilst Arai are superb, tell me you're not still using that lid after 30 years and several impacts. A helmet is a one incident item. The polystyrene used in them degrades over time. 5-7 years of daily use is the current guidelines for a helmet, even for a modern Arai. Seriously, if you are attached to it hang it on the wall or put it in a display case but not on your head when riding, it's a death trap.

 

[Neil955i]

Whilst Arai are superb, tell me you're not still using that lid after 30 years and several impacts. A helmet is a one incident item. The polystyrene used in them degrades over time. 5-7 years of daily use is the current guidelines for a helmet, even for a modern Arai. Seriously, if you are attached to it hang it on the wall or put it in a display case but not on your head when riding, it's a death trap.

 

+1 !
You might even be pushing it at 7 years IMO.  I don’t think I have any helmets in use now over 4 years old.

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[Guzzista]

+1 !
You might even be pushing it at 7 years IMO.  I don’t think I have any helmets in use now over 4 years old.

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Yeah I don't think I've ever kept one for seven years but for a high quality unit it's achievable. From this year ECER2205 safety standard is being raised to ECER2206 to get the certification closer to SHARP's findings.

For you guys around the world, it's worth having a look at the SHARP website for helmet safety stuff and to see their helmet safety test results. Its a useful resource, no matter where you live: https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/

[Neil955i]

Echoed and I did that and was pleasantly surprised at the 3* rating my sub £100 LS2 flip front helmet achieved!

Edited 20/08/2020 as this previously (wrongly) claimed the rating was 5* - my mistake, the 5* rating was for my HJC IS-17.  Apologies for the misleading post.

[Guzzista]

  Cool stuff, which model is it? I'm after a flip up for winter and I quite like LS2...

[Neil955i]

Mine was a Strobe.  Like this one but for a centre stripe in black:

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/344134

Two riders.  1) get it large as I went two sizes up from usual and it was still tight to begin with!
                   2) more importantly, just rechecked and it's Sharp rating is 3*  My mistake the 5* was for my HJC IS-17

[Guzzista]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the three stars. SHARP only test helmets that have attained ECER2205 standard so even a 1* is considered suitable for road use, it's just that some are safer than others.

I've also bought a 3* rated helmet for daily and work use (I'm a motorcycle instructor), and that was also sub £100. I spend most of my time chasing after trainees on 125s round town at speeds generally not exceeding 40mph (50mph on a good day!) so a 3* is perfectly adequate. For touring though I'll use my trusty Caberg 

[Neil955i]

An understandably pragmatic view.   I’m happy with my LS2 now the padding has settled after about 1,000 miles of use!


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