Helmet Project

[JB848]

Day 7: (con't) So there I was no sh... Oh wait this is not one of those stories..

At work chomping at the bit watching the clock, can't wait to get home. 4:59 PM I'm out the door. I pull into the drive and there is a box on the steps! Wooo Hooo!

Back to the helmet for now. It's had plenty of time to dry and the hardware goes on...gently!



"Looking good Billy Ray", "Feeling good Louis" ("Trading Places" for those that don't get it)



I don't know if it's because the jacket's here too, but I think it looks pretty cool?




I'm thinking it turned out OK for a Home Depot "rattle can" no experience job. Some one asked before, "what no clear coat?" Yes, there will be clear coat in due time. I don't know if I am done yet. I might add some kind of triangle stripe on the very top I am undecided. I used some Turtle Wax "polishing", not "rubbing" compound on it to smooth out the edges of the stripes and even out the paint which worked very well. I have the sore arms to prove it. Wait where's my jacket? Be right back.......

[tt_four]

The helmet looks great now that I can actually see it.

I took some picture of the two I have that I painted. The first one, is an Arai, used to be black with some sparkles on it, looked nice, but eh.... I pretty much copied this paint job off another helmet, so you may recognize it. I don't remember who actually had their helmets like this, but it also had a big star on the sides, but I think stars on everything are pretty overused, so I was going to paint something else, and just never did. Some brass knuckles or something might look cool. I painted the black and green first, then if I remember right, I cut little chunks of masking tape, put it on wax paper, traced the barbed wire, cut out the shape, and then laid it right down the lines. It's all just flat colors, and I haven't clear coated it, but it's held up pretty perfect.




The second one is one of those HJC helmets that flips up in the front. Very convenient, but super loud when the wind hits it, and I barely wore it because of that. I'll probably wear it more once I get riding again, because I'll probably be going a bit slower this time around. Pretty simple on this one, just some strips of masking tape and white spray paint. I think I did clear coat this one. It's obviously shinier, but it holds up about as well as other one.




On the plus side, I pulled this off the top shelf of the closet after not using it for years, and as you can see, a perfectly good pair of riding gloves were just hanging out inside of it. I just found out the other week that I still have my old riding jacket hanging in the kitchen closet as well, I thought I got rid of that over a year ago, so I'll be set when I get riding again.

I'm running out of time for tips, my wife is pushing me out the door to go to dinner, so I'll post some details later tonight!

[Paulcet]

Minor threadjack to note what an Arai representative said to Jay Leno:  A minor drop won't destroy the helmet.  Video link: http://vodpod.com/watch/1160709-jay-leno-the-arai-man

[tt_four]

Minor threadjack to note what an Arai representative said to Jay Leno:  A minor drop won't destroy the helmet.  Video link: http://vodpod.com/watch/1160709-jay-leno-the-arai-man

Out of his entire museum garage, he does the video hanging out around a gsxr? lame.

Anyway, as far as painting tips. One thing that was easier was having a spare visor. I didn't have to spend all the time taping details and the whole front section. I just put on the old visor and then just had to deal with the rubber around the bottom. Setting the helmet on the board like JB848 did looks a ton easier. I just either set it on the ground, or tried to hold it, and both of the bottom of my helmets ended up getting some over spray on them on the fabric. No big deal, and it doesn't smell, but if you're looking for something to be done right, that wasn't it.

I think I had some sticky stuff left to clean up when I was done, but when you're doing some things that curve, like the bottom of the helmet, electrical tape can make things a little easier too. The other thing I always hated about the HJC helmets is how you could see the internals under the sides of the clear visors, the parts that clamp the visor in. I painted the sides of those as well. It doesn't look as nice as the actual side covers on the arai, but it looks a little better.

Hmm... well I guess I thought I had more to say than that, but it's really not too detailed of a process. I hate sanding, so all I did was slightly scuff up the surface of the helmet and painted right over it. I didn't sand between layers either, and I'm pretty happy with it.

[JB848]

Nice painting tt_four your graphics ability is far superior to my effort and skill. And yes, the piece of wood underneath was great accidental idea of mine that I will remember. Having something with bearings? Now that would be even nicer yet!

Letting sleeping dogs lie I am done with the dropping of the helmet subject. My head, my helmet, my riding skills. Been riding for 30 years plus...always wear a helmet scratched, dinged, chipped, dropped, painted, not painted, never cracked. Need a say more then a helmet is better then no helmet?

[JB848]

Day 7: (cont) OK so I am back and have the jacket, the helmet assembled and....lots of polishing and you guessed it Home Depot rattle can "Clear coat" paint



Riding outfit complete....JB848 is a very happy camper about now! Hummm, isn't that the same...it is the same picture as my avatar! Doh! LMAO, while I was posting this I was wondering if anyone would notice and catch on. The helmet has been done for a week now! Observant bunch you'all are LOL.



Even from behind it looks good and color coordinated, and for the coup de grau!



Me, the helmet, the jacket and the bike. Don't we look happy? For the one that commented on the exhaust rust...notice it is gone? Not painted over I took it off and down to bare clean metal and repainted it with.. you guessed it....Home Depot rattle can High Heat semi gloss black  



For those that didn't keep track of everything I used, here it all is.

Stay tuned..while I was waiting for the paint to dry on the helmet project I actually started another project , this one is a little more (understatement) ambitious which I will reveal soon.......

[Chanse]

Let mw guess your painting your bike to match the helmet and jacket....   

[yamahonkawazuki]

I can't find the article now but it said something about petroleum based paint damaging the shell? Anyone know?

Mary

ive hear this myself but ive not hear anythign convincing of it tbh, now if we can see your pretty face wiht your pretty helmet :0 , errm sorry [/threadjack]  , i know painting involves sanding  as well that in itself wont harm a helmet , TO A POINT that is. cause most ppl drop their helmets  , some many times, but im stll looking for a link as well mary, cause ive got some bitchin ideas i wanna try

[tt_four]

Nice painting tt_four your graphics ability is far superior to my effort and skill. And yes, the piece of wood underneath was great accidental idea of mine that I will remember. Having something with bearings? Now that would be even nicer yet!

Hmm.... that's a great idea, maybe next time I'm at target I'll check the kitchen section for one of those spinning condiment holders that you put in the middle of your dinner table. Or better yet, I think we had a spice rack somewhere that spun, and my wife was going to throw it out, I could just chop off the bottom and screw it to a board, if we still have it. Chances are all my paint jobs would be some kind of spiral design from now on though.

[tt_four]

Ok, so someone posted that link for the Arai helmet interview with Leno, which i appriciate, after about 5 years I finally know what to call my helmet, but anyway... I started browsing through Jay's website, assuming it would just have pictures of his bikes to see what else he has sitting around, because I saw an MV Augusta in that initial video, and those bikes are my weak spot. So the website isn't that great unless you're specifically into rediculously rare and old bikes, both of with I'm not, but he owns TWO steam engines. Just giant engines built to his basement floor. I just.... I mean... some people really like engines, but, you really need a steam engine in your garage? I know this is 100% off topic from helmet painting, so I appologize...
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/photos/1832SteamEngine_shell.shtml?img=1

[JB848]

New Project reveal.....I haven't decided weather to continue this here or create a new thread...what do you guys think? Check out these pictures, then you can decide should I stay or should I go no..wait sorry. Song in my head. Here are the pictures and before you laugh look at them all!

OK the objective? Is to turn this...



Into something like this.....



Now all I can find about the original manufacturer, (Carenada) is it is a Latin company? They make awesome fairings!

I have a couple of things in mind for this project.

1. Be as similar to this "Carenada" as possible, especially the paint scheme... you know I love red, white and black all ready.
2. Use all original parts and don't reposition the head light, mirrors, or turn signals, yes that means it will be 2 distinct pieces, fairing and cowling independently mounted.
3. Keep the materials as cheap as possible while maintaining a quality end result.
4. Yes, this will be 100% fiberglass
5. Improve cooling and comfort while riding
6. Be able to reproduce it on a limited basis (if it turns out nice )
7. There's more but I think you get the point.

So like I said don't laugh, I have a good start on the templates...



As you can see in the background (left) the base coat on the helmet in my "Professional" painting booth.



This is the prototype for what I had in mind, I don't like any shield half fairings for the GS500 on the market at all! If you remember I had the "Targa" shield before and threw it away. No offense to those that have it and like it but I, personally, think it looks goofier then hell from too many angles. Mine needs lot's of work but this is a work in progress.



Keeping cooling in mind, this is the prototype for the cowling.

Depending on the response I get I will start a new thread or just keep this project here. Until then keep your knees in the breeze and "Be Safe Out There" (Hill Street Blues)

[tt_four]

3. Keep the materials as cheap as possible while maintaining a quality end result.

This is always my favorite goal

[JB848]

Second that motion tt_four. I have read many threads, opinions, websites, etc. about buying fairings for the GS500E and the smartest thing I read was, "By the time you purchase it, have it painted to match, have the install done or do all the mods needed etc, you have so much money into it, it doesn't make a lot of sense. You could have purchased a bike that has it factory."

My goal is to make something, I LIKE, and if other people like it too, either show them how to make it them selves, or sell an unpainted version cheap.

I saw some one selling carbon fiber huggers on here for $150 plus shipping??? Don't get me wrong I think they are cool and look awesome! But for that price I will try to make my own. Be it out of fiberglass, but hey I get to have fun, learn in the process, and get the satisfaction of creating something myself

[cafeboy]

Good on ya.
I like it when folks jump in and try new things.
E-beer for you 

[DoD#i]

Buy some riding pants. Or hunt down an animal, kill it, skin it, tan the leather and dye it red, black, and white, and make some riding pants. You're only half dressed.

It's good to dive in and make stuff. Before you get all huffy about the prices that make you decided to do that, keep track of how much time you spend on your upcoming project. Then treat that time as if you were running a business - not $7.50 an hour, unless you want your business to fail awfully quick. I do some sideline work, not here - if it doesn't pay $40-50 an hour, someone else can have it - its a sideline, I'm not going to starve, and less than that doesn't adequately cover my cost of doing the work and giving up otherwise free time to do so. I have a few personal projects that might, like yours, lead to the offer of something here (not soon, if ever - I have a backlog a mile deep and the big one is the shop other things get done in.) Anything offered here would be offered on that exact same basis - it either sells at a price point that pays adequately to cover my time and the cost of doing business, or it doesn't get sold at all. If you want to offer up labor for free or $7.50 an hour, it will be no skin off my nose at all. But I'd advise setting your price a bit higher, or you will find that you're not actually making money at all. In any case, good luck with it - I agree about most available options having suckage, and playing with fiberglass can be fun and rewarding. Look up thayercraft if you want some good deals on bulk cloth.

Make a new thread for the fairing project is my vote - it doesn't cost anything and makes more sense than reading 3 pages into a helmet project only to find that it's fairing project. Especially when you look for it again once it's not current.

[JB848]

Thanks a bunch for the advice DoD#i it makes good sound sense. I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers with whomever makes the huggers..I want one just can't afford it is all.

I want to learn how to do this anyway and this gives me an excuse to learn. So far I have found that it is rather easy if you do it right and can make a mess real quick if you don't. I can make just about anything I want out of wood but that is not conducive on a motorcycle . Maybe if I get good at it I can learn carbonfiber too, but for now it is just fiberglass.

And I think you are right about moving this project to another thread this may take a little longer then the helmet
Keep those knees in the breeze and wish me luck!

[cafeboy]

 

[JB848]

I am so glad to hear you approve cafeboy 

[cafeboy]

I make the solo seat cowls and like I said it's good when folk want to do there own thing here. It's what makes this site tick.

[qwertydude]

Hey if you're proficient in fiberglass and you want the carbon fiber looks without the carbon fiber price or layup hassle try black fiberglass. Looks almost exactly like carbon when you're done. Way more realistic than a carbon fiber sticker. It won't have the carbon fiber strength but seriously who's stressing huggers that much anyways?