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DIY Helmet Sun

  • Thread starter Thread starter Roostabunny
  • Start date Start date
R

Roostabunny

Guest
Hey fellas - I ride into the sun morning and night (darn that east/west commute) and I was ready to drop $15 on a little shield like this till I read an article on webbikeworld.

I was inspired and started looking for tinting shops where I could score some scrap for free. But before that happened I came across an old pair of unused window-sticky vinyl sunshields meant for the kids sitting around. I gave a shot, and this link has pics of my process.

http://picasaweb.google.com/roostabunny/DIYHelmetSunshield

I'm sure real window tint will cut easier and have improved optics, but this stuff works for a prototype. I'll let you know how tomorrow morning's test goes!

Edit: The caption was supposed to read "DIY Helmet Sun Shield". Sorry to disappoint the astrophysicists in the group who thought I've created an actual sun inside my helmet. In fairness, that is how it feels in the afternoon.
 
Last edited:
Great idea

Great idea

I just completed a 2 day MST (Passed!) and the one Coach mentioned this in passing but was talking about duct tape. Just putting it up in the top area of the visor, out of your usual field of vision so you can make it a sun shade if you are driving into the sun. I like this better as it will not obstruct any other part of the visual field. I'll have to see where I can score some tinting like that...
 
another sheer genius moment

another sheer genius moment

comes thru to the zook zeitgeist. Maybe we'll someday approach a free thinking approxomation of Suzuki Borg..........
 
walmart has the static cling window tint in differnt tints. I used the 5% tint on my old helment it works great just used lots of water to smooth the air bubble out. and you can remove it with out any problems!! It's a great tip!!
 
It works.

It works.

Thanks for the feedback fellas. No surprises, but here's the first test result...

Bottom line, it works.

In fact, as I had hoped, most of the bubbles came out overnight as the water finished drying. Result - the vinyl was clearer than I'd expected.

Here's what I'll do differently on the next one...

  1. Trace the shape from the inside of the helmet - I matched the shape of the visor and wish I'd matched the shape of the actual opening. It'd look more OEM and it would also be more effective. The current shape curves up on the sides and I wish it curved down for more coverage on the peripheral. It's much better, but I still ended up tilting my head a little to keep the rising sun in the tinted portion.
  2. Use real window tint - Might still be vinyl (not sure) but it's bound to be a less stretchy formula, so I'll get better cut lines and better optical clarity. Good tip on Walmart as a source - I'm still going to do my father-in-law proud and scan for tinting shops while riding around and try to get some stuff for free.

Good news is, it was free, took less than 20 minutes, and the vinyl will peel right off when I'm ready.
 
No, we're just too cheap to buy them.
Actually I just don't like carrying a clear one around to use when it gets dark.
 
Agemax said:
ignorant uk member here but can you guys not use tinted visors where you are?
Click to expand...
YES but I'm thinknig it's for times when you really DONT want a tinted visor. Kinda like back in the 70s and 80s when everybody was putting a tint shield at the top of their windshield (windscreen) on their cars.
 
getting worse? carry a spare visor then or if that is to much trouble for you then buy a pair of sunglasses!!!
 
Agemax said:
getting worse? carry a spare visor then or if that is to much trouble for you then buy a pair of sunglasses!!!
Click to expand...

With 133 posts you should be at the point where you know how stubborn most of these guys are here...
 
Jethro said:
With 133 posts you should be at the point where you know how stubborn most of these guys are here...
Click to expand...

Ha - what you mean there are strong opinions? No. :rolleyes:

@agemax - The spare visor's a valid idea - I even have a specially designed pocket on my summer jacket (places it so it neatly wraps around my ribs on my right side - very clever), so it would be no trouble to carry one.

In fact, if I factor what I'm paid at work into the time I spent researching, planning, and building, I probably could have paid for a tinted visor.

But that's too obvious. Being a DIY cheapskate is an illness that often overflows the bounds of reason, logic, and financial good sense.
 
this seems like a good idea really

im gonna do this soon... it seems to work and looks custom too...

i was ready to buy a smoked mask, but im gonna try this first
 
Legal item from my state

Legal item from my state

Here in the grand state of Wisconsin, where a fully licensed Motorcycle rider is not required to wear a helmet or eye covering, if you are spotted by a cop and pulled over wearing a tinted face shield after sunset there is a nice fine that they issue you for it. This even applies to the humble moped rider. Now, sunglasses, those do not seem to be a problem. If you are silly enough to think that they protect your eyes... make your choices, take your rides...
 
seems like the laws in different parts of the usa are different and in oz. get caught in the uk without a helmet or with a black visor like mine and you are subjected to 4 years hard labour lol
 
Sounds like a good money-saving tip but, alas, too late for me. I've only ever owned two helmets (a Nolan N42 that I loved and my current HJC CL-14). I bought smoked shields with each.

I must say that I've gotten very little use out of the smoked shielf for the HJC as my current riding consists mostly of commuting and I'm often riding home after dark and I can't be bothered to change my shield every day. Fortunately I'm able to comfortably wear shades under my helmet, so no biggie.

My next helmet will be one that has the built in "fighter pilot" shade. I love the functionality and convenience! Plus, I can pretend I'm flying an F-22 into the sun when I engage the shade. :)
 
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