The Groovy Look of the Vintage Motorcyle Helmet

In western Los Angeles, along the old Route 66, both tourists and locals can find one or more pictures that feature a bike rider in a vintage motorcycle helmet. That example of classic motorcycle gear hangs among the many photographs that line the walls of that eating establishment. Anyone who might have relied on some form of two wheeled transportation during his or her youthful years, would enjoy studying the cycle headgear in those old pictures.  

There they might find a picture of a Black Bell Tourstar. By the same token, they might happen to discover a photo that shows a bike rider wearing an “egghead,” a white Bell Helmet. An online search for a photograph of a vintage piece can result in discovery of even more interesting items.  

It might lead the Internet user to a picture of a pair of horns. Those horns would be one of the old Buffalo helmets. Those fuzzy items did not have the shiny appearance of the old “choppers” and “bobbers.” Those uniquely shaped pieces counted on the protection afforded by a metalflake exterior.  

During the time when bikers were wearing what we now call vintage style headgear, chemists had yet to discover the properties of the compound that has been incorporated into most of the present day head protection. Back then some bikers rode around with leather covering their heads.  

One thing present in both modern and older head protectors is a pair of straps. Even the most evil looking item that an Internet user might manage to locate would be virtually “useless,” if it failed to have a pair of straps. Such an item would not meet the stipulations laid down by the Department of Transportation.  

Therefore, the person studying all the groovy open faced and half helmets should look for these words: “Certified by the DOT.”