Helmet Mod - Reflective Tape, 3M 1/4 Inch

[sxty8goats]

I've always heard that too about putting stuff on helmets. I've kinda wondered about this because I see so many who have 'bumper stickers' on their helmets.

I like the idea because I ride at night and low light, I've wondered about ways to make myself more visible.

I think it's one of those things where it's hard to really know. Like....is it manufacturers being overly cautious about litigation? Without doing a test with two identical helmets, one stckered, and crack testing in 5 years' time, it's a contentious issue.

I'm going to take the side of caution and assume it's a true concern, thus not applying the tape. I'm sure there are adhesives that are the exception, such as on the helmet safety labels.

I had the same concern but then I noticed the "DOT/SNell" cert on the helmet was a sticker. So I decided on the side of "This is what I want to do.."

Most glues are hydrocarbon based, at least as the thinning agent. "Hydrocarbon" means gasoline, paint thinner, acetone, and stuff in that family. There are many different strengths of solvents derived from oil/petroleum, some very aggressive, some not so. So yes, they may have an effect on the outer shell of the helmet but I really don't think that the glue is aggressive enough to degrade the surface. But that is only my personal opinion based on a little experience w/ plastic and hydrocarbon leaching into various products packaged in plastic bottles. Honestly I really don't know and can't know without testing / experimentation. Maybe in a couple years I'll give this lid a good whack with a sledge hammer and see where/ if it splits

 

[ADVdrming]

They make the tape in a lot of colors. The colors reflect back the same color as the tape except for the black which reflects white. So if you bought blue, the reflection would be blue.

I picked mine up from amazon. Not sure if I mentioned that already or not. Just search 3m reflective tape there.

You should be able to find the tape at automotive stores (i.e. Autozone). I picked up some 1/2" red tape a while back. It's pretty cheap, ~$3 or so for a couple feet.

Thanks for the post, great looking job! :rockon:

 

[cap'n]

I did something much less sexy on my current helmet and the one before it, both using 3M SOLAS tape. I picked that tape because it's the brightest, most durable reflective tape made, to my knowledge. Also I care less about helmet graphics, I guess. I wanna be seen. And your helmet is the highest point on the bike, and the only bit that can be seen from 360 degrees. If you do ANY night riding, this makes a huge difference, and a lot of sense.

 

[sxty8goats]

I really like that helmet. I was looking for a predominately white helmet when I bought mine but none were available (except pure white). They were making the "Cameno" (sp?) but the shop didn't have my size in stock. When I went on line to try and find one the right size, they were sold out of larges....