Getting a little more room in a new helmet

dtfastbear · 02-27-2002, 10:58 AM

My girlfriend has a new Bieffe Predator helmet, size XS. Her head is just a little too small for the Small, so we had to go down to the XS. This helmet will be the perfect size for her once it is "broken in" - we know this because she has used another XS Predator that has a lot of head hours and it fits great.

The problem is that right now, it is uncomfortably tight for her! I know, I know, there should NOT be any movement for the helmet to be safe.

But, I was wondering if anyone has some advice how to accelerate the breaking in process to get the helmet to loosen up a bit. I've considered stuffing something in the helmet and leaving it overnight or even pulling out the liner and putting something heavy on it overnight.

Thoughts or ideas?

BTW - comments about how we should have gotten a helmet that fits better are welcome, although they won't be much help, as we can't afford to go get a new helmet before her first DE - this Friday.

Thanks!!

Dean

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

A couple of OTE's should do the trick!

dtfastbear · 02-27-2002, 11:26 AM

Sorry, but OTE is a TLA (three letter acronym) that I am unfamiliar with...

don911 · don911's Garage

I don't know how you can break it in quicker...other than have it on as much as possible. She can watch TV in the evenings through her helmet and pretend she's a race car driver. I suggest the speed channel. Maybe they'll have some NASCAR in car shots to add to the effect.

If you have to get another helmet, I suggest a brand that provides "sizes"..7-1/4, etc... I know Simpson helmets are by size (Jr through 8). You can measure her head and find out the correct size. Bell may also sell by size.
Good luck.

dtfastbear · 02-27-2002, 11:32 AM

Sorry, but OTE is a TLA (three letter acronym) that I am unfamiliar with...

turbo dave · turbo dave's Garage

Do this carefully, but the factories gently compress the foam (under the liner) with a spoon or similar object, in the tight spots only! You don't want to compress or damage much foam, but usually a gentle massaging of the tight spot will help. She would need to wear it for a while, see where it gives her too much pressure, and massage it back.

Jack Olsen · 02-27-2002, 11:56 AM

I'd guess that OTE means off-track excursion.

john walker's workshop · 02-27-2002, 12:25 PM

paint her head with machinist's blue, install helmet, remove helmet and see where it's blue, massage tight spot with the spoon trick.

Don Wohlfarth · 02-27-2002, 12:52 PM

Heads can be different shapes so this is a constant problem.
The last thing you want is to have a helmet that fits too tight as it distracts from driving.
Use a little common sense on fitting. Put the helmet on and wear it for a few minutes. Helmets have a gloss finish so I use a magic marker with a felt tip to lightly circle the area that is tight. Remove the helmet, remove the liner. You can try using a spoon to compress the foam or even the end of a baseball bat, almost any thing that is rounded. Work slowly. Reinstall the liner and check fit. Repeat as necessary.
Buy a helmet that is snug before buying one that is too large. It can get very exciting when you're threshold braking and the helmet comes forward and hits your nose. Perhaps that's the optimum example of weight transfer.

dtfastbear · 02-27-2002, 01:00 PM

Great advice, guys. Thanks!

Now, one more question... just HOW toxic do you think machinist's blue is on the skin??

Thanks for the input.

Dean

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Yes, OTE is off-track-excursion. The best thing to do at that point is BFI - both feet in.

My too-tight helmet situation was fixed at my first DE, when it was demonstrated - by my own incompetence - that I had barely a clue how to drive.

My head rattles in my helmet like a ping-pong ball in a clothes dryer.