Old Arai lid - safe to use?

[Jamesy D]

My dad's mate has been doing a bit of a clearout, and is getting rid of stuff he doesn't need, including a lot of bike gear, as he no longer rides. This stuff is getting given to me and my dad for free.

One thing that has been discovered is a 10-year-old Arai (unaware of the specific model) that's still in the box, totally un-used, the protective film still on the visor. I've heard before that you should replace a lid every 5 years, and that they have shelf lives, but if this thing has lived in a box for ten years should it be fine to ride with?

I ask because it's in my size and it's free, so is it worth having or fit only for the skip?

[Biker Biggles]

Id use it.Firstly I think the five year rule applies to helmets in actual use,exposed to sunlight and road filth etc.I also think a lot of it is bull from the industry to make sure you keep buying new lids.

[Stig]

Yeah, I'd use it too.

[rictus01]

the "shelf life" thing dates back to the old polycarb helmets, and various reactions to paint and sunlight, todays lids are of different construction, check all the fittings are in good order and it fits you, it should be fine.

Cheers Mark.

[widepants]

dont use it,give it to me to dispose of for you;)

[cringer]

isnt it more important that it fits you properly

[Jamesy D]

isnt it more important that it fits you properly

Well that's a matter we can come to when it gets to me, this was more a question of if it's even worth bringing home, which the consensus seems to be 'yes'.

Just been chatting to my dad and it might not be as old as believed, by his description it's a Quantum F, with two front vents and one large exhaust vent. Score.

Cheers all!

[ethariel]

An original Arai Quantum, the most comfortable lid i ever owned....

Did well banging off the tarmac several times while decelerating from 50 and bouncing down the road (with me in it obviously)

[cringer]

arent the budget shoei and arai the same design going back 20 years or so.

Im sure i can remember my dads helmets in the 80s looking very similar.

Although in those days they were probably made of wood and horse hair :-)

[Jamesy D]

Although in those days they were probably made of wood and horse hair :-)

Horse hair? You were lucky! We got to wear half a crisp packet, and that's if we were good.






Please tell me someone gets this Monty Python reference...

[cringer]

Half a crisp packet? You were lucky!

If i wore any form of head gear our dad would kill us for being a puff!

[Lozzo]

the "shelf life" thing dates back to the old polycarb helmets, and various reactions to paint and sunlight, todays lids are of different construction, check all the fittings are in good order and it fits you, it should be fine.

Cheers Mark.

A helmet's shelf life is still relevant today. Even modern composite materials degrade with UV light etc and the ACU have a nothing over 5 years rule on all race helmets. One reason helmets have a lifespan when in regular useage is the interior liners degrade with sweat and grime over the years, which can affect their effectiveness in a crash situation.

I'd be happy to use this lid as it's been kept away from UV light and has never been used before, it is in effect a new lid.

The Quantum F was one of the comfiest helmets ever made, I had one for a short time, until it got destroyed in an accident. My head was fine even though the helmet looked like it had been run over by a tank.

[TamSV]

Half a crisp packet? You were lucky!

If i wore any form of head gear our dad would kill us for being a puff!

Tell that to the kids today and they won't believe you!

I'd definitely wear this lid but then I'm probably a bit more relaxed about these things than I should be. My brother-in-law gets a nice new lid every year and looks after them.

I got my current Shoei out of his wheelie bin.:)

[Jamesy D]

Just got the helmet off my dad. It's as I thought - totally brand new, still with the tags on it even. Could possibly do with a slightly different lining, but my new Arai Quantum F is looovely.

Tidy!

Gotta love coppers aye

[Bri w]

Horse hair? You were lucky! We got to wear half a crisp packet, and that's if we were good.






Please tell me someone gets this Monty Python reference...

Half a crisp packet?! Luxury!

We had to lick road clean with our tongue. And when got home our dad would beat us with broken bottle.

No, don't know what your on about.

Anyway, what flavour is it?

[TamSV]

A broken bottle? We used to DREAM about being beaten with a broken bottle.

[Bri w]

A broken bottle? We used to DREAM about being beaten with a broken bottle.

So who are you then? The popular people's front of Judea?

[TamSV]

**** off! We're the Judean Peoples Front.

[Bri w]

**** off! We're the Judean Peoples Front.

Language.

You're a very naughty boy......*in a high pitched squeaky voice*

[Jamesy D]

SPLITTERS!


What flavour? Why it is a lovely vanilla*! Currently sans the Arai stickering, as they had been replaced with the Police badges, so I'm on the lookout for some to make it look finished. Apart from that, tis lovely.





*(White, fyi)

[cringer]

Language.

You're a very naughty boy......*in a high pitched squeaky voice*

Lucky lucky b******s

Proper jailers pet....

[Bri w]

Lucky lucky b******s

Proper jailers pet....

Never had a roman spit on me.

[cringer]

We're Knights of the Round Table
We dance whene'er we're able
We do routines and chorus scenes
With footwork impec able

We dine well here in Camelot
We eat ham and jam and Spam a lot


We're Knights of the Round Table
Our shows are formidable
But many times we're given rhymes
That are quite unsingable

We're opera-mad in Camelot
We sing from the diaphragm a lo-o-o-o-t

In war we're tough and able
Quite indefatigable
Between our quests, we sequin vests
And impersonate Clark Gable

It's a busy life in Camelot
I have to push the pram a lot

[Bri w]

We're Knights of the Round Table
We dance whene'er we're able
We do routines and chorus scenes
With footwork impec able

We dine well here in Camelot
We eat ham and jam and Spam a lot


We're Knights of the Round Table
Our shows are formidable
But many times we're given rhymes
That are quite unsingable

We're opera-mad in Camelot
We sing from the diaphragm a lo-o-o-o-t

In war we're tough and able
Quite indefatigable
Between our quests, we sequin vests
And impersonate Clark Gable

It's a busy life in Camelot
I have to push the pram a lot

C'mon then, its only a flesh wound.

[cringer]

Running away... Chicken. I'll bite ya leg off

[Bri w]

its a holy gourd

[jambo]

While this thread has decended into a Monty Python quote-off (far more entertaining than many threads), I would say that I'd happily wear the lid. However, if you're in any doubt take it to an Arai gold retailer (all hein gericke stores apply) and they can post the lid back to Arai for free safety testing and certification. This may be worth doing for piece of mind.

Jambo

[TamSV]

While this thread has decended into a Monty Python quote-off

I've had enough of it TBH.

I don't want to talk to you no more, you empty headed animal food trough wiper. I fart in your general direction. Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!

[cringer]

Were all individual




I'm not!

[cringer]

And our fathers

And our fathers fathers

And our fathers fathers fathers

........

[Bri w]

And our fathers

And our fathers fathers

And our fathers fathers fathers

........

Were all "bl00dy vikings."