Helmet Strap

[dcarver]

My Arai XD helment

strap had a small 'button' you could fold back and connect to the main strap to fold the excess length to presumably prevent flapping. Worthless. Well, the button eventually led to the strap fraying... so I had to cut the strap about 0.75001 inches short (exactness of measurement exclusively for those in-gin-eers our there who love precision )... and now... it's too freakin short... a royal PITA to strap up..

So... is it safe to simply cut the strap even shorter, have a good seamstress weld, err.. sew an 'extender' piece on?

Or am I due for a new helmet?

 

[kaitsdad]

Hmmmmm........

Let's see here..........

Cost of new helmet cause you effed up the strap ..... $400.00. (It's how old? )

Cost of new brain cause you tried to fix it ...... ahhhh.... you probably won't be able to count that high.

Then again, you might end up with Abby Normal's brain - then you'd have that huge frauleinschticker to deal with..... and you'd like opera. Or, Eyegor could really make a mistake, and you'd end up with Odot's brain....

Your choice.

How about this - Replace the Helmet.

Kind of a 'no brainer', eh? (pun intended) :blink:

 

[nusman68]

Old man Arai would redline in his grave to hear that question! :lol:

All the helmet manufacturer's would, of course, advise against any stitching job; obviously in a crash, you might reap what you sewed! (damn, I'm funny at times..and then there's now... ) In 'real world usage' would 'quality stitching' hold-up? Probably...but do you want to risk it? Like any modification, it always gets down to the amount of personal risk you're willing to take. (Of course we all already know that).

Treat yourself to a new helmet; one less thing to worry about.

My .02

 

[dcarver]

Hmmmmm........
Let's see here..........

Cost of new helmet cause you effed up the strap ..... $400.00. (It's how old? )

Cost of new brain cause you tried to fix it ...... ahhhh.... you probably won't be able to count that high.

Then again, you might end up with Abby Normal's brain - then you'd have that huge frauleinschticker to deal with..... and you'd like opera. Or, Eyegor could really make a mistake, and you'd end up with Odot's brain....

Your choice.

How about this - Replace the Helmet.

Kind of a 'no brainer', eh? (pun intended) :blink:

I hear you Quackin' big guy.. but I didn't really effe'd up the strap. .just normal wear and use. Bought new in April 2006... ..and.. how much tensile strength is really needed for strap to keep the helmet on your cranium scareabellium? Hell, I've made my own tie downs before with no problems...How much force does it take to rip the strap apart? And, if that much force is required, what the hell about your lower jaw etc? Makes my TMJ seem minor, eh? Still, I hear ya...

 

[daviddowns2000]

I would have no qualms about sewing on a piece if done correctly, but unless you can detach the strap from the helmet it might be hard to work it on a standard sewing maching. Also, you wouldn't want the splice to end up in the D-ring when it is tightened.

 

[Toecutter]

I have a guy local to me that could probably do it cheap and good. Let me know, I'll ask and you can ship it over. I'll even deliver it, for a price

 

[slapnpop]

The stitching is the weakest point in automobile seat belts. Look at how much stitching and the patterns they use there.

I think it could be done, but I'd want at least 1.5x the width in overlap and proper stitching. Nylong straps like that loose a lot of strength when you start running stitches through them.

 

[Toecutter]

A tearaway helmet strap might be a good thing, based on what happened the other day at a fatal accident we had in Fresno. Can you say "decapitation?" I knew you could...

Even with a sewn strap, you'd probably still get a hangman's fracture before your helmet would pull off, IMHO. YMMV etc...

 

[Dudewado]

I bet Arai would fix it for you.

 

[Rickster]

an alternative to adding more to the existing short strap

-- remove the inner liner, and see what the strap is tied to inside the helmet

-- for example: i took apart an old Shoei RF-200, there's a slotted tab bolted through the helmet that holds the strap

It may be possible to replace the entire strap instead of scabbingn on a piece. and BTW -- if you had only trimmed 0.70 +/-0.0001 -- this may not have been a problem.

 

[wallypiper]

It may be possible to replace the entire strap instead of scabbingn on a piece. and BTW -- if you had only trimmed 0.70 +/-0.0001 -- this may not have been a problem.

+1

I would think the strap is replaceable.

And my strap snap works fine, always has, on two Arai's. I don't thik its useless. Don't cut it off this time. Use it. Or put some velcro on instead.

 

[cougar8000]

What about adding a quick release. I would think that it can compensate for what you cut off.

 

[Knifemaker]

What about adding a quick release. I would think that it can compensate for what you cut off.

That might work...if you only cut .7xxxx off, your "add on" should only aid in pulling the strap through the D rings and not be a point of stress once the helmet is properly cinched dowm.

Those little snaps and buttons they use to hold the excess strap up can sometimes be a pain, I slip one of those fabric covered hair ties over the strap and tuck the extra in there, quick and easy. I have also sewed velcro on the strap for the same purpose. ...If your helmet is exposed to such a force to break the strap do to "weakness" from stitching, your neck will likely break first..

KM

 

[slapnpop]

Who said wreck? at 130, my helmet is lifting so much the strap is starting choke me a little.

I don't want my helmet flying off at speed!

 

[Fencer]

an alternative to adding more to the existing short strap
-- remove the inner liner, and see what the strap is tied to inside the helmet

-- for example: i took apart an old Shoei RF-200, there's a slotted tab bolted through the helmet that holds the strap

It may be possible to replace the entire strap instead of scabbingn on a piece. and BTW -- if you had only trimmed 0.70 +/-0.0001 -- this may not have been a problem.

Rick, you may be on to something here with replacing the entire strap, BUT you would still need to sew on the new strap around the tab. It would give a cleaner look. I would not hesitate to let my wife sew on a strap and wear it. 1 inch overlap and sewn on all sides with an "X" in the middle of the square. It aint comming off.

Not to pick too much, but pull that calculator back out, Rick. The prob would not have occured at .66 +/- .0004. Re-check those figures man!

 

[Rickster]

Fencer -- FWIW -- I modeled it on Pro-E, did the finite element analysis on Nastran and had it verified by CCLRC and several other lesser known labs.

If anyone wants the stitch pattern and thread properties used in the analysis disclosed -- send me ^$

 

[Fencer]

Fencer -- FWIW -- I modeled it on Pro-E, did the finite element analysis on Nastran and had it verified by CCLRC and several other lesser known labs.
If anyone wants the stitch pattern and thread properties used in the analysis disclosed -- send me ^$

See that the prob right there! You used the finite element analysis when you should have used the relative analysis. E=MC 2

 

[Rickster]

Clearly, Fencer, -- you have no idea. :blink: we ain't buildin' no fence here -- talking about an actual real life helmet strap!!!

Bulk study for the insertion point into the webbing:

Thread diameter and strength analysis for shear and tension:

 

[Fencer]

Clearly, Fencer, -- you have no idea. :blink: we ain't buildin' no fence here -- talking about an actual real life helmet strap!!!

Carefull now, you might have to start a thread about hurting my feelings