Re: [CR] caution on Early Brancale helmet anyone? FS

(Example: Framebuilding:Technology)

Date: Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:02:38 -0800
From: "verktyg" <verktyg@aol.com>
To: gear@xmission.com, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
References: <4B926CD2.8090307@verizon.net> <20100306082605.22ym70qxlwswow8k@webmail.xmission.com>
In-Reply-To: <20100306082605.22ym70qxlwswow8k@webmail.xmission.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] caution on Early Brancale helmet anyone? FS


The Skid Lid was just that... It would make your glide across the pavement a little smoother! ;-(

We sold both the Skid Lid and the Bell "Mushroom Cap" helmets but tried to steer customers toward the Bell.

The shop owner had one of the very first early model Bell helmets. It may have been a prototype that they sent him for evaluation. In 1975 I bought one of the first improved versions. It had better ventilation.

Within in a few months that helmet saved my life! I came around a corner fast, hit some wet leaves and skidded side ways on my left side. When I hit the curb, the bike flipped over to the right side and threw me off the front.

I flew about 6-8 feet and landed on my head hitting the edge of the curb with my right temple area. The Bell absorbed the full impact. I got up without a scratch but my front wheel was taco'd. THAT made me a believer.

I too have a collection of old helmets and leather hairnets hanging on the wall in my workshop. I've showed up at several classic rides wearing one of them for show only, changing to a modern helmet when we took off.

BTW, what are the first things that true bikies do after a spill?

1. check the bike.

2. look around to make sure no one saw you dump.

3. check to see if your bike clothes and riding gear got damaged.

4. Check your person for any injuries.

If things don't happen in that order, you need some medical help!

Chas. Colerich Oakland, CA USA

gear@xmission.com wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Harvey is right, and I failed to clarify that what I meant was to show
> up for a gathering with this helmet, no to expect it to protect your
> melon in a crash. Consider it the next thing to come along after leather
> hairnets. This is basically a plastic shell with just enough foam inside
> that it will grip said melon and not spin around in the breeze, not a
> state of the art protection device. Never was, really.
> I guess I assumed we all knew this, but should have clarified
> nonetheless. Thanks Harvey for covering the bases that I didn't.
>
> Greg Overton
> near Denver, where it was late when I made the original post, but that's
> no excuse, Colorado
>
> Quoting Harvey Sachs
>
>> I keep a collection of old helmets on the wall as conversation pieces,
>> and enjoy that. But, I don't generally ride with any of them.
>>
>> I do not remember any older Brancale which provided any crash
>> protection beyond abrasion resistance. The Skid-Lid was clearly
>> unacceptable. As I recall things, the firm filed for bankruptcy just
>> after it lost its efforts to derail the ANSI Z-90 bike helmet standard,
>> the minimumm that provided protection.
>>
>> harvey "cautious, even if I did use a Bell Biker once last year" Sachs
>> mcLean Va
>> +++++++++++++++++++
>> Greg Overton wrote:
>> Just unearthed an early Brancale hardshell helmet. Think - the Russian
>> rider in that great movie classic 'American Flyers'. That's what this
>> helmet looks like, albeit more of an off-white than bright white.
>> Narrow leather neck strap is frayed a little in a spot or two, but
>> this thing will get you noticed on your next classic ride or will look
>> cool in your display. Iirc, it's from the early 80's, kind of a
>> challenger to the Bell Biker and skid lid in those days. Wow, was it
>> really that long ago?