Sparco Open Face Helmet Change?

Cryos · 19 Mar 2007, 22:02 (Ref:1871798)

Hi Guys,

After i rolled the car and damaged my old Sparco Open faced helmet, i obviously had to get a new one; So i went for the same again. However this time i noticed the Chin strap is a Yellow piece with a Clip on the end thats totally not adjustable. On the old helmet this was a Black strap with Velcro and a Red Cover to go over it.

Now the first time i used the helmet i found that the chin strap was way too loose; Where as on the old one it could be adjusted. Incidently while taking off the new helmet the little clip that fastens the strap has "Pulled out".

Anyone else found this with new sparco helmets vs. the old ones ? Given light of a few accidents recently where helmets dont seem to have stayed on properly this change seems ill advised ??

**BertMk2** · 20 Mar 2007, 08:48 (Ref:1872073)

Are you 100% sure that it's not adjustable? That seems like a very odd change, also if the clip has "pulled out" would it be worth sending it back to be checked over? It's your head in there so it's got to be worth making sure everything is ok.

Cryos · 20 Mar 2007, 23:25 (Ref:1872698)

As attached.

I havnt seen anyone else with this strap

**Peter Mallett** · 21 Mar 2007, 08:12 (Ref:1872883)

Oops!

From your pics I think you're using the velcro to adjust the strap. I'm afraid this is totally incorrect.

You need to feed the strap through the two rings, then feed it back through one of the rings. This creates an interference "clutch" system. The popper is just to tidy things up it doesn't hold the helmet on in an incident.

Please check this with someone at the race because if you are doing what I think you are doing you are putting yourself in serious danger.

This goes for anyone who is unsure of how to do up a helmet.

rescue dude · 21 Mar 2007, 08:59 (Ref:1872913)

The little red tab is to help the Rescue crew/ marshals loosen the strap to remove the helmet should the unthinkable occur.

I've just checked and my Sparco formula full face helmet has the same strap. Peters instructions are correct.

**BertMk2** · 21 Mar 2007, 09:21 (Ref:1872928)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rescue dude

The little red tab is to help the Rescue crew/ marshals loosen the strap to remove the helmet should the unthinkable occur.

Just generally makes getting the helmet undone easier (I though the strap was usually cut if rescue/marshals needed to get your lid off).

Peter is right though - the only change on the helmet looks to be the popper to keep the 'spare' bit of strap tidy, nothing has changed in the way the helmet itself is fastened (which is as Peter describes). Try fastening/unfastening it a few times at home to get the hang of it and if you're unsure definitely get someone to check - it's your head (and that's reasonably important

) so it's best to be sure.

Teletubby · 21 Mar 2007, 11:44 (Ref:1873017)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Just generally makes getting the helmet undone easier (I though the strap was usually cut if rescue/marshals needed to get your lid off).

If we can avoid cutting the strap and writing off your lid then generally we will; unless the helmet has suffered any damage in which case cutting the strap is academic.

JimW · 21 Mar 2007, 12:32 (Ref:1873050)

Peter is quite right. Here is a pic of the correct way to thread the strap.

Regards

Jim

Hmm - that's odd. I can't get the page for adding attachments to load. Will try later.

**Peter Mallett** · 21 Mar 2007, 12:52 (Ref:1873065)

Oops. Wrong thread.

Cryos · 21 Mar 2007, 18:18 (Ref:1873205)

Hi Peter,

Might of explained it slightly wrong, there is no velcro at all on this strap, however the instructions you gave me do fit my old helmet. I was aware of the red piece to release the helmet and acctually broke the clip checking it. But the yellow piece seems too long... ?

Eddy V · 21 Mar 2007, 20:01 (Ref:1873289)

I do not sell Sparco helmets, but from your picture everything looks okay.
If, like Peter wrote, you feed the strap through both rings and then loop it back over the first ring and under the second ring there should be no problem.
Pull hard to secure it.

Cryos · 21 Mar 2007, 20:30 (Ref:1873359)

Top notch stuff gang

It all makes sence now

JimW · 21 Mar 2007, 21:33 (Ref:1873411)

That's the picture I was after.

Jim

Cryos · 21 Mar 2007, 22:18 (Ref:1873442)

now all i have to do is get it sent back to get the clip repaired. Much appriciated guys.

Robyn Slater · 21 Mar 2007, 22:34 (Ref:1873459)

Would,nt it have been a good idea to supply instructions with the helmet that explained the method to secure the strap?

**Peter Mallett** · 22 Mar 2007, 05:52 (Ref:1873557)

Hmm,

Must say that you could be right.

Cryos · 22 Mar 2007, 17:15 (Ref:1873868)

It comes with instructions for the old velcro system.....

**BertMk2** · 23 Mar 2007, 08:52 (Ref:1874309)

The old helmets worked on exactly the same principle - pass the strap through both metal rings then back through one of them - the velcro was just to keep the 'spare' bit of strap from flapping around.

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