Riding Gear

[waldrtw]

Not sure where to post this question so I will try here first. I finally talked my dad into given me the old 1963 305 Dream! He has had the bike since I was born. I just turned 33 last month. I was just wondering what kind of helment and jacket would fit the right period look when I ride the bike? I have a full face sport bike helment but to me that does not fit the bike. Any help would be great.

Tim

[mike69]

As far as helmets go check out Buco helmets on ebay.
That's what I used in the 60"s

[CliffC]

I used a Bell 500 and a Bell Magnum. CliffC

[Vince Lupo]

Davida make some good looking 'period' helmets. Have a look at either their 'Jet' or 'Classic Jet'.

Problem with buying an actual helmet from the 1960's is that the interior will probably be shot - not to mention the fact that the helmet will be about 45 years old in terms of its safety construction (but how safe are jet-type helmets anyway???).

Jackets - well depends on what kind of 'look' you're going for. That said, the Schott Perfecto has been around for over 80 years, so that might be a good choice. But, if you're looking for something more 'cafe' looking, then how about the Schott 671? If you went with this, then a Captain America helmet would be a must!

http://www.schottnyc.com/products/other ... rcycle.htm

Don't forget the Levi's 501's!

[e3steve]

Nice jacket, Vince! I'd rather go with a 'Union Jack' helmet though, please......

Actually, I'm looking for something from Arai, plain white and with a lift-up chin bar. I like the luxury of open-face when pootling around, but going full-face above 50mph. Flies & shit!

I have an HJC something-or-other that I bought for my 500-mile delivery ride in UK when I collected CB; it has all the above attributes but is metallic grey and looks too big. It was cheap, though, at under £50, on offer!

I usually summer-ride in shorts, polo & yachtie Timberland sandals. I always wear my Dainese plain black gloves, though; after all, one needs protection.......... When it's colder I don my 'North Sails' Kevlar cream-coloured jacket -- light enough to be seen by the Majorcan dorkie-dickhead-drivers: no foresight, 90% luck, 8% fear & 2% skill. And that's the better ones!

I do like that jacket......

[Vince Lupo]

That's the jacket that Peter Fonda wore in Easy Rider, so the Captain America helmet would actually go with it (and hey, it's period!).

Shorts and sandals? Ouch - wouldn't want to go down with that on. Skin grafts aren't on my list of favourite things....

I have a Schott Perfecto, and I have to say that the quality is top-notch. True, they aren't cheap, but the quality is definitely there. Another option would be a Belstaff Trialmaster - the new versions have the removable armour, and that design has been around since about 1924.

You're pretty fortunate in terms of helmet choices - there are a bunch of different companies who are doing 'retro' type helmets. Nolan has a pretty neat looking one, and Bell re-introduced a Jet helmet (though I don't think it's available in the U.S). Arai, Shoei, HJC all have 3/4 'open' type helmets, so I think any of them would be fine.

Boots? How about a nice pair of Red Wing Engineer boots? And don't forget the gloves....

Of course, if you wanted to be truly period on the Dream, maybe a Hawaiian shirt, flip-flops and no helmet might in fact be more accurate (for that sort of Beach Boys look). Or, how about a peasant shirt with purple striped pants, an orange feather boa and a pair of Cuban heeled boots? Now THAT would be period!

[Eljeef]

Here's the helmet I would like to go for...if money were no object. I like the black one with the visor whose lines seem to flow off the Dream. http://www.ateliersruby.com/ Sorry, that link isn't working quite like I expected. Click the link, then click on the U.K. link on the page. Go to the top of that page and click on collections, drop down menu shows helmets. I like the Belvedere.