[Ancient Wedgie]

My new helmet came today in time to run tomorrow.
But I've a minor problem with it that may be a signs of a major one.

<u>The minor problem</u> begins with Bell coming up with the brilliant (advertising?) decision
to add 2 additional, small, oval bell stickers to the visor of the helmet.

<IMG src=http://www.elisetalk.com/photopost/data/501/1106IMG_1370.jpg height=706 width=761>


The problem is the stickers fall in the line of vision. And they don't come off easily.

<IMG src=http://www.elisetalk.com/photopost/data/501/1106IMG_1384.JPG width=400 height=300>

Even steaming don't seem to loosen them beyond a small measure.
And the steaming I tried warped the windscreen a little.
GooGone took off the residual adhesive without marring the surface as other solvents could do.
I'm certain a knife will scratch the surface.

<IMG src=http://www.elisetalk.com/photopost/data/501/1106IMG_1390.JPG height=255 width=300>


And that's not all.
The nylon bolts provided do not have finished ends, and apparently were cut to fit.
While attempting to connect the visor with them,
I found that they don't feed easily,
and even spauled the surface of the helmet at one hole here:

<IMG src=http://www.elisetalk.com/photopost/data/501/1106IMG_1393.JPG width=800 height=600>

However, because they need finishing (with a file now, by me),
they don't feed properly.
If I don't file them, I'm sure they'll cross thread.

 

[Ancient Wedgie]

Is it just me?
Am I wrong to expect not to have to file the end of these bolts to fit?
That is, assuming I don't screw up the threads more than the manufacturer did already.

<u><b>The major problem is this:</b></u>
What with the short-sightedness involved with those sticker placements, and in the shoddy screws for fitting the visor, who's to say these helmets are as good as they need to be? What if they were okayed by some novice or ineffectual or bought-off safety bureaucrat?

As an engineer, I know that people who pay attention to the obvious things USUALLY can be relied on to have paid attention to the big ones. And almost as certainly, when the obvious things are faulty, there tend to be hidden faults that are apt to be much more serious.

Bottom line: Do you think small incidents such as this should be treated as a warning sign? Or are you simply going along with helmet requirements because the governing body says we must? Do you believe that helmet safety is just an excuse used to soak all of us into upgrading our perfectly good helmets for allegedly better ones every 10 years or so?

First question: how do I get those two stickers off safely?

Second question: Is there something else I'm missing regarding what it takes to make those bolts work?

Third question is up to all of you. <b>Doesn't this seem to be a warning sign? Of inferior workmanship overall.</b>

 

[mikester]

What were they thinking, putting those stickers on the visor ? That's really dumb !

You may be right about that and the other issues being a sign of overall bad stuff. But on the other hand, you as an engineer probably also know that something like the manufacture of something like a helmet is compartmentalized, so the chances are that the people who designed the helmet structure aren't the same ones who manufacture it who aren't the same ones who messed up the threads or stuck the sticker on in a stupid place.


Hey see you tomorrow, Gil ! Sorry I've got nothing as far as advice on how to get off the stickers safely, except for GooGone or Citrusolve, which you've already tried.

 

[Patricko]

I would see if you can take the smoked part off.

Mike will fix it in the morning

 

[JonOrangeElise]

Call Bell directly and ask to speak to someone who can offer experienced technical advice. My Bell helmet has always had an annoying rubber smell. Well, I called up and was transferred to someone in product development, who recommended a fix , gave me his direct line to call back, and basically said "We'll make this right." Just my own opinion, but have faith in Bell.