Would you drill into your helmet?

[Diesel]

I want to put a couple of self-tappers that will screw my bluetooth unit to my helmet.

Is this:

- stupid as it will compromise the integrity of the helmet strength?
- stupid because there is not enough material for the screws to grab on to? OR

- a great idea which will work for sure?

I lost my second helmet mounted bluetooth unit on the FarRide - 1st one was 2 sided taped on, this one had a heap of araldite - the heat and wind must compromise the bond - both times in 30+ degrees heat.

I cannot use the clip-on mounts that came with the unit as the R-Jays Tourtec Flip's interior is glued to the outer shell and the clips can't slip up between the layers - (am I wrong? - any Tour Tec users here with bluetooth mount?)

All help appreciated.

Cheers, Diesel

[edit: can probably use good old 'liquid nails - yes?]

[Turtle]

Diesel I personally would not as might make your helmet illegal 

[West Aussie Glen]

Diesel,
Probably not the accepted thing to do but I would use normal screws with a flat nut and washer on the inside and trim the length of the screw so it is level with the top of the nut. Maybe some lock tight on the nut. Would think you will only need small dia screws. This would be a lot better than self tapers, smaller holes, load spread over a larger area on the helmet and small intrusion on the inside of your helmet.

[Poppy Dave]

Packaging Tape, liberally applied.

[Brock]

I used some Silastic to glue the mount to my Tourtech, it stays stuck wont attack the helmet, but is reasonably easy to remove if you want to..

Do not drill and use self tappers, the last thing you need is pointy lumps of metal being hammered into your head should you try to headbutt the gound.

[Malcolm6112]

What I have seen on some bluetooth head sets is two plates screwed together. One on the inside, under the lining. the other on the outside, with the bluetooth unit screwed/ bolted to it.
This way the tension of the screws holds it in place.
Should be easy to make with plastic.

 

[Nh478m]

Tigerseal goo works a treat on anything, anytime, anywhere. It sticks like well....goo! IMHO - I Wouldn't ever drill a helmet no matter what. Be better off shouting at her.

With Tigerseal, you take the item off, you take off the gel coating too!

One trick I learnt using adhesive strips is to 1, use the registration plate version and 2, seal right around the joint afterwards with a fine but complete bead of smoothed sealant in a matching colour to keep the elements and wind out. That tends to stop adhesives becoming degraded by the rain, snow, ice or windrush - though I personally never exceed the regulatories you understand!!

[terrydj]

Mate why not. If the hemets that shody that a bloody hole drilled in it makes it lose the plot then somethings wrong. Its a small cylindrical hole, so where would the stress be and how would it cause a fracture. reminds me of the forum experts that say that if the helmet falls on the ground its no good??????
The experts that test helmets and the standards crowd??say its crap but the forum experts know better. I've drilled holes in my helmets for near on 40 years to secure cables or clips to em and have crashed at over 200kph with not even a a bad chip in th helmet so drill away I wreckon, but its up to you mate.
The only thing the cops worry about is if it has a sticker on the back.

[Brock]

I've drilled holes in my helmets for near on 40 years to secure cables or clips to em and have crashed at over 200kph

See, drill holes and you fall down..

[Tipsy]

  py

I was going to drill holes in a helmet years ago so that I could see where I was going until some one pointed out that I had it on backwards 

Tipsy

[Diesel]

py

I was going to drill holes in a helmet years ago so that I could see where I was going until some one pointed out that I had it on backwards 

Tipsy

You're uncorrigible Tipsy!             

To everyone else, thanks for the input - it's good to get a varied and diverse response.  Now, off to consider...           

But I did manage to get onto a supplier that will send me the same unit that went flying off into the Streak  scrub.

I'll have a very close examination of the mount again before I get the drill out, as you all make good points - but 'Have drill - will use' if need be I reckon.

I'll keep everyone informed...

Cheers, Diesel       

[JuST Peter]

What about large flat head nails? They wont stick out

[Diesel]

What about large flat head nails? They wont stick out

Thanks Champ - but they'll only blunt and bend when they hit my noggin!       

Did you see Streak's pic of the pannier reflectors? They are very cool bits of gear Pete - thx.       

[JuST Peter]

They're excellent Dave. They sure do stand out eh!
Wait a week or so and you should see someone else showing off theirs  - no names tho

[winston66]

        

  For similar situations as this in the past I have found that 5 minute araldite will provide a superior bond to glass surfaces etc, when ordinary araldite does not bond as well.
  Perhaps a trial might be in order initally because if the adesive worked too well . Retrevng the headset  in order to use it in another situation might prove to be difficult if not impossible.
  Cheers

 Winston66

 

[Biggles]

When I had a bluetooth intercom it came with a sliding square section that held very positively in a slot arrangement that was attached to the helmet by 2 screws tightening a plastic clamp (as previously suggested).
If your device departed because the attach structure gave way, why not just Araldite the aforesaid attach slotty thingy then the bluetoothy thingy can always be slid out via the "up - along - out" secure track when you want to remove it.

 

[hobs]

To insure of the best possible position for the device, You should put the helmet on as normal and have a friend hold the device in the optimum position and ramset the device to your head, I mean helmet. Helmet technology is very an exact science and as such any modification to a helmet runs a risk, be it ever so slight of premature failure when it is needed most, protecting your scone.

[Tipsy]

 

A nail gun is a damn sight quicker so as not to prolong the agony

Tipsy

[Diesel]

Well - I was able to manipulate the proper mounting bracket onto the helmet which involves screws that go into the bracket NOT the helmet - so no drilling the lid in the end.

Seems to be holding well.

Cheers, Diesel

[Couch]

Camos (bluetooth), that I purchased from Dale, has what I consider to be the best stick on attachment for holding the bluetooth to a helmet that I've seen . They actually conform to the shape of the helmet and the Camos simply slides on. I have them fitted to both my helmets and no way will they be letting go..........they're just so secure! Some of the others I've seen are laughable. I have two mates who I ride with who have both had their bluetooths fall off while underway. And neither of them were what I'd consider to be el cheapo's.