Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear What's up with my lid?

So I bought a second helmet, a Bell Custom 500, to supplement my full-face lid, especially when it's hot. (I know, I know . . . it's not as safe. But, golly, that extra wind in the face is fun.)

But I can't wear the Bell anymore. After it's been on my noggin' for 30 to 40 minutes, my eyes start aching -- and I mean aching bad. When I remove the helmet, my head is numb, so numb that I can't feel when my hand touches it.

At first, I thought my glasses were to blame. But I've tried different glasses. And I never get sore eyes and a numb pate when I wear my other helmet, an HJC.

What's going on?

sounds to me like it just doesn't fit well

I know its against all the "rules" but I "reshaped" mine.
1st removed the trim, liner and outer shell. Then using a small drill bit made a hole in the center to measure the total thickness and guage about ho much I wanted to remove. Took off maybe a 1/4" from the top and some from the sides using a semi soft abrassive wheel, cleaned it up with some 60 grit sandpaper, tried it for fit, hit the high spots and reassembled. Now I have a perfet fit. Sits right at the top of my ears and eye brows. Low enough so no more mushroom head and most importantly NO MORE PRESSURE POINTS!

As mentioned it may just be too small.
I'm with you Matt though, it goes against logic but here's a simple trick to relieve pressure points. I'm only talking a small area or two. Remove the padded lining, not the foam shell.
Swipe a metal table spoon from the kitchen, heat it with a small torch, place the spoon in the area of the foam and you can smooth it like butter. Go slow at first until you get the hang of it.

I had a helmet like that once. It didn't fit right, it put slight pressure right above my temples, made my head numb and gave me a headache. I quit wearing it.

Like Matt said , get you a Dremel and cut all the way around it (I think that's called circumcision) and take out the middle and then it should no longer have Numb Noggin Disease and you will also look like a Franciscan monk.

Get a new helmet or simply don't wear one. No point in fooling yourself with an ill fitting lid that you had to "rework".

Wade, you forgot to say after you removed the middle, replace it with some bubble wrap.

Dumb Noggin' Disease. I like that !

Thanks, guys, for the suggestions. Will ponder and putter here.

I have a Bell 500, beautiful retro bucket but it does take a certain break in period. My head is narrow & I can see if your noggin is a little on the wide side this helmet could put some pressure on your temples. Try to trim it down or at least compress some of the interior shell. I had to send my first 500 back to swap sizes...I would have thought that most 3/4 Bells all fit the same, not so.