Griffin helmets
Discussion
Jeez, got me doing it now. Dug this old thing out. All my own work with rattle cans, if memory serves right maybe 1977? Wore it for quite a few years until I had a biking hiatus between my Z1R and GPz1100, at which point it was too old and got replaced. At which point I discovered a Griffin head is the same as a Shoei head, but not an Arai head.
JoeBolt said:
Reading this thread has prompted me to drag mine out of a cupboard, clean it up a bit and take some photos. It's a Griffin Cd Clubman.
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|https://thumbsnap.com/WSboTNVH[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/p9X29Dea[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/3DLYXi2p[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/oWerC31G[/url]
I bought this way back in 1983 (is that really 41 years ago?) just after I passed my test and to match my first 'big' bike, A Kawasaki z550A2. A2 was part of the model designation, nothing to do with licensing. Just like this one: -
I last used the helmet in about 1989 and since then it has taken up space in various cupboards and boxes. The shell is in very good condition, never dropped, but the lining has gone all saggy like a Jaguar head-lining. It has come away from the internal padding. I don't know why I've kept it so long. A reminder of simpler, carefree times I guess. I suppose it's no longer safe to use, well it probably is until you have a crash!
It's actually the second one I owned. The first was blue to match my Suzuki AP50. My mates were all opting for cheaper Kangol lids but they mostly rode fizzes. HaHa! I read in a motorcycle magazine that the Griffin was the choice of the "mature, serious rider" which is exactly how I saw myself as a 16 year old, tearing up the neighbourhood on my 'ped. I liked all the fancy leather and shiny chrome trim. The blue one had a chin glove rather than the air-dam, a flap of leather and fabric which fastened under the chin, which I preferred.
I had a wee tumble on the AP50, which resulted in me striking the road face-first. I turned up for my test on a Yamaha (erm) RD125 wearing that helmet and the first thing the examiner did was b
k me for the obvious damage to the helmet. He bked me again when I started the Yam and he heard the micron (bean can) exhausts. He said they were illegal and if the police stopped me, that was it, he'd fail me. Later he moaned that he'd barely been able to see my indicators in the bright sunlight. He passed me though, bregrudgingly. It's a good job he never twigged that the RD125 was actually an RD200 with 125 stickers on the side panels.
I'm planning to retire and emigrate soon, so that will mean a big clear out and I'll finally have to get rid. I wonder if it would be a good addition to anyone's helmet collection?
RD200 / RD125, haha, that’s a classic !! I rode my RD400C around Chingford /Walthamstow with 250 side panels on it, whilst it was being re painted ( several times ) caused much frustration when a 250 pulled up alongside for a “ tear up “ !
I also had an RD200 Electric, an N registered one, one of the best bikes I’ve ever owned, particularly on its “ Dunlop Rain Cheater “ tires !
[url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/WSboTNVH[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/p9X29Dea[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/3DLYXi2p[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/oWerC31G[/url]I bought this way back in 1983 (is that really 41 years ago?) just after I passed my test and to match my first 'big' bike, A Kawasaki z550A2. A2 was part of the model designation, nothing to do with licensing. Just like this one: -
I last used the helmet in about 1989 and since then it has taken up space in various cupboards and boxes. The shell is in very good condition, never dropped, but the lining has gone all saggy like a Jaguar head-lining. It has come away from the internal padding. I don't know why I've kept it so long. A reminder of simpler, carefree times I guess. I suppose it's no longer safe to use, well it probably is until you have a crash!
It's actually the second one I owned. The first was blue to match my Suzuki AP50. My mates were all opting for cheaper Kangol lids but they mostly rode fizzes. HaHa! I read in a motorcycle magazine that the Griffin was the choice of the "mature, serious rider" which is exactly how I saw myself as a 16 year old, tearing up the neighbourhood on my 'ped. I liked all the fancy leather and shiny chrome trim. The blue one had a chin glove rather than the air-dam, a flap of leather and fabric which fastened under the chin, which I preferred.
I had a wee tumble on the AP50, which resulted in me striking the road face-first. I turned up for my test on a Yamaha (erm) RD125 wearing that helmet and the first thing the examiner did was b
k me for the obvious damage to the helmet. He bked me again when I started the Yam and he heard the micron (bean can) exhausts. He said they were illegal and if the police stopped me, that was it, he'd fail me. Later he moaned that he'd barely been able to see my indicators in the bright sunlight. He passed me though, bregrudgingly. It's a good job he never twigged that the RD125 was actually an RD200 with 125 stickers on the side panels.I'm planning to retire and emigrate soon, so that will mean a big clear out and I'll finally have to get rid. I wonder if it would be a good addition to anyone's helmet collection?
RD200 / RD125, haha, that’s a classic !! I rode my RD400C around Chingford /Walthamstow with 250 side panels on it, whilst it was being re painted ( several times ) caused much frustration when a 250 pulled up alongside for a “ tear up “ !
I also had an RD200 Electric, an N registered one, one of the best bikes I’ve ever owned, particularly on its “ Dunlop Rain Cheater “ tires !
Does anyone recall
1/ Owen helmets ? I believe that they were the first to be fitted with a double strap arrangement. A late biker pal Darren Wollard R.I.P. who was killed on an R6 in 2007, worked @ Owens factory, which was down an alley way off of Chingford Mount, guessing he worked there in the early mid 80s.
Owen never seemed to be able to hit the big time in helmet sales.
2/ King helmets, didn’t Sheen wear one for a while ?
My first full face was a “ Paddy Hopkirk Agordo in black for £35 odd quid.
1/ Owen helmets ? I believe that they were the first to be fitted with a double strap arrangement. A late biker pal Darren Wollard R.I.P. who was killed on an R6 in 2007, worked @ Owens factory, which was down an alley way off of Chingford Mount, guessing he worked there in the early mid 80s.
Owen never seemed to be able to hit the big time in helmet sales.
2/ King helmets, didn’t Sheen wear one for a while ?
My first full face was a “ Paddy Hopkirk Agordo in black for £35 odd quid.
SS427 Camaro said:
I also had an RD200 Electric, an N registered one, one of the best bikes I’ve ever owned, particularly on its “ Dunlop Rain Cheater “ tires !
I really liked mine also. It was just like this. Rectangular tank but still retaining spoked wheels. Later ones had alloys.
It had plently of performance for such a little bike. The combined starter/generator sticking out the left-hand side was the main way to differentiate between the RD125 and RD200. It wasn't there on the 125 which is no big loss as it didn't really work well as either a starter or generator.
NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE MADE ME DO
It would have been Halesowen area.Correct. Award yourself an extra bite of your Festive Gifting Gesture Egg.
Manufacture date 31 Dec 1981. I'm not sure I like that!
Red9zero said:
JoeBolt said:
Red9zero said:
A friend of my Father's bought their old factory.......
Where was this factory?Manufacture date 31 Dec 1981. I'm not sure I like that!
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