Modern Vespa

This is an actual WWII German helmet that belonged to my father taken from a German prisoner. It was in bristol condition and I removed all Nazi markings and had it custom painted Sierra Ivory the color of my Vespa GTV. The helmet is very well made and super comfortable to wear.

I would like to put some Vespa decal and/or badge on the front or side of the helmet. Any suggestions? Thank you

Vespa Chrome Badge Sticker

My choice would be to get a real helmet that helmet is not safe and the shape of it is disgusting to me and many others, Just my opinion.

Hey Larry, we won! Maybe I should sell my BMW too?

I don't mean this to be a negative post, but didn't you just reduce the value greatly by painting it? I'm no collector of war stuff, but I imagine it was worth something... No?

That is subjective and most of all enforcing your opinion on what others wear as helmets.

So are you going to tell me that my fathers 1962 helmet that was given to him by a Philly motor cop wrong or offensive.

Like

There were millions of Stahlhelms made, but prices can range from a few dollars to thousands depending upon type and condition. The main factor is the condition of the decals (if any). By repainting this, all collector value has been removed to be sure, but if the OP is going to enjoy wearing it, you can't put a value on that.

It is what it is and it ain't no more.

I love it. And what a cool piece of History !

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OK, it is a war relic and has been resprayed. Surely its usefulness as a helmet can be discussed without surfacing issues of politics, war and religion.
The original design of the Vespa itself was a response to issues arising from WW2.

Keep it real please.

I think the VESPA decal would prolly look cool. Or the Piaggio logo. Either one.

Put the tri colors on it

You could go black in a Star Wars theme.

You're clear that it won't be very protective?

It doesn't have the impact absorbing foam to protect against brain trauma.

What are those holes in it?

Ventilation holes.

Nice.

sorry and I do not wish to be political and i drive a BMW that I love, and I have had several bmw's as well as mercedes and montblanc pens. That helmet still rubs me the wrong way, but it is not my helmet it is yours so please just ignore my opinion. But I still think a properly fitted and cushioned helmet made for two-wheeling is the safest, be it a full face, 3/4 or 1/2 helmet. But just my opinion for what it is worth. Either way we had great weather today and I had a nice ride to and from work, so I am happy, hope the weather continues.

However, what is real to one person may not be universal. A Nazi helmet on a rider as a moto helmet is a statement. It may or may not say much, but it isn't neutral. I really don't care, but at least I will respect the thoughts of someone who does.

didnt think it would be legal to wear on a road anyway

and if you came off is there a strap to keep it on your head

This reminds me of a project I never got around to...

I wanted to take an ordinary DOT-spec half-helmet and give it the profile of a PASGT Kevlar helmet using foam with a thin fiberglass skin, then put a woodland camouflage cloth cover on it. The foam and cover would tear away in a crash, of course.

The reverse process (taking a mil-spec helmet and transplanting the padding and liner from a motorcycle helmet) wouldn't provide adequate crash protection because the shell wouldn't deform/break properly to dissipate impact energy.

That said, my original idea might be useful in the context of the thread. Use the existing German helmet as a pattern/mold for a lightweight fiberglass shell to go over a DOT-spec 1/2-helmet. The shell needs to be able to collapse or tear away from the underlying helmet on impact so the motorcycle helmet can provide impact/abrasion protection as designed.

The points where the internal leather harness attaches to the helmet. I'd guess there was some sort of internal "hat" that suspended the helmet a short distance from the wearer's head. There'd also have to be attachment points for the chin strap.

get one of these on the front n youre good to go

another idea ...........

Paint flowers on it and use it as a flowerpot.

Well, if you really wanna keep it real.....then

The helmet design was the smartest design then and is still implemented into todays helemet for our troops.

Also, just like people who ride scooters, they are all not bad.

Not all German troops of that era were bad seeds. There were actually some good people who served.

Just like cops, there are good ones and bad ones. Sometimes you have to be careful when painting with a broad brush.

And again, it is not our buisness to tell people what to wear as protection. Period.

Rusrty, you are correct about the holes. Rivrts hold the inner liner in placr. My dad served honorably at the first wave of Normandy. BMW provided engines for the famoud Messerschmidt air fighters. I just like the csr. I was offered $600 in it's original form, but did not want to sell becsuse of its connection to my late father. But, I didnt want yhe Nazi symbolism either. Thus, the makeover to match my GTV. We are not required to wear helmets here. Its very comfortable and still keeps a sentimental to me. I figured if it could stop an American M1, it's safe enough for me. Any link's to some of the decal suggestions?
Thanks for your help. Please know I have NO intention of promoting Mszidm. God bless our military abf God bless America.

Well in the spirit of keeping it real-

Wearing that item isn't going convey the sentiments you've expressed here to the public at large. Rather the opposite.


Perhaps wearing your dad's unit patches with an 'in memory of' will send a clearer message?

If you think this helmet will protect your head at all, you are mistaken. It will do nothing to protect you in an accident where your head hits the ground except prevent road rash where the helmet covers, if it doesn't just come off your head.
My advice would have been don't do anything to it and put on a shelf for display in your house.

Make sure the law in your state doesn't require a DOT helmet if you wear one. Some states do require a DOT approved helmet if you're going to wear one, even if they don't require you to wear one. Maryland still had the DOT required helmet law when they didn't require helmets back in the 80's

Thanks Havey!

Speed holes, they make the helmet go faster

only in states that have a no helmet law. all others require a minimum DOT approved helmet which the op's novelty helmet certainly does not meet.

Well said Sir! All wars are bad but the majority of soldiers on both sides were honorable men doing their duty.

We have I am sure a number of german members on this forum and to suggest that this is a Nazi helmet is just plain wrong. The Wehrmacht should not be derided en masse because of the controlling political structure of the Nazis or equally because of the infamous military unit within the Nazi structure known as the Waffen SS.

You would have plenty of room to pad this one, but then you might have PETA on your ass.

No truer words spoken.

Our troops latest tech helmet has utilized some of the designs from that relic.

Troops in uniform are just that...........no matter what side of the fence you're fightin from.

The origins of the Stahlhelm are in World War One. Long before the rise of National Socialism. In addition to Germany, the Stahlhelm design was also used by the Republic of China (Taiwan), the People's Republic of China, Finland, Spain, Yugoslavia, Portugal, Bolivia and Chile.

People in this country need to "get wit da times yo".

There are yoga and cofffee shops showing up with all sorts of history lessons.

This is an example of a relief that was done recently in the back yard of a coffee shop here on the westside. There are a few coffee/yoga spots that have these flying as decoration.

I'm by no means into yoga. I have a surfer friend who lives in the Mentuwais. These things are ALL OVER the place.

Beautiful

This one is older than bajeebas..............and jesus too

The Kimo Theatre in Albuquerque, NM was opened in 1926. It features what is called "Pueblo Deco" architecture. The proscenium arch has a motif of cow skulls with glowing red eyes and shields with swastikas embossed on them. It is a striking piece of work, but has nothing whatsoever to do with Nazis.