We Finally Have Clearance Helmets

The boss finally got out of his chair and walked into the warehouse.  Let me tell you, it was not a pretty sight.     Mr. Boss wanted to know why we still have horrible sizes of motorcycle helmets that we stopped carrying over two years ago.

Our loss is your gain.  The boss says "clear them out" so I put them on the website for $9.98.  I know, most companies would do $9.99, but I want you to have a deal.

Feel free to purchase one of these crappy sizes that have been sitting around our warehouse forever.

Silver Maltese Cross Motorcycle Helmet

Black Iron Cross Motorcycle Helmet

Blue Tribal Flame Motorcycle Helmet

Silver Iron Cross Motorcycle Helmet

Red Tribal Flame Motorcycle Helmet

Double Eagle Motorcycle Helmet

Let's put it to a vote!

We received a e-mail today from LincolnHRS606@aol.com. The e-mail says, 

"Hey guys,

The shirt that says:  "Honk if you have never seen a loaded gun fired from a moving Harley" "Loaded" is really not needed and actually makes that statement sound a bit stupid. 

Could the gun be UNLOADED and fired?"

We think that LincolnHRS606@aol.com has a point, but we want to put it to a vote, let us know what you think.  Should we keep it the way it is or change it?  

Our New "Hair" Motorcycle Helmet

Sometimes our boss comes around and talks about new motorcycle helmets.  He will say something like, "Just wait until you see this cool new motorcycle helmet, you have never seen anything like it!"

Then, for months or years we hear nothing else about it, crickets I tell you.  But, to our surprise he actually followed through on this new ladies motorcycle helmet.  

This sample just came in and we should have this cool motorcycle helmet in about thirty days.  

I asked the boss if he designed it and he just laughed, it seems like the Chinese finally designed "or stole" something on their own.  

Ladies, please reserve one now if you so desire. 

Brian Don't Care!

We received another call  and order today from Brian.  Brian is a skydiver and he wears our Green Skydiving Helmet Mohawk.

You might of known it as a Green Motorcycle Helmet Mohawk, but Brian is like the Honey Badger, Brian Don't Care!

Real Divas Ride

We forgot about the Real Divas Ride Blog.  It is a pretty good blog.  They did a blog post on our Silver Lady Rider EX Motorcycle Helmet in 2006.  I just found the post here:  http://realdivasride.com/wp/?p=93

We are amazed that we have been selling that helmet since 2006.  That is much longer then we thought we had that motorcycle helmet.

We did some simple math and Apple stock (AAPL) just so happened to be at $67.00 the day that WebDiva posted this review of our motorcycle helmet.  You would have $450 now minus some commissions if you would have bought Apple instead of out Silver Lady Motorcycle Helmet.

On the same token, you could also be dead if you got in a wreck not wearing our motorcycle helmet.  Just something to think about.

Iron Horse Helmets Employee Training Manual

This might come as a surprise to you, But Iron Horse Helmets is not a fortune 500 Company.  I know, Right.

But still, our boss thinks we need to do employee training.  How hard is this job? Not very!
You pull a helmet, you put it in a box.
You pull a mohawk, you put it in a box.
You answer a phone and say "Thanks for calling Iron Horse Helmets."
Jobs don't get much easier than this job.

We pulled this question from the employee training manual of a real Fortune 100 Company.  This Company is worth about $38 Billion in market cap.  How are they worth $38,000,000,000 (38 with 9 zeros) when they ask stupid questions like this?  Everyone knows that the answer is C.

Carol Wright Really Likes Us!

We would like to share the complement we received from out new favorite customer:

Very pleased with the service we received !! Quick, accurate, and loved the emails to show details of order  each step of the process...THANK YOU !  You are the exception to most online services!  We will continue to order with your company!

Why is there a stapler in this picture?

Why is there a stapler in this picture?

Scale

How else should we show the size of these dog motorcycle helmets?

You might ask, "Iron Horse Helmets sells dog helmets? Does Iron Horse Helmets sell horse helmets."

No, but please don't give our boss any ideas.

Non Iron Horse Customer

So these are the people giving us negative reviews. This correspondence below is not even one of our customers.... like we are the only company in the world that sells Mohawks. I might have told her it was not ours, but she needs to learn how to use apostrophes.  Just so you know, we sent her a mohawk anyway...Even though she did not order from us.  She deserved it after the torture we put her through!

Non Iron Horse Customer: I would just like to say that I ordered a mohawk and was not impressed when it came and didnt have suction cups. I did not have time to
return it because we needed it for a race but it attached by Velcro not suction cup. Thanks, ---

Iron Horse Customer Service: Please tell me your order number and I will check into it.
Non Iron Horse Customer: Order # 100014602 (THIS IS NOT ONE OF OUR ORDER NUMBERS)

Iron Horse Customer Service: Thanks, I will have the warehouse look into it and e-mail you.

Non Iron Horse Customer: Any word on the mohawk yet?

Iron Horse Customer Service: Yes, we checked into it. You said you did not have time to return it so I did not know what you wanted to do.

Non Iron Horse Customer: What do I want you to do do about it? Really? Make it right. Obviously you sent the wrong thing and you dont plan on fixing the situation? That is the worst customer service ever. We get asked by several people at races where we go his mohawk, and if you do NOT fix it, I would not hesitate to never recommend your company. If anything send me the product I ordered. geez...I am not impressed with your company.

Iron Horse Customer Service: Sure, I can send you a return label to send the other one back and exchange it. I was just confused because you said you did not have the time to exchange it.

Non Iron Horse Customer: And even though it has been used you will accept it

Iron Horse Customer Service: You used it and you did not plan on keeping it?

Non Iron Horse Customer: Yes, I used it. I needed it for a race. You apparently are not understanding me. You are treating me like I am stupid and this is your mistake. Nevermind making it right. I will keep the wrong item and just let everyone I know that your customer service sucks and you wont fix the mistakes you make. I hope your website has a review section. I have had it. You do not stand by something you screwed up. You have to be kidding me. This is so unprofessional. If my company did not stand behind what they did we would be out of business. Ugh.
I want you to either send the correct product or refund my money. Preferably send the correct product. If you cant help me with that then I do not want you to do anything.
Iron Horse Customer Service: You want us to send you another one and you want to keep the one you have?

Iron Horse Customer Service: I don't understand why you are accusing me of being rude. What have I said that was rude?

Non Iron Horse Customer: I am done. Dont do anything to help. You are unprofessional and your tone sucks. I do not wish to recieve any future e mails. You are making it nearly impossible to get the product I ordered and you have talked down to me several times. I will be sure to let everyone I know how you run your company. Thank you for nothing

What Makes a Motorcycle Helmet DOT? Get Ready to Yawn

Are you having trouble sleeping tonight?  Just start reading this and I promise you will be asleep in 4 minutes.

Below is the DOT Testing requirements.
§571.218Standard No. 218; Motorcycle helmets.S1. Scope. This standard establishes minimum performance requirements for helmets designed for use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users.S2. Purpose. The purpose of this standard is to reduce deaths and injuries to motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users resulting from head impacts.S3. Application. This standard applies to all helmets designed for use by motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users.S4. Definitions.Basic plane means a plane through the centers of the right and left external ear openings and the lower edge of the eye sockets (Figure 1) of a reference headform (Figure 2) or test headform.Helmet positioning index means the distance in inches, as specified by the manufacturer, from the lowest point of the brow opening at the lateral midpoint of the helmet to the basic plane of a reference headform, when the helmet is firmly and properly positioned on the reference headform.Midsagittal plane means a longitudinal plane through the apex of a reference headform or test headform that is perpendicular to the basic plane (Figure 3).Reference headform means a measuring device contoured to the dimensions of one of the three headforms described in Table 2 and Figures 5 through 8 with surface markings indicating the locations of the basic, mid-sagittal, and reference planes, and the centers of the external ear openings.Reference plane means a plane above and parallel to the basic plane on a reference headform or test headform (Figure 2) at the distance indicated in Table 2.Retention system means the complete assembly by which the helmet is retained in position on the head during use.Test headform means a test device contoured to the dimensions of one of the three headforms described in Table 2 and Figures 5 through 8 with surface markings indicating the locations of the basic, mid-sagittal, and reference planes.S5. Requirements. Each helmet shall meet the requirements of S5.1, S5.2, and S5.3 when subjected to any conditioning procedure specified in S6.4, and tested in accordance with S7.1, S7.2, and S7.3.S5.1 Impact attenuation. When an impact attenuation test is conducted in accordance with S7.1, all of the following requirements shall be met:(a) Peak accelerations shall not exceed 400g;(b) Accelerations in excess of 200g shall not exceed a cumulative duration of 2.0 milliseconds; and(c) Accelerations in excess of 150g shall not exceed a cumulative duration of 4.0 milliseconds.S5.2 Penetration. When a penetration test is conducted in accordance with S7.2, the striker shall not contact the surface of the test headform.S5.3 Retention system.S5.3.1 When tested in accordance with S7.3:(a) The retention system or its components shall attain the loads specified without separation; and(b) The adjustable portion of the retention system test device shall not move more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) measured between preliminary and test load positions.S5.3.2 Where the retention system consists of components which can be independently fastened without securing the complete assembly, each such component shall independently meet the requirements of S5.3.1.S5.4 Configuration. Each helmet shall have a protective surface of continuous contour at all points on or above the test line described in S6.2.3. The helmet shall provide peripheral vision clearance of at least 105° to each side of the mid-sagittal plane, when the helmet is adjusted as specified in S6.3. The vertex of these angles, shown in Figure 3, shall be at the point on the anterior surface of the reference headform at the intersection of the mid-sagittal and basic planes. The brow opening of the helmet shall be at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) above all points in the basic plane that are within the angles of peripheral vision (see Figure 3).S5.5 Projections. A helmet shall not have any rigid projections inside its shell. Rigid projections outside any helmet's shell shall be limited to those required for operation of essential accessories, and shall not protrude more than 0.20 inch (5 mm).S5.6 Labeling.S5.6.1 Each helmet shall be labeled permanently and legibly, in a manner such that the label(s) can be read easily without removing padding or any other permanent part, with the following:(a) Manufacturer's name or identification.(b) Precise model designation.(c) Size.(d) Month and year of manufacture. This may be spelled out (for example, June 1988), or expressed in numerals (for example, 6/88).(e) The symbol DOT, constituting the manufacturer's certification that the helmet conforms to the applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. This symbol shall appear on the outer surface, in a color that contrasts with the background, in letters at least3/8inch (1 cm) high, centered laterally with the horizontal centerline of the symbol located a minimum of 11/8inches (2.9 cm) and a maximum of 13/8inches (3.5 cm) from the bottom edge of the posterior portion of the helmet.(f) Instructions to the purchaser as follows:(1) “Shell and liner constructed of (identify type(s) of materials).(2) “Helmet can be seriously damaged by some common substances without damage being visible to the user. Apply only the following: (Recommended cleaning agents, paints, adhesives, etc., as appropriate).(3) “Make no modifications. Fasten helmet securely. If helmet experiences a severe blow, return it to the manufacturer for inspection, or destroy it and replace it.”(4) Any additional relevant safety information should be applied at the time of purchase by means of an attached tag, brochure, or other suitable means.S5.7 Helmet positioning index. Each manufacturer of helmets shall establish a positioning index for each helmet he manufactures. This index shall be furnished immediately to any person who requests the information, with respect to a helmet identified by manufacturer, model designation, and size.S6. Preliminary test procedures. Before subjecting a helmet to the testing sequence specified in S7., prepare it according to the procedures in S6.1, S6.2, and S6.3.S6.1 Selection of appropriate headform.S6.1.1 A helmet with a manufacturer's designated discrete size or size range which does not exceed 63/4(European size: 54) is tested on the small headform. A helmet with a manufacturer's designated discrete size or size range which exceeds 63/4, but does not exceed 71/2(European size: 60) is tested on the medium headform. A helmet with a manufacturer's designated discrete size or size range which exceeds 71/2is tested on the large headform.S6.1.2 A helmet with a manufacturer's designated size range which includes sizes falling into two or all three size ranges described in S6.1.1 is tested on each headform specified for each size range.S6.2 Reference marking.S6.2.1 Use a reference headform that is firmly seated with the basic and reference planes horizontal. Place the complete helmet to be tested on the appropriate reference headform, as specified in S6.1.1 and S6.1.2.S6.2.2 Apply a 10-pound (4.5 kg) static vertical load through the helmet's apex. Center the helmet laterally and seat it firmly on the reference headform according to its helmet positioning index.S6.2.3 Maintaining the load and position described in S6.2.2, draw a line (hereinafter referred to as “test line”) on the outer surface of the helmet coinciding with portions of the intersection of that service with the following planes, as shown in Figure 2:(a) A plane 1 inch (2.5 cm) above and parallel to the reference plane in the anterior portion of the reference headform;(b) A vertical transverse plane 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) behind the point on the anterior surface of the reference headform at the intersection of the mid-sagittal and reference planes;(c) The reference plane of the reference headform;(d) A vertical transverse plane 2.5 inches (6.4. cm) behind the center of the external ear opening in a side view; and(e) A plane 1 inch (2.5 cm) below and parallel to the reference plane in the posterior portion of the reference headform.S6.3 Helmet positioning.S6.3.1 Before each test, fix the helmet on a test headform in the position that conforms to its helmet positioning index. Secure the helmet so that it does not shift position before impact or before application of force during testing.S6.3.2 In testing as specified in S7.1 and S7.2, place the retention system in a position such that it does not interfere with free fall, impact or penetration.S6.4 Conditioning.S6.4.1 Immediately before conducting the testing sequence specified in S7, condition each test helmet in accordance with any one of the following procedures:(a) Ambient conditions. Expose to a temperature of 70 °F(21 °C) and a relative humidity of 50 percent for 12 hours.(b) Low temperature. Expose to a temperature of 14 °F(-10 °C) for 12 hours.(c) High temperature. Expose to a temperature of 122 °F(50 °C) for 12 hours.(d) Water immersion. Immerse in water at a temperature of 77 °F(25 °C) for 12 hours.S6.4.2 If during testing, as specified in S7.1.3 and S7.2.3, a helmet is returned to the conditioning environment before the time out of that environment exceeds 4 minutes, the helmet is kept in the environment for a minimum of 3 minutes before resumption of testing with that helmet. If the time out of the environment exceeds 4 minutes, the helmet is returned to the environment for a minimum of 3 minutes for each minute or portion of a minute that the helmet remained out of the environment in excess of 4 minutes or for a maximum of 12 hours, whichever is less, before the resumption of testing with that helmet.S7. Test conditions.S7.1 Impact attenuation test.S7.1.1 Impact attenuation is measured by determining acceleration imparted to an instrumented test headform on which a complete helmet is mounted as specified in S6.3, when it is dropped in guided free fall upon a fixed hemispherical anvil and a fixed flat steel anvil.S7.1.2 Each helmet is impacted at four sites with two successive identical impacts at each site. Two of these sites are impacted upon a flat steel anvil and two upon a hemispherical steel anvil as specified in S7.1.10 and S7.1.11. The impact sites are at any point on the area above the test line described in paragraph S6.2.3, and separated by a distance not less than one-sixth of the maximum circumference of the helmet in the test area.S7.1.3 Impact testing at each of the four sites, as specified in S7.1.2, shall start at two minutes, and be completed by four minutes, after removal of the helmet from the conditioning environment.S7.1.4 (a) The guided free fall drop height for the helmet and test headform combination onto the hemispherical anvil shall be such that the minimum impact speed is 17.1 feet/second (5.2 m/sec). The minimum drop height is 54.5 inches (138.4 cm). The drop height is adjusted upward from the minimum to the extent necessary to compensate for friction losses.(b) The guided free fall drop height for the helmet and test headform combination onto the flat anvil shall be such that the minimum impact speed is 19.7 ft./sec (6.0 m/sec). The minimum drop height is 72 inches (182.9 cm). The drop height is adjusted upward from the minimum to the extent necessary to compensate for friction losses.S7.1.5 Test headforms for impact attenuation testing are constructed of magnesium alloy (K–1A), and exhibit no resonant frequencies below 2,000 Hz.S7.1.6 The monorail drop test system is used for impact attenuation testing.S7.1.7 The weight of the drop assembly, as specified in Table 1, is the combined weight of the test headform and the supporting assembly for the drop test. The weight of the supporting assembly is not less than 2.0 lbs. and not more than 2.4 lbs. (0.9 to 1.1 kg). The supporting assembly weight for the monorail system is the drop assembly weight minus the combined weight of the test headform, the headform's clamp down ring, and its tie down screws.S7.1.8 The center of gravity of the test headform is located at the center of the mounting ball on the supporting assembly and lies within a cone with its axis vertical and forming a 10° included angle with the vertex at the point of impact. The center of gravity of the drop assembly lies within the rectangular volume bounded by x = -0.25 inch (-0.64 cm), x = 0.85 inch (2.16 cm), y = 0.25 inch (0.64 cm), and y = -0.25 inch (-0.64 cm) with the origin located at the center of gravity of the test headform. The rectangular volume has no boundary along the z-axis. The x-y-z axes are mutually perpendicular and have positive or negative designations in accordance with the right-hand rule (See Figure 5). The origin of the coordinate axes also is located at the center of the mounting ball on the supporting assembly (See Figures 6, 7, and 8). The x-y-z axes of the test headform assembly on a monorail drop test equipment are oriented as follows: From the origin, the x-axis is horizontal with its positive direction going toward and passing through the vertical centerline of the monorail. The positive z-axis is downward. The y-axis also is horizontal and its direction can be decided by the z- and x-axes, using the right-hand rule.S7.1.9 The acceleration transducer is mounted at the center of gravity of the test headform with the sensitive axis aligned to within 5° of vertical when the test headform assembly is in the impact position. The acceleration data channel complies with SAE Recommended Practice J211 (1980) (incorporated by reference, see §571.5) requirements for channel class 1,000.S7.1.10 The flat anvil is constructed of steel with a 5-inch (12.7 cm) minimum diameter impact face, and the hemispherical anvil is constructed of steel with a 1.9 inch (4.8 cm) radius impact face.S7.1.11 The rigid mount for both of the anvils consists of a solid mass of at least 300 pounds (136.1 kg), the outer surface of which consists of a steel plate with minimum thickness of 1 inch (2.5 cm) and minimum surface area of 1 ft2 (929 cm2 ).S7.1.12 The drop system restricts side movement during the impact attenuation test so that the sum of the areas bounded by the acceleration-time response curves for both the x- and y-axes (horizontal axes) is less than five percent of the area bounded by the acceleration-time response curve for the vertical axis.S7.2 Penetration test.S7.2.1 The penetration test is conducted by dropping the penetration test striker in guided free fall, with its axis aligned vertically, onto the outer surface of the complete helmet, when mounted as specified in S6.3, at any point above the test line, described in S6.2.3, except on a fastener or other rigid projection.S7.2.2 Two penetration blows are applied at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) apart, and at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) from the centers of any impacts applied during the impact attenuation test.S7.2.3 The application of the two penetration blows, specified in S7.2.2, starts at two minutes and is completed by four minutes, after removal of the helmet from the conditioning environment.S7.2.4 The height of the guided free fall is 118.1 inches (3 m), as measured from the striker point to the impact point on the outer surface of the test helmet.S7.2.5 The contactable surface of the penetration test headform is constructed of a metal or metallic alloy having a Brinell hardness number no greater than 55, which will permit ready detection should contact by the striker occur. The surface is refinished if necessary before each penetration test blow to permit detection of contact by the striker.S7.2.6 The weight of the penetration striker is 6 pounds, 10 ounces (3 kg).S7.2.7 The point of the striker has an included angle of 60°, a cone height of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), a tip radius of 0.02 inch (standard 0.5 millimeter radius) and a minimum hardness of 60 Rockwell, C-scale.S7.2.8 The rigid mount for the penetration test headform is as described in S7.1.11.S7.3 Retention system test.S7.3.1 The retention system test is conducted by applying a static tensile load to the retention assembly of a complete helmet, which is mounted, as described in S6.3, on a stationary test headform as shown in Figure 4, and by measuring the movement of the adjustable portion of the retention system test device under tension.S7.3.2 The retention system test device consists of both an adjustable loading mechanism by which a static tensile load is applied to the helmet retention assembly and a means for holding the test headform and helmet stationary. The retention assembly is fastened around two freely moving rollers, both of which have a 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) diameter and a 3-inch (7.6 cm) center-to-center separation, and which are mounted on the adjustable portion of the tensile loading device (Figure 4). The helmet is fixed on the test headform as necessary to ensure that it does not move during the application of the test loads to the retention assembly.S7.3.3 A 50–pound (22.7 kg) preliminary test load is applied to the retention assembly, normal to the basic plane of the test headform and symmetrical with respect to the center of the retention assembly for 30 seconds, and the maximum distance from the extremity of the adjustable portion of the retention system test device to the apex of the helmet is measured.S7.3.4 An additional 250–pound (113.4 kg) test load is applied to the retention assembly, in the same manner and at the same location as described in S7.3.3, for 120 seconds, and the maximum distance from the extremity of the adjustable portion of the retention system test device to the apex of the helmet is measured.Appendix to §571.218Table 1—Weights for Impact Attenuation Test Drop Assembly

Test headform size	Weight1—1b(kg)
Small	7.8 (3.5 kg).
Medium	11.0 (5.0 kg).
Large	13.4 (6.1 kg).

1Combined weight of instrumented test headform and supporting assembly for drop test.[38 FR 22391, Aug. 20, 1973, as amended at 39 FR 3554, Jan. 28, 1974; 45 FR 15181, Mar. 10, 1980; 53 FR 11288, Apr. 6, 1988; 53 FR 12529, Apr. 15, 1988; 77 FR 768, Jan. 6, 2012]

So you want to be a Bad Ass Biker!

Some people are best left alone.

How do you know the guy on the left is a Bad Ass?  Easy, he is wearing out Classic Gloss Novelty Motorcycle Helmet.

You might of thought that it was the long hair, thousand mile stare or the motorcycle...But it the Iron Horse Helmet he is wearing. 

Oh, you also want to be this bad?  $30 sucker!

You know, your children really would like you to get them a motorcycle helmet.

Easter's coming, and that means it's time to prepare a basket of goodies for your kids. Well, before you head to the store and snag all the chocolate eggs and jelly beans, we've got a little basket-stuffer we think you should consider:

A Spiked German Novelty Motorcycle Helmet 

Put one of these helmets on your child's head, and watch as excitement fills their eyes. Playtime has never been so productive, as your kids laugh and smile, dancing around the house with their new helmet on. With their precious helmet on, your kid can explore the many exhilarating options of playing, taking their playtime adventure to the dining room, the bedrooms, and even the stairs!

And it doesn't stop there! With the Spiked German Novelty Motorcycle Helmet, your kids will be able to use the metal spike to hold marsh mellow bunnies. It won't be long before your children are wondering why they'd been wasting so much time dreaming about egg hunts and marshmallow bunnies when they could have instead dreamt about how they'd soon be entrenched in the joy of danger.

We know that toy companies and candy companies will tell you that their products are more "fun" and that your child "will actually enjoy using them." But that doesn't get them respect, does it? So do the right thing and get your children A Spiked German Novelty Motorcycle Helmet, making this Easter a holiday the whole family will love!

Get to know our Staff

Thanks for calling Iron Horse Helmets.  Oh, you did not call us.  Well, please view the images just in case you ever do.  This is our staff.  Yes, we count a dog as our staff.  You will get any one of these lovely people on the phone when you call us.

Want advice on a motorcycle helmet, one of use might know about it.
Got fleas, one of us might know about it.
Want to bitch about your ex, one of us might listen.

We are going to post interviews in the future with all these staff members above.  We might even un-mask some of them.

Have You Ever Heard of New Caledonia?

We send motorcycle helmets all over the world.  We send helmets to Canada, England and Australia everyday......But not New Caledonia.

In fact, we had never heard of New Caledonia before today.  Boy, we are missing out on the world.  We went to Google images and New Caledonia is like paradise.  Why are we in Birmingham Alabama?  Take me out coach, I am ready to move.

We have done a few comparison pictures below so the layman can compare New Caledonia to Birmingham, AL.

New Caledonia Images:

Birmingham, AL Images:

This Blog Post was not brought to you by the Birmingham tourism office.

New Motorcycle Helmet Stickers

Some of our new 2013 Motorcycle Helmet Stickers will be here next week.  Please check out the images.

Please do not read them if you are a cry baby who is easily offended.