Visor replacement frequency?

[Fiddlesticks]

I only seem to get 12 months / 12,000 miles out of my visor. After a while the pinlock seems to work a little loose and scratch the inside of the visor, so I end up replacing both. Bit pricey at £75.

 

Have bought a polishing kit to attempt to buff out the scratches on the old visor, but early attempts were not great (too much speed/friction caused heat-related marks). Now I have the new one fitted I can try again.

 

Once fitted, I never really touch the pinlock.  Will make a mental note to adjust the oval-shaped cams over time to keep the pinlock tight. Any other thoughts or experiences, or is this just par for the course?

[husoi]

Odd.

Have my Nolan for a long time, had replacement bits for the pinlock inside and never replaced it.

Still fully working. From memory the Nolan for the helmet was about £35

[daveinlim]

I got a new one for my caberg recently after just 2 years. Mostly due to the fact I thought I was ordering a new pinlock not a new visor. 

[keith1200rs]

I usually replace my pinlock every year and the visor every couple of years.  They both get minute scratches which reduces visibility.  I don't use the pinlock in summer when the weather is warm enough.

[bonio]

I know @S-Westerly won't approve but I've starting buying replacements from aliexpress. 15% the cost of manufacturer's and slightly better quality.

[AstronautNinja]

2 hours ago, bonio said:

I know @S-Westerly won't approve but I've starting buying replacements from aliexpress. 15% the cost of manufacturer's and slightly better quality.

Got a link / supplier name to share dude? 

[husoi]

4 minutes ago, AstronautNinja said:

Got a link / supplier name to share dude? 

Create a free account on www.aliexpress.com

Then just search for it.

Example

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EHFgkDb

[RideWithStyles]

Really depends on the visor quality and make after owning many (of visor and helmet style I find).

shoeis are the least ridged preference of flex of the makes/design while hjc are far more solid, Even to a point aftermarket’s from reputable sallers.

even the pins themselves can have a different lifespan depending on the visor and its contour.

 

this means that the pinlock (pin and insert) will get far more wear/vibrations etc than the hjc’s.
But the fit requires regular tuning with the hjc as it has to have the correct tension to hold the best shape/contour to the visor (also depending on the season /temp) where as the soft visor you can set the insert to reasonably tight and it will have more give… so soft fit once and forget while with the harder type you have to reset more often.

 

the different plastics polycarbonate or lexans require different treatments and approach to get the best refresh (or use case) with them.

 

Edited August 16, 2024 by RideWithStyles

[S-Westerly]

I find a get 1 to 2 years out of a visor. My current one is probably due for a replacement as its picked up a mark right in the middle and with winter and night riding its going to be more problematic. Probably won't go the aliexpress route but it would be interesting to do a test to destruction comparison just out of interest.

[RideWithStyles]

I’ve gotten a couple of years out of my shoei visor and insert. Tends to be fine insert scratches even with silicone bead but not too many scratches/chips on the outside to make it noticeable if your near sighted. First time I’ve lost a pin on a ride out was with the shoei it was when a tinted visor didn’t have the insert in, made it noisey.

 

while I’d get a little longer out of the arai and hjcs Before them, but the outside is often battered with scratches and chips like  it’s been shotgunned. That effect or build up makes Winter and night time riding more difficult.

[ColinWB]

This is an interesting topic for a newbie. I bought an HJC helmet, my first ever helmet, and was surprised that it came with a pinlock already fitted because I had the impression they were sold separately. I got it for the list price of the HJC helmet. The instructor on my CBT commented that the pinlock was already fitted as if he was surprised it came with the basic helmet. Absolutely no problems with it, maybe I struck lucky?

 

Edited for spelling mistooks 

Edited August 17, 2024 by ColinWB

[AstronautNinja]

15 minutes ago, ColinWB said:

This is an interesting topic for a newbie. I bought an HJC helmet, my first ever helmet, and was surprised that it came with a pinlock already fitted because I had the impression they were sold separately. I got it for the list price of the HJC helmet. The instructor on my CBT commented that the pinlock was already fitted as if he was surprised it came with the basic helmet. Absolutely no problems with it, maybe I struck lucky?

 

Edited for spelling mistooks 

Mye nuu HJC came with a free pinlock IIRC. Very chuffed with the helmet tbh, also my first. Banging lid IMO 

[S-Westerly]

The last 3 helmets I've owned have all had  Pinlocks fitted as standard. 2 Schuberth and 1 Shoei. 

[bonio]

iirc, all the hjc and shoei helmets I've bought came with a pinlock in the box. 

[peepae]

I hate fitting the pinlocks - next helmet I buy needs to have it pre-fitted.

[daveinlim]

14 hours ago, peepae said:

I hate fitting the pinlocks - next helmet I buy needs to have it pre-fitted.

 

I keep trying to fit mine and it's never right. It seems ok but then mist gathers in lower centre of it all the time. I changed the pinlock and still happens 

[JRH]

There is a definite knack. I flatten the visor as much as possible, clip in the pin lock and then flatten it to match the visor shape. Adjust the pinlock clips if necessary, ensure the pinlock bead it touching the visor. Let go and then fit visor to helmet. Can take and age to get it right.

[peepae]

Just now, JRH said:

There is a definite knack. I flatten the visor as much as possible, clip in the pin lock and then flatten it to match the visor shape. Adjust the pinlock clips if necessary, ensure the pinlock bead it touching the visor. Let go and then fit visor to helmet. Can take and age to get it right.

I try to move these fekkin pins but they don't move AT ALL - I've tried pliers, screwdrivers everything... maybe I'm a pleb

[JRH]

They can be stiff, but should move.

[RideWithStyles]

2 hours ago, daveinlim said:

 

I keep trying to fit mine and it's never right. It seems ok but then mist gathers in lower centre of it all the time. I changed the pinlock and still happens 

Its the placement of the pins as they are an eccentric cam lobe as to speak. So you’ve probably got the lobes high point outwards towards the visors fitting so it’s loose, idea is like double glazing, to seal it all the way around no air gets inbetween and it’s insulated while the plastic absorbs and distribution of moisture.

 

rather than inwards towards the centre so it’s pushes the insert inwards to the centre (sharper radius) and against the inner skin of the visor itself.

Do it while the visor is out, slowly breathe hot air onto the edges or some will raise it above a hot cup of water to see if its set correctly, if correct try again while the visor is mounted to the helmet , because could make the visor radius more or less depending on the the helmet size and it’s fitting when mounted.

Edited August 19, 2024 by RideWithStyles