"German" helmets
#32
06-03-2007 | 10:55 PM
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Munford, TN
RE: "German" helmets
ORIGINAL: whaap
Is the spike chromed plastic that would snap off if in a collision or is it a metal spike that would get punched into your head?
ORIGINAL: hambone
I ride with my german helmet with a chrome spike in the top of it quite often, and really don't care who likes it or not.
As for the swastika, I also have a native american tat with that original symbol on it as well. The symbol can be traced back to over 9000 years ago found on sand scrit (sp?) found in India, and has been found in one form or another in almost all of the worlds ancient societies.
I ride with my german helmet with a chrome spike in the top of it quite often, and really don't care who likes it or not.
As for the swastika, I also have a native american tat with that original symbol on it as well. The symbol can be traced back to over 9000 years ago found on sand scrit (sp?) found in India, and has been found in one form or another in almost all of the worlds ancient societies.
#33
06-03-2007 | 11:00 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,066
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: "German" helmets
ORIGINAL: ZD
The WWII vets/riders I knew and rode with were disgusted with the use of German artifacts by bikersduring the 1960s. One of the old boys used to call 'em "Hollywood Hippie Bikers".
**** helmets,Maltese crosses &other goodiestaken from German prisoners and casulties during the war were fair game to wear in certain situations where the public wasn't involved, but no WWII vet I knew of ever wore a swastika under any circumstance.In fact, I saw some real heated 'discussions' between the older (1st generation)of bikers and the new generation from the 50s & 60s when I was a youngster taggin' along all wide-eyed & stupid.
A similar phenomenon happened with NVC artifactsduringViet Namto a much lesser degree, but never grew legs...The ****'look' was alreadywellestablished as a standard for most of theoutlawclubs, andthe new breed of outlaw bikers & clubs that came into existence duringViet Namhad little or no regard for the older traditions and values if they even understood them.
ORIGINAL: pococj
At least oneof the BIG CLUBS, with chapters in Germany, no longer allows members to sport swastikas as a general rule. It's said to be in deference to their German brothers, as a swastika displayed in Germany will get you busted.
The German helmet thing was mostly to shock the citizens. Now it's mostly a friggin' fashion statement. Whoop-de-do!
At least oneof the BIG CLUBS, with chapters in Germany, no longer allows members to sport swastikas as a general rule. It's said to be in deference to their German brothers, as a swastika displayed in Germany will get you busted.
The German helmet thing was mostly to shock the citizens. Now it's mostly a friggin' fashion statement. Whoop-de-do!
**** helmets,Maltese crosses &other goodiestaken from German prisoners and casulties during the war were fair game to wear in certain situations where the public wasn't involved, but no WWII vet I knew of ever wore a swastika under any circumstance.In fact, I saw some real heated 'discussions' between the older (1st generation)of bikers and the new generation from the 50s & 60s when I was a youngster taggin' along all wide-eyed & stupid.
A similar phenomenon happened with NVC artifactsduringViet Namto a much lesser degree, but never grew legs...The ****'look' was alreadywellestablished as a standard for most of theoutlawclubs, andthe new breed of outlaw bikers & clubs that came into existence duringViet Namhad little or no regard for the older traditions and values if they even understood them.
An example would be the word tins. To me it will always be the metal shrouding around the triple trees and upper fork area on thePans andHeritage-type Sloptails. You young studly-do-rights, and even ol' farts new to riding,mean the sheet metal. You're wrong, and I'll never think of it your way, but that's just 'cause I'm one of those ol' farts.
I don't think anything about riding a bike w/nofront fender, or with only one throttle cable, and an internal one at that. I have no desire to have FI, and don't even really care about the electronic ignition.I hate hand clutches & foot shifts. All of it means nothing other than it is sort of a generational difference. And sometimes the generation isn't age dependent, but how-long-have-you-been-riding dependent.
I get a kick outta seeing guys take a Heritage or DeluxeSloptail, which are built to represent certain "eras" from times past, and cover 'em up with chrome jingle-bell stuff that completely obliterates the reason behind the bike to begin with. Such is life, and as long as that's what they want to do, that's fine - their bike, after all.
Back to the German helmets - the initial post had someone who thought it was a neo-**** thing. A new generation sees things with different eyes.
#35
06-03-2007 | 11:15 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From:
RE: "German" helmets
Too many American and Allies served and died in WW II , for me to wear a German helmet. My father was WWII vet, his cousin was killed in WWII and my great uncle was killed in France in WW I............. Not a hard decision for me.
#36
06-03-2007 | 11:43 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,958
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From: West Tennessee
RE: "German" helmets
ORIGINAL: ZD
The swastika has been around for 3000+ years in many cultures, andrepresented the cycle of life and good fortune. When Germany unified in the late 1800s, (1875if I remember history correctly) they began to adopt the symbol for their own use. Hitler's **** party snagged it for their national emblem in the 1920s, and we all know what happened after that.
The swastika was a common designonpre-war artifacts from the early 20th centurybefore the ***** corrupted it. Something to keep your eye out for if you're an antique junkie... Not everything that bears the swastika is **** related.
The swastika has been around for 3000+ years in many cultures, andrepresented the cycle of life and good fortune. When Germany unified in the late 1800s, (1875if I remember history correctly) they began to adopt the symbol for their own use. Hitler's **** party snagged it for their national emblem in the 1920s, and we all know what happened after that.
The swastika was a common designonpre-war artifacts from the early 20th centurybefore the ***** corrupted it. Something to keep your eye out for if you're an antique junkie... Not everything that bears the swastika is **** related.
#38
06-03-2007 | 11:53 PM
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 857
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From:
RE: "German" helmets
I think the German helmet is supposed to look silly and stupid in a cool kinda way.
Origionally they werent DOT approved( I think a few companies are staring to make DOT approved Geman Helmets)
They are called "novelty helmets"
They are supposed to make a statement.
FACK HELMET LAWS
Helmet laws SUCK
Ya, I got one for riding in helmet law sates.
Origionally they werent DOT approved( I think a few companies are staring to make DOT approved Geman Helmets)
They are called "novelty helmets"
They are supposed to make a statement.
FACK HELMET LAWS
Helmet laws SUCK
Ya, I got one for riding in helmet law sates.
#39
06-04-2007 | 12:53 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 5
From: Oregon
RE: "German" helmets
Hitler didn't bastardize it the media did and Jews did.. and still do
besides if the Swazi is in a red white and black background.. then you know its **** related.
here is a good link for meanings...
http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/ctg/swas.htm
It is used in Tibetan symbols as well
and American Indian !!
I don't wear a German style helmet but I have tried one of the ACC novelties on.. eh ain't for me.
I seen them with the pointy spike on top too.. like WWI helmets
besides if the Swazi is in a red white and black background.. then you know its **** related.
here is a good link for meanings...
http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/ctg/swas.htm
It is used in Tibetan symbols as well
and American Indian !!I don't wear a German style helmet but I have tried one of the ACC novelties on.. eh ain't for me.
I seen them with the pointy spike on top too.. like WWI helmets
#40
06-04-2007 | 01:00 AM
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,045
Likes: 125
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
RE: "German" helmets
I go from finding German Helmets offensive to really not giving a **** functionally they offer more coverage thanthe traditional half helmet I own,but you won't see me wearing one.
The swastika ? No matter how much rationalization there is about it's history,I think it sucks bigtime,but it's a free country,people are going to do what they want.
The swastika ? No matter how much rationalization there is about it's history,I think it sucks bigtime,but it's a free country,people are going to do what they want.