Bicycle-tube helmet bands

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askhati
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Location: South Africa

Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by askhati »

Can anyone give a quick explanation of what you do with the inner tube to get it on the helmet in the regular 'band' form? I've been playing around with a piece of old tubing, and am having no luck (which led to subsequent feelings of extreme blondness). Also cannot find any other references on the forum, unless I totally botched the search functionality.
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Konzert-Meister

Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by Konzert-Meister »

Hey,

You cut an inch or two accross the tube, forming a band. So two 'slices' leaving you with a rather wide but small rubber band. It take quite alot to force it over a large stahlhelm (like the avarage 59). They do snap, espes if they are cut thin or have small 'jagged' cuts. You see them in black and a tan/brown colour of the old tubes. You should be able to get a large number from one tube.

Cheers,
Nathan
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koobleguy
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by koobleguy »

Hi,

don't think they used bicycle tubes, rather motorcycle or standard cars,
much easier that way & you have to be able to fix foliage to it,
much to tight with a bicycle tube imho
regards, koobleguy

always looking for parts, pictures etc for VW Kübelwagen type 82 Schwimmwagen type 166 BMW R75
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askhati
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by askhati »

I'm also thinking bicycle tubes might have been a bit small, am having no luck with mine. Can't get it larger than the circumference of a coffee mug, which is far smaller than the Stahlhelm shell!
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pepperpot
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by pepperpot »

Pop down to your tyre replacement stockist and ask the for old inner tubes, did that for the now defunc FJR6 by andy clarke in 2003, got about 10 different sizes for nought. These we cut across the diameter therefore didnt need to be sown/ glued.
graham
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askhati
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by askhati »

Last time I checked, most cars here in SA don't use inner tubes any longer, but I'll have a look-see tomorrow. Tried heating the bicycle cut-outs in water before stretching them, but no effect.
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GraemeMac
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by GraemeMac »

If you're going to use bike tyre tubes you need to cut them into long strips, and glue them. I had to see mine too, glue doesn't always hold well.
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askhati
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by askhati »

I'd prefer a one-piece, continuous band - less chance of it coming apart in the field when you are busy prepping it with foliage.
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Pz Gren Hoffmann
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by Pz Gren Hoffmann »

Inner tubes hasn't been used for car tyres in decades. But they are still used with various tyres, so you can get a hold of them.
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Pug42
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by Pug42 »

My local tyre place had a bin full of large size inner tubes from various commercial vehicles, as lorries etc still use them. I picked up a few sizes for nowt (I get my own tyres there anyway) and with a bit of experimentation found the right size... so now everybody in our unit has a rubber band in their kit!
David

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Mooyman
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by Mooyman »

you can use also an inner tube from a wheelbarrow.
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The best repro is an original...
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askhati
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by askhati »

Thanks all, will have a look and report back.
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les hearn
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by les hearn »

please be aware that tubes can pull off the decals after a while..when u take the tube off the helmet

i destroyed one of my decals this way :x
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feldman
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by feldman »

les hearn wrote:please be aware that tubes can pull off the decals after a while..when u take the tube off the helmet

i destroyed one of my decals this way :x
Must be really bad decals :)
askhati wrote:I'd prefer a one-piece, continuous band - less chance of it coming apart in the field when you are busy prepping it with foliage.
Well.. that depends on what glue you are using. Where i have glued mine together is the strongest part !
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les hearn
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Re: Bicycle-tube helmet bands

Post by les hearn »

feldman wrote:
les hearn wrote:please be aware that tubes can pull off the decals after a while..when u take the tube off the helmet

i destroyed one of my decals this way :x
Must be really bad decals :)

why?

decals put on with water.

if you take the tube off that has been on for a while it can stick to the decal and take some of it of
95th nacht..attached 85th gebirgsjeager

have enigma ,will travel.
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