OWNER'S MANUAL - rev.2007/11/22
IMPORTANT: read carefully this manual before using your helmet !
Take the time to learn what kind of protection you can reasonably expect from your helmet and
how to use it properly.
For the best possible protection, a helmet must:
• fit properly
• be worn properly positioned; and,
• be properly fastened.
ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT HAS LIMITS
Some very low speed accidents can result in serious injury or death, EVEN WHILE WEARING A HELMET. How low is low speed? Cases of death and serious brain injury have been documented at accident speeds below 30 Kilometer per hour. Some head injuries cannot be prevented by any helmet. In fact, death or serious brain injury can occur even without a blow to the head, just like scrambling an egg without breaking the shell.HELMET PERFORMANCE
Each accident scenario is unique. Variations in speed, angle, and surface coupled with differences in individual anatomy make it impossible to predict the outcome of accidents. Although no one can accurately predict which helmets will prevent injury in which accidents, studies have repeatedly shown that we are much better off with a helmet than without one. A blow to the unprotected head from as little as one meter fall can be fatal. The helmet only protects those areas of the head which are covered. No helmet can protect the neck or areas of the head not covered by the helmet. A helmet is designed to absorb the force of a blow first by spreading it over as wide an area of the outer shell as possible, and then by the crushing of the non-resilient energy absorbing inner liner. Damage to the helmet caused by an impact is not a sign of a defect in its design or construction. In fact, it is exactly what the helmet is designed to do. If the blow is severe enough it can overcome the helmet's protective capabilities, resulting in injury or death. For more information on helmet performance or to find out what to do if your helmet is severely impacted, contact Bell Racing Europe.DO'S AND DON'T'S
DO NOT attach anything to your helmet, except head restraint system approved by the FIA. Attachments can focus a blow in a small area. Rigid attachments can cause twisting of your head and neck in an accident which might result in serious injury or death.DO use a helmet which is specifically designed for your chosen activity.
DO wear your helmet properly positioned and securely fastened at all times.
DO store your helmet in a cool dry place. Exposure to temperatures in excess of 60¡C can cause damage to the polystyrene inner liner, resulting in a loss of the helmet's protective capabilities.
PROPER USE OF HELMET
Step 1: POSITIONING THE HELMET ON YOUR HEAD
The helmet must be properly positioned on your head. The helmet should be worn low on the brow to protect the forehead area. See Figure 1.
Step 2: FITTING THE HELMET
Put the helmet on. When properly positioned the helmet must fit your head snugly with uniform, firm pressure all around. It must also touch the top of your head.
Step 3: CHECKING THE FIT
Correctly position the helmet on your head and stand in front of a mirror. Gently rotate the helmet first from left to right and then from front to back, as in Figure 2. If the skin on your brow moves with the helmet as it is rotated, the fit is proper. If the skin on your brow does not move when the helmet is rotated in either direction, the fit is too loose. Try various sizes until you find one that fits correctly. Rotate from-Left to Right, and from Front to Back.
Step 4: CORRECTLY USING THE CHIN STRAP
A good fit and a properly fastened chin strap are all that keep the helmet on your head during an accident. Make sure the chin strap is correctly fastened and pulled snugly up against your throat each time you wear your helmet. To correctly fasten the strap, thread the end through the "D" rings as shown in Figure 3, then pull it until the strap is snugly against your throat.
WARNING: Do not use chin cups or wear strap on the point of the chin. This will increase the risk of the helmet coming off in an accident.
To unfasten the strap and remove your helmet, pull the "D" ring red pull tab outward (away from your face) to release the strap tension. See Diagram 3. Unthread the strap through the "D" rings. To remove your helmet grasp the chin strap halves in each hand and while pulling out- ward lift the helmet from your head. See Figure 4.
Step 5: FINAL FIT CHECK
Now, with the helmet properly positioned, and the chin strap fastened, try to remove the helmet from your head. Grasp it securely and make a serious effort to roll it off your head in both the forward and rearward directions, If you can remove the helmet or are able to roll the helmet backward far enough to expose your forehead or forward far enough to block your vision, the helmet either fits too loosely or the straps are not properly adjusted. Repeat Steps 1 through 4. If you can still remove the helmet, it is too large. DO NOT use it. Replace the helmet with a smaller size. If you cannot remove the helmet and it does not roll either backward far enough to expose your forehead or forward far enough to block your vision, you have a proper fit.
Step 6: TEST DRIVE
Steps 1 through 5 are critical to getting the most out of your helmet. Spend as much time as necessary to satisfy yourself that you have a good fit. Only after successfully completing steps 1 through 5, put on your helmet and take a test drive. If, after the test drive, the helmet felt comfortable, remained firmly in place, and the straps have remained properly adjusted, your helmet is ready to use. If the helmet felt uncomfortable or moved excessively, go through steps 1 through 5 as necessary to correct the problem. If you are unable to successfully complete all 5 steps, if the helmet does not feel comfortable, if it fits improperly, or if you have any other problem or question, DO NOT continue to use the helmet. Either:
* return to the dealer for assistance; or
* contact BELL RACING EUROPE for further instructions.
ADJUSTABLE TEAR-OFFS POSTS
Using a coin or screwdriver, turn the adjustable tear-off posts so the widest part of the posts are toward the centre of the face shield. See Figure 5.
Stack the tear-offs to your preference. Rotate the adjustable tear-off posts until the tear-offs are tight, as shown in Figure 6.
VENTILATON
Some Bell Auto Racing helmets feature externally operated forehead vents. Slide open to experience maximum air exchange. When closed the helmet still exchanges air, but at a lower rate.
WARNING: Some helmets have air vents which may act as a conduit for vapour, heat, or flames in the vent of fire, which could result in severe injury or death.
OPERATION AND REPLACEMENT OF FACE SHIELDS
OPERATION:
Shields on Bell auto racing helmets are opened by placing the thumb of your left hand against the left side edge of the shield (the one with the molded in flare) and simultaneously prying outward and lifting upward on the shield to lift it over the adjustable eccentric button. Practice several times to become familiar with this operation before actual use. To close, simply push downward on the top centre of the shield until it snaps into place over the eccentric button. Always check to be sure it has locked over the eccentric button.
ADJUSTMENT:
Adjustment of the eccentric button on the lower left side of the eye opening is possible to fine tune the closing action of the shield (See Figure 7).
Using a hex wrench, loosen the set screw and rotate the button so that the shield latches easily but securely over the button when it is pulled down by the top centre edge with one hand. When adjusted to your preference, tighten the set screw.
"SV" SHIELD REPLACEMENT:
1) Remove left and right side SV brake screws and SV brake washers.
2) Remove left and right side shield pivot screws using Bell Racing hex wrench.
3) Remove the old shield and if necessary replace the pivot and friction washers. New washers have a self-adhesive side to be applied on the helmet shell. Place the new shield over the well centred friction washers and screw in the pivot screws until snug. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN. Repeat this procedure on the other side.
4) Put the SV brake washers back in place.
5) Adjustment of the eccentric buttons may be required. Use the Bell Racing hex wrench. Rotate the buttons so that the shield latches readily yet securely when pulled down by the top centre edge with one hand.
NOTICE: It is the driver's responsibility to determine if this helmet affords adequate vision and hearing. We recommend the use of earplugs to reduce the likelihood of permanent damage to your hearing.
EXTERIOR
Your Bell helmet is finished with a tough high gloss polyurethane coating which resists scratching. It can be cleaned with any high quality product used for the care of automotive finishes. We particularly recommend the use of the products contained in our Helmet Cleaning Kit.
INTERIOR
The interior surface of the helmet can only be cleaned with mild soap and water.
WARNING: Do not use solvents or any petroleum based cleaners, as they will damage the helmet's energy absorbing liner. Do not attempt to force dry your helmet with heat. Temperatures in excess of 60¡C can cause damage.
PAINTING
Paint can react with helmet shell material and affect its protective capacity. Although the outer shell of the helmet is constructed of thermo set composite materials and finished with a polyurethane coating and although it can theorically be repainted with high quality air drying acrylic or polyurethane enamel, we do not recommend to have the helmet decorated by an independent painter. We often see helmets decorated by independent painters being damaged during the painting process. In no case should the helmet be dismantled during painting. Paint requiring heat curing should not be used. Paint penetrating the interior of the helmet can affect the performances of the helmet liner and other components.
Bell Racing Europe offer to all Bell helmet owners the possibility to have their helmet decorated by our painting service with the guarantee that the work carried out will not affect the original protective qualities of the helmet. Our experience over the past years in the painting of Formula One and other professional drivers' helmets has enabled us to reproduce practically every design and colors possible. Bell Racing Europe painting service is the only official painting service in Europe. Each painted helmet is accompanied by an official certificate including a color picture of the helmet and confirming its conformity with the FIA safety regulations. We offer competitive prices, good delays and a recognized name in this area. Contact Bell Racing Europe if you have any questions or for further information on the official painting service.
REPAIR AND INSPECTON SERVICE
Since helmet damage is not always visible following an accident, it is always best to either replace your helmet once it has been subjected to a severe impact, or to return it to Bell Racing Europe for a thorough inspection. If you've owned your helmet less than two (2) years, Bell will examine it free of charge, provide you with a written report of the damage, and an estimate of the cost to return it to a like new condition. Repairs will only be performed with your approval. Repairs will not be performed to a helmet unless the repairs will return the helmet to its original condition. Bell reserves the right to refuse to repair helmets which have been altered by the owner or any third party.
Even if your helmet has not been impacted, we recommend that it be replaced periodically (every five (5) years), to take advantage of advances in helmet design and construction.
IMPORTANT WARNING • ABOUT PRODUCT LIMITATIONS
Unfortunately, some accidents result in head injuries that cannot be prevented by ANY helmet. Depending on the type of impact, even a very low speed accident can result in a serious head injury or death. Be sure you've read this manual to insure proper use, fit, and care of your helmet.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Any Bell Racing helmet determined by Bell Racing Europe to be defective in materials or workmanship within two (2) years from the date of original retail purchase will be repaired or replaced, at Bell's option, free of charge when received at the factory freight prepaid, together with proof of purchase. This warranty is expressly in lieu of all other warranties. Any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose are limited to the same duration as this express warranty. Bell shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages. Some countries/states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties, incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty does not cover damage resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, failure to perform maintenance as instructed, or unauthorized modification, repair or service. This warranty does not cover any representation or warranty made by dealers beyond the provisions of this warranty. You must establish proof of purchase to obtain warranty service or replacement. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you also have other rights which vary from country to country or state to state.
If you have any questions about your Bell Racing product, please contact Bell Racing Europe.
