Griffin helmets
Discussion
This might have something to do with that... Motorcycle helmet failures result in unparalleled settlements for brain-injured riders
Bandito said:
This might have something to do with that... Motorcycle helmet failures result in unparalleled settlements for brain-injured riders
Wow! I had one of those and also had an off where I hit the lid on the ground. Binned the lid after that, but just wow!Welcome btw
Conian said:
funk me! glad to see theyre gone then.
I think it is a different company to the British Griffins, struggling to find anything on the web but I am sure that Griffin (UK) only ever used fibreglassThey were big manufacturers of horse riding helmets and were very highly respected as being very advanced and luxurious at the time, but they were also expensive.
The helmets mentioned in that link were made in Canada and sound like cheap rubbish with the only similarity being the name
I dunno, y'know... from what I can see, they traded under the Griffin name throughout the 80s selling all sorts of helmets from bikes through American football to snowmobiles they added Helmtec as a trade name in 87 onwards.
I'd say it still fits.
In fact, here you go -
Vintage NOS boxed Griffin helmet on UK eBay
Vintage Griffin Motorcyle Helmet & face Shield late 60's early 70's Size M on US eBay
Same logo. Bit too much of a coincidence, I think.
[edit] Lol! First one is listed as "Item condition: New with defects"!
Buyer beware!!
I just sent the link above to the seller, so hopefully he'll pass it on to the auction winner.
I'd say it still fits.
In fact, here you go -
Vintage NOS boxed Griffin helmet on UK eBay
Vintage Griffin Motorcyle Helmet & face Shield late 60's early 70's Size M on US eBay
Same logo. Bit too much of a coincidence, I think.
[edit] Lol! First one is listed as "Item condition: New with defects"!
Buyer beware!!
I just sent the link above to the seller, so hopefully he'll pass it on to the auction winner.
Edited by Bandito on Sunday 15th July 20:05
Bandito said:
I dunno, y'know... from what I can see, they traded under the Griffin name throughout the 80s selling all sorts of helmets from bikes through American football to snowmobiles they added Helmtec as a trade name in 87 onwards.
I'd say it still fits.
In fact, here you go -
Vintage NOS boxed Griffin helmet on UK eBay
Vintage Griffin Motorcyle Helmet & face Shield late 60's early 70's Size M on US eBay
Same logo. Bit too much of a coincidence, I think.
[edit] Lol! First one is listed as "Item condition: New with defects"!
Buyer beware!!
I just sent the link above to the seller, so hopefully he'll pass it on to the auction winner.
Just been doing a bit of searching and Griffin UK was making motorcycle helmets in the early 70's (and possibly earlier) whereas the Canadian Griffin was registered in 1975 and cancelled in 1984, and looking at one on Ebay looks very poorly built I'd say it still fits.
In fact, here you go -
Vintage NOS boxed Griffin helmet on UK eBay
Vintage Griffin Motorcyle Helmet & face Shield late 60's early 70's Size M on US eBay
Same logo. Bit too much of a coincidence, I think.
[edit] Lol! First one is listed as "Item condition: New with defects"!
Buyer beware!!
I just sent the link above to the seller, so hopefully he'll pass it on to the auction winner.
Edited by Bandito on Sunday 15th July 20:05
whereas the british ones I came across were very well built and considered to be the Aria of there dayI agree the logo looks very similar but when you consider that someone has registered MP4-12c spider in America?
It was cancelled mid-80s because they renamed it, adding 'International' to the name and incorporating the brand name of Helmtec as a subsidiary arm, as I mentioned.
The guy I wrote to with the boxed UK one above may be able to shed a bit more light in the absence of you or I producing convincing enough evidence to sway each other if what I've already posted isn't enough.
The guy I wrote to with the boxed UK one above may be able to shed a bit more light in the absence of you or I producing convincing enough evidence to sway each other if what I've already posted isn't enough.
turbotim43 said:
I agree the logo looks very similar but when you consider that someone has registered MP4-12c spider in America?
If an international car manufacturer had registered McLaren, I might see your point...Edited by Bandito on Monday 16th July 01:05
Saw this thread when I was searching for info on Griffin Helmets which I wore when racing bikes in the last century. I realise it's a bit cold but thought I might add some first hand facts.
I started wearing Griffin Helmets in July 1974 having met the MD of Griffin Helmets at the British GP at Silverstone. I think he had a double barreled name, he wore a bowtie and he was walking across the paddock, helmet under his arm, looking for Barry Sheene because he wanted a rider who was likely to win at the meeting whilst wearing his helmet. I knew that Graham Hill and other F1 drivers wore Griffin so thought they must be ok and asked to see the helmet. It had a fibre glass shell, interchangeable interior, chamois leather trimmings and a ventilated visor - in other words a very well made helmet not a cheap polycarbonate! I told him I knew Barry and that he had a contract with Bell Helmets so couldn't wear a Griffin but I knew someone who was likely to win one of the races. Me! Well, I must have sounded convincing because he asked me if I would wear it. He made some alterations for me, I went out and set fastest lap in practice and won the 500cc Production race the following day. I appeared in his ads and he provided me with helmets for the rest of my bike career paying very generous win bonuses.
By the way, in 1974, Woodcote was flat out on a 250 and down one on a 500 with the tarmac wearing the leather from your boot for what seemed a very long time. It was one of my favourite bends along with Eau Rouge, Paddock (at Brands) and Barregarrow on the Isle of Man.
I started wearing Griffin Helmets in July 1974 having met the MD of Griffin Helmets at the British GP at Silverstone. I think he had a double barreled name, he wore a bowtie and he was walking across the paddock, helmet under his arm, looking for Barry Sheene because he wanted a rider who was likely to win at the meeting whilst wearing his helmet. I knew that Graham Hill and other F1 drivers wore Griffin so thought they must be ok and asked to see the helmet. It had a fibre glass shell, interchangeable interior, chamois leather trimmings and a ventilated visor - in other words a very well made helmet not a cheap polycarbonate! I told him I knew Barry and that he had a contract with Bell Helmets so couldn't wear a Griffin but I knew someone who was likely to win one of the races. Me! Well, I must have sounded convincing because he asked me if I would wear it. He made some alterations for me, I went out and set fastest lap in practice and won the 500cc Production race the following day. I appeared in his ads and he provided me with helmets for the rest of my bike career paying very generous win bonuses.
By the way, in 1974, Woodcote was flat out on a 250 and down one on a 500 with the tarmac wearing the leather from your boot for what seemed a very long time. It was one of my favourite bends along with Eau Rouge, Paddock (at Brands) and Barregarrow on the Isle of Man.
stokeith said:
Saw this thread when I was searching for info on Griffin Helmets which I wore when racing bikes in the last century. I realise it's a bit cold but thought I might add some first hand facts.
I started wearing Griffin Helmets in July 1974 having met the MD of Griffin Helmets at the British GP at Silverstone. I think he had a double barreled name, he wore a bowtie and he was walking across the paddock, helmet under his arm, looking for Barry Sheene because he wanted a rider who was likely to win at the meeting whilst wearing his helmet. I knew that Graham Hill and other F1 drivers wore Griffin so thought they must be ok and asked to see the helmet. It had a fibre glass shell, interchangeable interior, chamois leather trimmings and a ventilated visor - in other words a very well made helmet not a cheap polycarbonate! I told him I knew Barry and that he had a contract with Bell Helmets so couldn't wear a Griffin but I knew someone who was likely to win one of the races. Me! Well, I must have sounded convincing because he asked me if I would wear it. He made some alterations for me, I went out and set fastest lap in practice and won the 500cc Production race the following day. I appeared in his ads and he provided me with helmets for the rest of my bike career paying very generous win bonuses.
By the way, in 1974, Woodcote was flat out on a 250 and down one on a 500 with the tarmac wearing the leather from your boot for what seemed a very long time. It was one of my favourite bends along with Eau Rouge, Paddock (at Brands) and Barregarrow on the Isle of Man.
Holy thread resurrection! I started wearing Griffin Helmets in July 1974 having met the MD of Griffin Helmets at the British GP at Silverstone. I think he had a double barreled name, he wore a bowtie and he was walking across the paddock, helmet under his arm, looking for Barry Sheene because he wanted a rider who was likely to win at the meeting whilst wearing his helmet. I knew that Graham Hill and other F1 drivers wore Griffin so thought they must be ok and asked to see the helmet. It had a fibre glass shell, interchangeable interior, chamois leather trimmings and a ventilated visor - in other words a very well made helmet not a cheap polycarbonate! I told him I knew Barry and that he had a contract with Bell Helmets so couldn't wear a Griffin but I knew someone who was likely to win one of the races. Me! Well, I must have sounded convincing because he asked me if I would wear it. He made some alterations for me, I went out and set fastest lap in practice and won the 500cc Production race the following day. I appeared in his ads and he provided me with helmets for the rest of my bike career paying very generous win bonuses.
By the way, in 1974, Woodcote was flat out on a 250 and down one on a 500 with the tarmac wearing the leather from your boot for what seemed a very long time. It was one of my favourite bends along with Eau Rouge, Paddock (at Brands) and Barregarrow on the Isle of Man.
Welcome Keith
Please tell us more about yourself I'm sure there are a load of guys that would like to hear about your endevours. I loved the Griffin as it brought back memories of the guy that got me into motorcyling in the late 70's with a Norton Commando mk3 who swore by them
stokeith said:
Saw this thread when I was searching for info on Griffin Helmets which I wore when racing bikes in the last century. I realise it's a bit cold but thought I might add some first hand facts.
I started wearing Griffin Helmets in July 1974 having met the MD of Griffin Helmets at the British GP at Silverstone. I think he had a double barreled name, he wore a bowtie and he was walking across the paddock, helmet under his arm, looking for Barry Sheene because he wanted a rider who was likely to win at the meeting whilst wearing his helmet. I knew that Graham Hill and other F1 drivers wore Griffin so thought they must be ok and asked to see the helmet. It had a fibre glass shell, interchangeable interior, chamois leather trimmings and a ventilated visor - in other words a very well made helmet not a cheap polycarbonate! I told him I knew Barry and that he had a contract with Bell Helmets so couldn't wear a Griffin but I knew someone who was likely to win one of the races. Me! Well, I must have sounded convincing because he asked me if I would wear it. He made some alterations for me, I went out and set fastest lap in practice and won the 500cc Production race the following day. I appeared in his ads and he provided me with helmets for the rest of my bike career paying very generous win bonuses.
By the way, in 1974, Woodcote was flat out on a 250 and down one on a 500 with the tarmac wearing the leather from your boot for what seemed a very long time. It was one of my favourite bends along with Eau Rouge, Paddock (at Brands) and Barregarrow on the Isle of Man.
I bet you've got some amazing stories - I for one would love to hear them!I started wearing Griffin Helmets in July 1974 having met the MD of Griffin Helmets at the British GP at Silverstone. I think he had a double barreled name, he wore a bowtie and he was walking across the paddock, helmet under his arm, looking for Barry Sheene because he wanted a rider who was likely to win at the meeting whilst wearing his helmet. I knew that Graham Hill and other F1 drivers wore Griffin so thought they must be ok and asked to see the helmet. It had a fibre glass shell, interchangeable interior, chamois leather trimmings and a ventilated visor - in other words a very well made helmet not a cheap polycarbonate! I told him I knew Barry and that he had a contract with Bell Helmets so couldn't wear a Griffin but I knew someone who was likely to win one of the races. Me! Well, I must have sounded convincing because he asked me if I would wear it. He made some alterations for me, I went out and set fastest lap in practice and won the 500cc Production race the following day. I appeared in his ads and he provided me with helmets for the rest of my bike career paying very generous win bonuses.
By the way, in 1974, Woodcote was flat out on a 250 and down one on a 500 with the tarmac wearing the leather from your boot for what seemed a very long time. It was one of my favourite bends along with Eau Rouge, Paddock (at Brands) and Barregarrow on the Isle of Man.
Welcome along, hang about and maybe start a thread or add some of your pics to the picture a day thread? I'm sure many of us would be interested to hear first hand about competing at that level back in those days
The Griffin Helmet was designed by Terry Ogilvie-Hardy who died in October 2003. There is a nice obituary written by Motor Sport – you can read it on-line.
Sadly, I only talked face to face with Terry once, when invited me to Sunday lunch at his home near Worcester in 2001. It was enthralling to listen to him recount all the things he had crammed into his lifetime. Along with other things, was a keen competitor on the Cresta Run (where the competitors hurtle head first down an icy slope on, basically, a tea-tray). He also worked with Frank Costin on the Vanwall F1 car project.
He was a real character and a damn good bloke.
Sadly, I only talked face to face with Terry once, when invited me to Sunday lunch at his home near Worcester in 2001. It was enthralling to listen to him recount all the things he had crammed into his lifetime. Along with other things, was a keen competitor on the Cresta Run (where the competitors hurtle head first down an icy slope on, basically, a tea-tray). He also worked with Frank Costin on the Vanwall F1 car project.
He was a real character and a damn good bloke.
An ex pal bought a new white one, to wear on his XT500 in 78. In my then very large circle of biker mates, these lids were known as “ Griffin Gorillas “ due to their strange side profile. Another guy I the group, with an RD400 bought one. I did hear that the chin bar was too narrow and the visor aperture was too wide, which in some impacts didn’t give the wearers face enough protection.
But, The lid that everyone aspired too back then was a Bell Star. I saved for ages to buy one, it looked great with my green Z900, but within an hour of buying it i just wasnt happy, it was very noisy and very heavy. So I went back to the shop ( Rivetts in Leyton Stone high RD, I think ) and swapped it for a new white AGV ( Ago model I think )
But, The lid that everyone aspired too back then was a Bell Star. I saved for ages to buy one, it looked great with my green Z900, but within an hour of buying it i just wasnt happy, it was very noisy and very heavy. So I went back to the shop ( Rivetts in Leyton Stone high RD, I think ) and swapped it for a new white AGV ( Ago model I think )
I had one; I rather liked it as it had a really large visor opening (I recall a sales pitch was you could do resuscitation with the helmet on) and nice soft leather underneath and underneath your chin. Given it was fibreglass I did a rattle-can spray job on mine with flames. It's around somewhere, probably in the attic. I'll maybe dig it out for old times sake if I can find it...
Reading this thread has prompted me to drag mine out of a cupboard, clean it up a bit and take some photos. It's a Griffin Cd Clubman.
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|https://thumbsnap.com/WSboTNVH[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/p9X29Dea[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/3DLYXi2p[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/oWerC31G[/url]
I bought this way back in 1983 (is that really 41 years ago?) just after I passed my test and to match my first 'big' bike, A Kawasaki z550A2. A2 was part of the model designation, nothing to do with licensing. Just like this one: -
I last used the helmet in about 1989 and since then it has taken up space in various cupboards and boxes. The shell is in very good condition, never dropped, but the lining has gone all saggy like a Jaguar head-lining. It has come away from the internal padding. I don't know why I've kept it so long. A reminder of simpler, carefree times I guess. I suppose it's no longer safe to use, well it probably is until you have a crash!
It's actually the second one I owned. The first was blue to match my Suzuki AP50. My mates were all opting for cheaper Kangol lids but they mostly rode fizzes. HaHa! I read in a motorcycle magazine that the Griffin was the choice of the "mature, serious rider" which is exactly how I saw myself as a 16 year old, tearing up the neighbourhood on my 'ped. I liked all the fancy leather and shiny chrome trim. The blue one had a chin glove rather than the air-dam, a flap of leather and fabric which fastened under the chin, which I preferred.
I had a wee tumble on the AP50, which resulted in me striking the road face-first. I turned up for my test on a Yamaha (erm) RD125 wearing that helmet and the first thing the examiner did was b
k me for the obvious damage to the helmet. He bked me again when I started the Yam and he heard the micron (bean can) exhausts. He said they were illegal and if the police stopped me, that was it, he'd fail me. Later he moaned that he'd barely been able to see my indicators in the bright sunlight. He passed me though, bregrudgingly. It's a good job he never twigged that the RD125 was actually an RD200 with 125 stickers on the side panels.
I'm planning to retire and emigrate soon, so that will mean a big clear out and I'll finally have to get rid. I wonder if it would be a good addition to anyone's helmet collection?
[url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/WSboTNVH[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/p9X29Dea[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/3DLYXi2p[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/oWerC31G[/url]I bought this way back in 1983 (is that really 41 years ago?) just after I passed my test and to match my first 'big' bike, A Kawasaki z550A2. A2 was part of the model designation, nothing to do with licensing. Just like this one: -
I last used the helmet in about 1989 and since then it has taken up space in various cupboards and boxes. The shell is in very good condition, never dropped, but the lining has gone all saggy like a Jaguar head-lining. It has come away from the internal padding. I don't know why I've kept it so long. A reminder of simpler, carefree times I guess. I suppose it's no longer safe to use, well it probably is until you have a crash!
It's actually the second one I owned. The first was blue to match my Suzuki AP50. My mates were all opting for cheaper Kangol lids but they mostly rode fizzes. HaHa! I read in a motorcycle magazine that the Griffin was the choice of the "mature, serious rider" which is exactly how I saw myself as a 16 year old, tearing up the neighbourhood on my 'ped. I liked all the fancy leather and shiny chrome trim. The blue one had a chin glove rather than the air-dam, a flap of leather and fabric which fastened under the chin, which I preferred.
I had a wee tumble on the AP50, which resulted in me striking the road face-first. I turned up for my test on a Yamaha (erm) RD125 wearing that helmet and the first thing the examiner did was b
k me for the obvious damage to the helmet. He bked me again when I started the Yam and he heard the micron (bean can) exhausts. He said they were illegal and if the police stopped me, that was it, he'd fail me. Later he moaned that he'd barely been able to see my indicators in the bright sunlight. He passed me though, bregrudgingly. It's a good job he never twigged that the RD125 was actually an RD200 with 125 stickers on the side panels.I'm planning to retire and emigrate soon, so that will mean a big clear out and I'll finally have to get rid. I wonder if it would be a good addition to anyone's helmet collection?
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