Fulmer V2 Gold Bobber Helmet
Story by Eric Bass, Photos by Jackie Bass
Price: $89.95-$109.95, face shields sold separately for $18.95
The fashion magazines all claim that everything old eventually comes back in style (or at least that’s what my wife tells me). I’m not sure that it’s always true, but I’ve been using that premise as a rationale for hanging on to my skinny leather ties, parachute pants, and Capezio shoes for 25 years now to no avail. Hey, before you judge, keep in mind that back in the 80’s the link between long term exposure to Bartels & James wine coolers, and atrophy of the grey matter controlling fashion sense was poorly understood.
Apparently though, at least one oldie but goodie is making its return. The time has come for the glittery ¾ “football” helmet to rise again from its cardboard box in the basement of history and take its place once more as the hippy trippy brain bucket of choice for today’s nouveaux-retro moto-fashionistas. I had one, you had one, and if you didn’t, then your Dad did…and if he didn’t, then surely an uncle or cousin. Unfortunately, while your vintage 40 year old bell-bottoms may still be wearable, I don’t think anyone wants to tempt fate with a 40 year old helmet. Soooo….
The good folks at Fulmer have gone back to the future, and dug up actual samples of the open-face disco balls that they originally produced and sold back in the late 60’s, sending them off to their factory to be reproduced. I can’t swear that a nuclear-powered Delorean was involved, but the V2 helmets that came back sure do pick up right where the Age of Aquarius left off. According to Fulmer’s Director of Marketing, Aimee Leeper, great attention to detail was taken, including specific instructions to the design team that, “We don’t just want a fine-grain dusty sparkle treatment. We want that old school chunky glitter!” There were some minor updates, and a few new colors added to the lineup, but otherwise it’s an identical helmet straight out of Fulmer’s 1969 catalog.
Amy claims that Gold is the hottest selling color, closely followed by Red, and the Captain America replica of Easy Rider fame. “Hands down those are the most tried on helmets when we go to the IMS Shows in different cities. They generate the most excitement. People say things like, ‘Oh my God! That’s just like the first helmet I had when I was a kid! Now I can get one that’s actually DOT, and not just a novelty helmet.”
Truth be told, the V2 is actually a comfy lid, with a plush fixed interior, perforated leather trim, padded D-ring retention system, and snaps that accommodate a classic visor, flat face shield, or uber-retro space man bubble shield. These are sold separately from the helmet in chrome, smoke, or clear tints for $18.95. If you’re down with the Greasers and Hep Cats that seem to be rising like Lazarus from the tomb everywhere I go, then you’re gonna love the way the Fulmer V2 complements your vintage look. As Jack Nicholson said in Easy Rider, “You know, this used to be a helluva good country! I can’t understand what’s gone wrong with it.” I’m not sure if reproducing helmets from 1969 will cure what ails 21st century America, but it sure as heck can’t hurt. And it’s gotta be a better plan than bringing back terry-cloth Def Leppard headbands, right?!