Tapeworks Helmet Graphics
TAPEWORKS HELMET GRAPHICS
CW EVALUATION
Custom-colored helmet fashion
MOTORCYCLE HELMETS HAVE COME A long way from the first leather caps borrowed from barn-storming aviators. Today, helmets are made of space-age materials and come in a myriad of color-and-graphics packages. Ah, but what if the rugged individualist in you wants a unique-looking helmet?
One solution would be to buy a plain, white helmet and have it custom painted. But painting can be time-consuming and expensive, and that’s where The Tapeworks comes in.
The Tapeworks (1231 -B E. Main St., Suite 200, Meriden, CT 06050; [203] 237-6866) was founded two years ago by mechanical engineer and roadracer Rob Masecar, who has evolved 128 helmet-graphics designs, all done in stick-on tape and available in 60 different colors. Having similar designs done by a custom painter could cost $250 or more, while The Tapework’s designs sell for $69 to $ 120.
A customer chooses a design from The Tapeworks’ $2 catalog, which shows all the patterns and colors available. Having picked a design, the customer then boxes up his helmet and mails it to Connecticut, to be returned in two to three weeks wearing the design-of-choice applied in two-mil-thick vinyl.
An option would be for a customer to order one of The Tapework’s 24 pre-cut tape kits and apply the design himself. That saves time, mailing costs and the company’s $75 installation charge, though Masecar warns that, depending upon design, the kits can be moderately difficult to apply. One other option would be to buy a new helmet directly from Masecar, who handles Arai, Bell, Marushin, Shoei and Simpson brands, have him install the design, then ship the completed package.
Curious, Cycle World sent The Tapeworks a white Shoei, specifying design number 12, which costs $99.95, in red and black with gold striping. The result looks good, even if close inspection reveals that some tape ends are a bit short and others overlap. Also, the tape job doesn’t look as finished as it might, because it isn't covered with a clear coat, as are many factory designs, though the tape shouldn’t be damaged by such a coat, according to Masecar. But, without the clear coat, at least it’s an easy matter to peel up the tape and apply another pattern at a later date.
All in all, we found The Tapeworks’ treatment quite striking. And while the price of a new helmet plus the cost of the design, as well as shipping to and from the company, likely will total more than the price of a new helmet sporting a fancy, factory design, at least there’s an excellent chance the design and color combination you choose from The Tapeworks will be yours and yours alone.
