To the ones that rode before my time

[_Sheffjs_]

I see so many black and white pictures from the 60s and back where riders are out with no eye protection at all, was this commonplace?

[Valker]

I see so many black and white pictures from the 60s and back where riders are out with no eye protection at all, was this commonplace?

I was running about 70mph on my CB450 Honda in 1968. I ran through a swarm of gnats without eye protection. I've worn it since.

[TJ]

Well Jerry , It was for all the guys with M/C's when I grew up.. Jeans & cut off T-shirts... It was nothing but fun back then..
 Not as many idiots out there either.

PS: NO windshields either unless you were a sissy.... 

[old2soon]

          My 3/4 helmet had one of those wrap around shields. My 500/4 had only a sissy bar for the passenger. Yeah lotsa guys I knew rode sans eye protection til ya caught a june bug smack square in da eyeball. My shield got Seriously bug splattered one night before I got to work. Removed shield put helmet back on. Couple miles later a B-29 moth-yup near on THAT big-managed to wrap itself around the right lens of my glasses and my eye was on fire. Found a gas station-closed-but the paper towel dispenser and the wind shield wash water were still out. Took some of the crud out of eye But still Burned. My shift supervisor at work had too know a bit about first aid. Took awhile to git various bits of moth wing and moth leg(s) outa my eye. Some irrigation of eye did my shift stopped at a M/C shop and bought 4 or 5 shields and saw my Doctor when I got home. Dr. commended my Supervisor as there were no more foreign matter in my eye. Took bout a week for swelling to go down. Now I ride a Full dress I/S. Shades or goggles on over glasses behind a W/S depending on light conditions for goggles or shades. You'd be surprised How FAST you can stop with something in yer jacket or jeans stingin ya.  But That's a tale fer anuuder day!  RIDE SAFE.

[Patrick]

Used to run around on the mini-bikes and go-karts without glasses. But, when the bikes got bigger and faster the sunglasses went on. You had to look kewl.

[_Sheffjs_]

Well I prefer no windshield but will always have a FF and Schuberth is my choice. I have been hit hard where it could have been my eye by the splat.     And Sherry was like “what was that” as she heard it through the Sena headset!   

[scooperhsd]

I have almost ALWAYS used a windshield / fairing AND eye protection on my helmet or a fullface helmet - precisely for the bugs in the summer and the cold in winter.

[DIGGER]

I started riding in the mid 60's.    Helmets werent required in Texas but my parents made me wear one.  I have always worn a 3/4 helmet with wrap around shield.  Still do.    I have had 2 of the wrap around shields split in half by flying debry but the objects didn't make it thru to my face.  I wold say helmets with shields have saved my teeth and my eyesight many times.     Twice, while riding with helmet and WITHOUT a shield I have had wasps get lodged between the inner padding and my facial skin recieving multiple stings on each occasion.......man those hurt.

[0leman]

My riding didn't start till late 60's.  Rode without a helmet for several months till a june bug or one of it relatives hit me between the eyes at 70mph (was in a 50 mph zone at the time).  I was wearing glasses (prescription type), so no eye damage just  needed to stop along side the road for a moment or five.
Decided that some sort of head protection was needed.   Got a 3/4 helmet with face shield. 

Two months later got hit by a rock in the middle of the face shield, new shield was needed, but not face damage.  Been wearing helmet since then.

[Jess from VA]

Don't ask me why I used to wear ties to ride.  I can't remember.


My third grade teacher.


Mom?


Before Viagra.


Before pressure treat.


Before The Village People.

[Patrick]

The only bike I've had with a wind screen has been the Valk. Took it off after using it for awhile. Put it right back on, I turned into a woosss in a hurry !

My first helmet was due to my father. It was before a driver license and any helmet law. He made me buy a Bell 500 [ $70]. What 15 yr old has $70 in the mid-60s ! He said if he couldn't keep me off a bike I was going to wear a helmet !  I don't think I had that a week, a little grey haired lady pulled out in front of me in a blue 1961 Mercury convertible. I was laid right right out with my feet on rear axle stubs. I thought I was going to get around her but just caught the rear bumper and it set me spinning. I was the guide rail coming and laid right back and slid under it. There was about a 5ft drop to a gravel driveway. I hit the gravel and slid right up to granite step of the barber shop. My feet slid into the step and that set me upright in the doorway. I looked inside and all the guys were staring at me wild-eyed ! I just called the shop and my mother came in the tow truck and off home we went. I hurt for quite awhile.

[Challenger]

Got my first bike in 1966. Eye protection was required by law but road a lot in the daytime without during my high school years. Couldn't ride at night without glasses with all the corn bore moths and gnats.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I had to go to the files. Nope.......no eye protection.   Maybe about a year later I started wearing a full face with a shield.