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Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 3:57 pm
by melpotter
Hi Guys and Gals. I'm generally a big fan of Pinlock inserts, had them on a few helmets but they don't seem to stay 'sticky' for more than a few months :( . My current lid is a Caberg Duke which was pre-drilled for Pinlock and came with one supplied

I've read various threads around the Interweb suggesting things like washing the visor and insert in plain water etc (I have, of course already got the pins in the maximum pressure position).

I've tried washing with water a few times but it doesn't seem to help. I'm considering whether it's a problem with grease on the inside of the visor and I've tried cleaning it with spectacle cleaner (which works really well on my glasses) but that didn't work so I'm wondering if acetone nail varnish remover is worth a try.

Anybody have any ideas?

Re: Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 4:44 pm
by MrGrumpy
Odd....pinlocks aren't sticky... they are held in by their tension against the pins forcing them against the visor. If its leaking moisture, then there you are losing the tension somewhere. It may be that the pins aren't quite in the right place - these things require immense precision. I have a Lazer helmet, where the pinlock fit is so appalling, I've had to put masking tape across the gap!

Re: Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 9:15 pm
by SH125Paul
MrGrumpy wrote:Odd....pinlocks aren't sticky... they are held in by their tension against the pins forcing them against the visor. If its leaking moisture, then there you are losing the tension somewhere. It may be that the pins aren't quite in the right place - these things require immense precision. I have a Lazer helmet, where the pinlock fit is so appalling, I've had to put masking tape across the gap!
+1 on my Lazer Paname Flip...
Would prefer a normal visor...
When I tried it without the pinlock, the pins just fall out - and the whistling thru the small holes is annoying...

Re: Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 10:40 pm
by Bluebottle
Just a thought but could the pins be over-tight and causing the film to pucker somewhere?

I wouldn't use acetone because the material is absorbent and/or might react chemically

Re: Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:09 pm
by Funkycowie
to wash it you are supposed to use water and a small amount of soap, atleast thats what it said in the instructions I got with my pinlock, that gets rid of any greasyness.

Re: Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 4:26 pm
by MrGrumpy
XMax400Paul wrote:
MrGrumpy wrote:Odd....pinlocks aren't sticky... they are held in by their tension against the pins forcing them against the visor. If its leaking moisture, then there you are losing the tension somewhere. It may be that the pins aren't quite in the right place - these things require immense precision. I have a Lazer helmet, where the pinlock fit is so appalling, I've had to put masking tape across the gap!
+1 on my Lazer Paname Flip...
Would prefer a normal visor...
When I tried it without the pinlock, the pins just fall out - and the whistling thru the small holes is annoying...
Jesus...mine's a Paname as well, so they must be all like that!! I tried to fit a Fog City stick on insert, but the pins get in the way.

Re: Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:21 pm
by SH125Paul
I think its 'cos the lower 'swing' part of the lid has some give in it not holding the visors curvature fixed...
and WARNING! do not try and remove the sun drop down - the little bits of plastic that are the clips to hold it are so fragile the break - and finding a replacement is like rocking horse shit... and they aint cheap - I found one from a Lazer Stockist in Scotland...

Gonna see if I can find a plain visor for reasonable cost ready for winter... they are about £40

I can get my pinlock to fit tight to the top in which case the bottom would mist up - or fit tight to the bottom - and then you would get some water down the gap = which would run back and forth across the bottom seal - like wearing a scuba face mask!

Unfortunatly I purchased mine on line from a shop in NI - not there fault - but awkward to return! - plus by now all Panema are 'prolly NOS

Re: Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:45 pm
by Beardy
I've had a Duke for nearly a year now, and the pinlock insert has never properly "sealed". Its y first lid with a pinlock. I've adjusted the pins as per the pinlock website, and the insert feels tight when it is fitted, but it soon slips down as the bottom edge just does not push against the visor. I think its down to the design - the Duke has a "W" bottom edge rather than a traditional sooth curve and the "troughs" of the W never seem to sit well and just raise away from the surface, eventually affecting the overall seal. I like the lid and think it is an adequate helmet for the price, but its pinlock design appears to be flawed. Wonder if there are any other Duke owners who have had better results.

Re: Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:14 am
by SH125Paul
Was looking at getting a Duke (to replace my Konda, which replaced my Trip) - not a bad commuter lid for the money but would get a non-pinlock option if i could...
Although the Lazer Paname is way better in my opinion... may just get a plain visor for it...
For Info Mr Grumpy - the Lazer Vertigo and AGV Longway uses the same visor as the Paname

Wearing glasses i useually have the visor open a smidge anyhow - to stop the glasses steaming up - and when you have the sun visor down, plus the normal visor and the pinlock - as well as ya glasses - any marks on each surface soon add-up...

Re: Leaky Pinlock

Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 12:07 pm
by StephenC
Beardy wrote:I've had a Duke for nearly a year now, and the pinlock insert has never properly "sealed". Its y first lid with a pinlock. I've adjusted the pins as per the pinlock website, and the insert feels tight when it is fitted, but it soon slips down as the bottom edge just does not push against the visor. I think its down to the design - the Duke has a "W" bottom edge rather than a traditional sooth curve and the "troughs" of the W never seem to sit well and just raise away from the surface, eventually affecting the overall seal. I like the lid and think it is an adequate helmet for the price, but its pinlock design appears to be flawed. Wonder if there are any other Duke owners who have had better results.
Yeah, I've got a Duke too. I like it and the piunlock worked fine until I messed about with it and split the seam :cry: