A helmet is an indispensable accessory for anyone who loves to ride a motorcycle. It is not only related to obeying traffic rules but also protects your safety, especially the head.
Any part of this gear needs attention and careful selection, even the Pinlock. How does it work, and what is the correct way to install it? All is revealed in the next sections.
Table of Contents
Pinlock Helmet Explained
The meaning is pretty simple, and you can understand that it is a flexible, clear plastic insert that fits the visor’s inner surface.
What Is A Pinlock Visor?
In short, it is a need-to-have accessory to your visor. It is made of moisture-absorbing material and is pin-secured to the helmet face shield to create an ‘airtight’ chamber. The moisture-absorbing material absorbs moisture in the air like a sponge, preventing it from settling and fogging the visor.
Riding with a fogged-up helmet visor is annoying and dangerous because it interferes with the rider’s field of vision and focuses. During cold and rainy weather, fog buildup in a visor can become even thicker and blurrier, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead. That’s why you shouldn’t ignore this accessory.
How Does A Pinlock Visor Work?
A Pinlock insert forms an airtight silicone seal between it and the helmet shield’s inner surface. This air pocket insulates your shield from the temperature difference between the colder outside air and the warmer microclimate you’ve created inside your helmet.
Because of the use of physics, your visor should remain mostly fog-free as long as the seal between the shield and the Pinlock is airtight. This is a far more stable and long-lasting solution than hydrophilic coatings, keeping steam from condensing on the shield’s inside.
Type Of Pinlock
Based on performance level:
- Pinlock 30: This is the fog resistance’s lowest level and is ideal for casual riders.
- Pinlock 70: Pinlock 70 is more suitable for commuting riders because it is longer and performs better.
- Pinlock 120: This level is the top line and provides the best fog resistance performance.
Based on color:
- Clear: It comes in handy when in low-light conditions or at night. Clear lenses are also less likely to distort colors, which is useful for seeing traffic signals.
- Light smoke: Light smoke tints are meant for bright, sunny days. They ward your eyes off UV rays and reduce glare.
- Dark smoke: This one restricts a significant amount of sunlight, which is useful if you’re riding in bright conditions and gives you more privacy than a clear visor.
- Yellow: It is intended for use when your visibility is poor or on overcast days. The yellow tint boosts contrast and makes it more convenient to observe in low-light situations.
- Protect Tint: In a few seconds, it can go from clear to dark, making it the best fit for motorcycle riders who need to see clearly at night and during the day.
How To Install And Adjust Pinlock
Installation
- Take off your helmet’s visor.
- If you’re having trouble removing the visor, learn how to do this with your specific helmet on the Internet.
- Make certain that the inside of the shield is clean. If it’s a brand-new helmet, the visor will almost certainly be cleaned by the helmet manufacturer.
- Fold the visor against your forearm and place one end against your ribs.
- Make sure the Pinlock’s rubber seal faces the inside of your visor, and slide it between the pins to sit comfortably.
- With the insert lens in place, take the blue film out to reveal a securely fitted lens.
Adjustment
The ‘Breath Test’ is a quick way to ensure that this accessory has been properly installed. On the visor’s outer surface, take a deep breath, and you should notice that the shield is fogged but not the Pinlock.
If you discover that your Pinlock is incorrectly fitted or has become misty after a few months of use, you can re-adjust it.
Some visors come with a screw adjuster, which allows you to find the best position by using a small screwdriver on the outside screw and rotating the lug forwards or backward. You’ll have to repeat this process on both sides.
Other visors will lack screws. In this case, take out the visor from the helmet and locate the pair of lugs inside the shield. Rotate the lugs carefully on both sides with a small pair of pliers to adjust the lens to the correct position.
Again, the ‘Breath Test’ will confirm that the lens seal is functioning properly.
FAQs
Why Should I Install The Pinlock To My Motorcycle Helmets?
The role of this accessory is to prevent fogging up on your helmet visor. This guarantees the safety of your trip, especially in low light or inclement weather.
Imagine what it would be like when you are driving at more than 80km/h, then your visor is full of fog and steam. It’s really disastrous! You need to stop immediately to wipe it off, but this is definitely something no one wants to encounter.
Can I Use A Pinlock At Night?
Yes, of course!
If you are worried that the gray lens will interfere with your view, clear, yellow, and protected ones will be the best choices. They will assist you in observing your surroundings during the trip, especially in low light conditions like at night.
How To Prevent Pinlock Fogging Up?
It is critical to use ventilation when riding with the lens. This allows them to expel the moisture they have absorbed and keeps the lens from becoming saturated.
You can clean it with a microfiber cloth; keep in mind that its lens is less scratch-resistant than the visors. Using cleaning products, soap, or water-repellent products on your lens will deteriorate its performance.
Is Toothpaste Useful For Reducing Fogging Up?
No. Never use household products on your insert lenses, such as toothpaste or shaving cream. These Internet tips may damage and scratch lenses.
The best way to fix the foggy visor is to buy dedicated products for cleaning right at a Pinlock store. They provide a more optimal cleaning effect and do not damage this accessory.
Final Thoughts
You’ve had the answer about the meaning of a Pinlock of a helmet. To sum up, it is designed to limit fogging on the visor and optimize visibility while riding. For both day and night, this accessory is worth your investment.
See Also: What is MIPS helmet?
