Now we know what you’re thinking – “Bell Helmets isn’t a boutique manufacturer.” And although you’re correct, they DO produce top-shelf products for a boutique market, vintage motorcycling. In particular, their Custom 500 line of vintage styled 3/4 open face helmets. In their marketing campaigns they note that they’re not “Retro, they’re original.” And folks, we have to agree.

Without getting into specific dates it’s pretty easy to say Bell helmets is one of the oldest helmet manufacturers around and the Custom 500 line is based rightly upon the orignal 500. You see, back in 1954 Bell founder Roy Richter formed his first helmet out of fiberglass and named it the “500.” Bell’s new Custom 500 pays homage to Richter’s original design while adding modern protective technology and DOT certification to bring the design up-to-date. Digg it.

[Bell Custom 500 Silver Metal-flake, shot at The Bonneville Salt Flats by: Brandon Schrichten]

Surely it was only a matter of time before The Crew @ Dime City Cycles picked up a few of these Custom 500′s and put them through the ringer and we have to say, the results are fantastic! After testing them on the Bonneville Salt Flats, wide open spaces of the South Western and South Eastern US and the tight city streets of St. Petersburg, FL in both the hot and cold we can tell you, these are the real deal genuine article folks! The Custom 500 Series fits like a glove and the level of quality is bar-none best in class. Whether it be the silk quilted woven interior padding or anodized ultra-durable snaps ready and willing to accept vintage or new Bubble shields, you’d be hard pressed to find a better choice when it comes to protecting your noggin for the money.

[Bell Custom 500 Silver Metal-flake, shot at The Bonneville Salt Flats by: Brandon Schrichten]

With 12 models to choose from ranging from simple and classic like Black or White to a bit more dramatic in the Metal-flake region the Custom 500 line has a helmet for everyone. Tipping their hats to the custom world, Bell even offers custom models designed by Roland Sans or Skratch, the world famous pin-striper. Every 500 helmet leaves the line inspected and test for safety guaranteeing it’s DOT approval and ability to protect you when it counts the most.

And how about the prices? Ranging from $99.95 to $139.95 you’d be crazy to pickup an off brand knock-off 3/4 helmet from eBay or some old helmet someone died in at a swap meet. Don’t get us wrong, those true-grit authentic old helmets are nice, but have you ever thought about what happens when 30+ year old fiberglass hits the pavement? Yeah…POOF! Not good, Ace! Better leave those on the shop wall for display..

Staying true to grassroots style, here’s a fun little video clip of Skratch and Cherry Dollface working together to create some of the authentic marketing materials that go along with the authentic Custom 500 line of helmets. Kudo’s to Bell for producing some fun-loving video that showcases the classic art of speed!

How great was that? Golden Girls aside though, we know there is one major determining factor when buying a vintage style 3/4 helmet. How big is it on my head? Everyone seems to be concerned with the “giant beacon” that their head becomes when a 3/4 lid is thrown on top. There are dozens of other companies out there who’ve come to the rescue over the years and have produced a lower profile version of the famous 3/4 helmet with great success and because Dime City is always looking out for you, we compared a few of them below in bright and shiny color so you can see for yourself.

Pictured from left to right:  1) Joe King JK Mini, the smallest helmet you can purchase today, Non-DOT approved. 2) Joe King JK400, slightly larger than the mini but has snaps for Bubbleshields, Non-DOT approved. 3) The DOT approved Silver metal flake Custom 500. 4) The Biltwell Hustler DOT approved 3/4 helmet and 5) The Biltwell Mega-flake Non-DOT approved. helmet. In looking at the comparison you can see it’s really not that much bigger than the Biltwell Mega-flake which has become the defacto industry standard for 3/4 open faced helmets. Not too shabby on Bell’s part, eh? And we can confirm, you don’t look like a bobble head with a Custom 500 on. Trust us, we’re just a conscious as you are.

Oh and by the way, did we mention that Dime City Cycles now has the entire Custom 500 line available along with Bell’s retro 3 button shields? That’s right, who loves you? Checkout Bell Helmets boutique section today by [CLICKING HERE] and snag a new lid to add to your collection. If you’re like us, we bet you’ll have a hard time taking it off. And stay tuned, there’s a full in depth review of the Custom 500 on it’s way too!

Just in time for the cold weather folks! Biltwell Bubble shields are now available through Dime City Cycles! Pair them up with a bandanna or leather Davida face mask and you’re guarenteed a substantial amount more comfort when riding in the winter months. And for those you in Tahiti, they look cool as hell even if it’s hot so grab your’s today!

They come in four different variants; smoked gradient, red gradient, clear and full smoked. The best part? They don’t smell like vomit! Some of you might be reading this thinking to yourself “What on Earth are they talking about?” Well, we’ll fill you in…if you have the luck of picking up an old stock bubble shield from a swap meet chances are it’s going to smell like recycled PBR and Taco’s on the sidewalk in front of your favorite dive bar. Nothing like breathing that in at 100+ MPH… YUM!

Fortunately the guys at Biltwell went the distance and used proper and new plastics in the formation process of these delightful numbers and the result is pure pleasure when riding! So snag your’s today by [CLICKING HERE] and just say no to vomit!

Calling all Metal-flake junkies and progressive ton-up terrors looking to push the envelope!  Biltwell is digging in deep for the Dime City Cycles Grand Opening Event coming up this May and boy are ya’ll lucky!  They’ve sent down two killer Mega-flake helmets along with some awesome shop/garage banners for the raffle! Digg it!

Here at Dime City we prefer boutique brands that give back to culture.  Whether it be through donating gear for events for our Grand Opening or just simply staying true to the real motorcycle riders needs.  In Biltwell’s case, they cover both. The raw and gritty aesthetic that is Biltwell with their rock solid 1″ Clubman bars, Mega-flake helmets and cool usable products like their all weather Moto gloves speak to a generation of riders that isn’t defined by Chopper, Bobber or Cafe Racer genres. Rather by those who really ride vs. those who sit on the sidelines and talk about riding.

Forged out of necessity for quality products for quality folks, Biltwell has been a leader in providing top shelf kit for those looking to hop up their Sporty or vintage V-Twin as well Metric and British bombshells of different flavors.  From their Exhaust builder kits to all the cool t-shirts and swag items they offer the attention to the needs of the real rider are always in focus.

And did we mention they get out and ride too? Sponsoring events and participating in runs is a huge part of the Biltwell lifestyle folks and we should all take note of it. Were it not for guys like them paying attention to and contributing to the needs of the smaller niche crowds we’d all be stuck running around in Arai helmets with number 1 shirts.

So come out to the Dime City Cycles Grand Opening on May 14th and not only get a chance to win a free Bitlwell Mega-flake helmet, come and experience a brand that actually cares about the direction of motorcycle culture more than making a buck!

A big thanks goes out to Mike D from Biltwell and Matt & Dean from DICE Magazine.  You guys rock the casbah! Thanks for the sweet banners which are proudly on display in the garage amidst our collection of old band posters, Chuck Norris posters and old Davida posters.

If you guys haven’t already take a look at Biltwell’s kick-ass products…there’s nothing like them.  We’ve got an entire section dedicated to them on the site for that very reason.  As for DICE, well, it’s not a magazine.  It’s collectors item!  http://www.dicemagazine.com/ check it out and buy a subscription today.  We’ll have them loaded up in stock soon here at DCC as well!