Out of date harnesses and helmets?

I have a growing pile of out of date harnesses and helmets that I would like to get rid of. I hate to just throw them out. Any thoughts on who I might be able to donate them to?  Thanks.

Unless things have changed you used to be able to have harnesses rewebed.

Helmets, the group I autoX'd with kept some old helmets for visitors to use.

Out of date harnesses are fine for autox and as long as they're in decent condition should be OK for track days.

Out of date helmets can be used for some autox groups.  Failing that, they're sometimes useful for helmet painting practice if you know anyone who likes to do that.

L5wolvesf said:

Unless things have changed you used to be able to have harnesses rewebed.

Helmets, the group I autoX'd with kept some old helmets for visitors to use.

Fewer and fewer companies seem to be doing re-webbing. 

CROW does

Racequip, g-force, and pyrotect do not. 

In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :

Out of date harnesses aren't ok for track days.  They won't pass NASA or PCA tech for instance. Out of date helmets aren't permissable with PCA Auto-x either, not sure about SCCA.   At an open day where there is no tech inspection?  Yeah, maybe...

Helmets can be used on motorcycles and snowmobiles  also

In reply to iceracer :

or around the house. Never know when the wife is likely to throw a hard or sharp object at me. 

On occasion I've used old harnesses in various locations to strap stuff down but for the most part I strip the hardware and then pitch them.

The cost of rewebing is almost as much as the bargain harnesses.

On old helmets if they have a special paint job I hang them in the Garage-Mahal, otherwise in the bin they go.

Why one earth would you use your old helmet for motorcycle riding.............it's old for God's sake

Our resident shrugging emoji rally guy used old harnesses as spare tire tie downs. Maybe you know someone with a rally car or something that wants to do the same?

docwyte said:

In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :

Out of date harnesses aren't ok for track days.  They won't pass NASA or PCA tech for instance. Out of date helmets aren't permissable with PCA Auto-x either, not sure about SCCA.   At an open day where there is no tech inspection?  Yeah, maybe...

Of the 100+ track days I've attended over the last couple decades, I think the only one that ever asked about the expiration date on my harnesses was BMWCCA.  No, I haven't been to NASA or PCA.

The 5-year expiration period on an FIA belt is conservative, it doesn't magically become unsafe on the expiration date.  Sanctioning bodies have rules to set a standard, but if it's just a track day, the belts are in good condition, and you know how the belt has been treated (UV exposure, gasoline exposure, etc) then I don't see anything wrong with using it for some period after that point. I don't think I'd sell expired belts (liability) or buy them (because I don't know the history), but if I've got belts in my car that I installed 6 years ago, sure I'd run them at a track day that didn't care.

Last I checked, SCCA autox allows the current and 2 previous SA certs on helmets, whereas most track orgs only allow one previous cert.  So a helmet that's expired from track use is probably still good for SCCA autox for another 5 years.

TR7 (Forum Supporter) said:

L5wolvesf said:

Unless things have changed you used to be able to have harnesses rewebed.

Helmets, the group I autoX'd with kept some old helmets for visitors to use.

Fewer and fewer companies seem to be doing re-webbing. 

CROW does

Racequip, g-force, and pyrotect do not. 

Deist still does - http://deist.com/ 

From their catalog:

Many racing organizations have limitations as to the service life of the seat belts. Most require the units to be replaced every 2 years. Deist offers competitors an economical alternative...rewebbing. For a nominal charge, Deist will inspect the hardware and replace the old webbing on the seat belt with new webbing that meets or exceeds Mil-Spec Standards or the commercial equivalent. For latch-type systems, it is a great opportunity to have Deists exclusive Latch-Guard™ installed.

I like the idea of repurposing for non-car things. Family is getting into snowmobiling more and more- whereabouts are you located?

I could use a harness, maybe two.  

Out of date helmets can be used for fueling duties, they just need to be clearly marked.

In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :

NASA and PCA check.  I was the Tech Inspector for my local PCA region for 3 years and I totally agree with you on the FIA spec.  Especially since most of these cars are kept indoors and not run all that much.  I asked repeatedly for them to modify the rule and was told that since there's an expiration date on them, we have to follow that.

My harness got checked at a TNIA at NJMP in my Elise. It was out of date and tech inspector told me I had to run my stock 3 point seat belts and not my 6 points.

I use RJS Racing harnesses and they still do the reweb at about ~1/2 the cost of new. I have to do it every 2yrs (thanks NHRA) so the cost for a full replacement would add up really quick (camlock5 pt)

In reply to P3PPY :  Coumbia Maryland

fatallightning said:

My harness got checked at a TNIA at NJMP in my Elise. It was out of date and tech inspector told me I had to run my stock 3 point seat belts and not my 6 points.

NJMP is a little unique in that the safety enforcement is ultimately up to the state police from what I understand, so they are more strict about certain things than other tracks. 

Also, thanks for the pointers on other belt manufacturers that reweb, good stuff I didnt know before. 

In reply to loboroja1 :

Helmets - check with the local FD/EMTs. They may want to use them for Training/practice helmet removal. I know at one time years ago the EMTs at NHMS (Loudon) where looking for helmets for training purposes.

Am I correct that the companies that do harness rewebbing will not do any brands other than their own?

iceracer said:

Helmets can be used on motorcycles and snowmobiles  also

Came here to say this.  Plenty of states don't require helmets on 2 wheels, or don't care what the rating is.  I, for instance, live in PA which doesn't require helmets on MCs.  I don't wear one for puddle jumping on back roads at 25 mph, but I do wear one on the highway.... both for safety, and to prevent catching a bug in the eye.  So I'm not really going to care what the rating is.

They'll probably sell.  The few that I had did.  Do yourself a favor when you list them and include pictures with the rating.  Otherwise you'll get dozens of emails asking "is the yellow one snell 20xx?"

In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :

You can get a TBI just as easily puddle jumping at 25mph as on the freeway...

TR7 (Forum Supporter) said:

fatallightning said:

My harness got checked at a TNIA at NJMP in my Elise. It was out of date and tech inspector told me I had to run my stock 3 point seat belts and not my 6 points.

NJMP is a little unique in that the safety enforcement is ultimately up to the state police from what I understand, so they are more strict about certain things than other tracks. 

 

Also, thanks for the pointers on other belt manufacturers that reweb, good stuff I didnt know before. 

I've noticed that too. Like you have to have a Snell approved vs just a DOT helmet for any kind of HPDE. Long pants required. Open top cars require arm restraints. I may have just had an overzealous tech guy, he tried to broomstick me in the Elise, even though the tech rules count them as targas and not subject to it.

I just reread this thread.

How about putting on your old helmet and gear and practicing quick exits? Then you don't have to worry about banging up the "good" helmet.  Might as well paint a scratched face shield black, too.