A little history about novelty helmets
Novelty Helmets have been around for ages. Rumor has it they were first built in Daytona Beach by "Shotgun", a local biker and fiberglass craftsman. Soon after a few other hard working types started to build them in their garages and sell them in bars, rallies, flea markets & swap meets. Back in the day you could pick up an American Made Novelty Helmet from one of these guys in the Daytona area for 40 bucks or so if memory serves.
Anywho... the first style ever built was the Novelty Eagle pictured left. Very popular for a long time and is still the best selling novelty helmet on the market followed closley by the Jockey or Polo pictured right. But soon the fickle biker longed for a more expressive form of the Skid Lid and the local manufacturers being the inovators they were soon came up will all kinds of new designs, colors, spikes, chrome, airbrushed, horse tails and even elk or water buffalo horned novelty helmets.
So, out of demand the novelty helmet manufactures of which there were three or four buy this time came up some new designs & sytles. The Big German style proved incredibly popular as did its' little brother the Little German. It wasn't uncommon to see couples with matching hats like the Big & Little Germans. there's still something weird about that but I can't quite put my finger on it yet...
Other styles followed quickly and became popular as well, the Smokey is still popular with the big heads. However if you need a bowling ball bag for a hat, and you know who you are, the Mongo is the way to go as it's usually available in XXXL and bigger.
Like spikes? Then novelties just might be for you! These guys have been putting spikes on everything you can imagine for as long as you can imagine. Sometimes I think they do it just because they like to drill holes in stuff, it could be just that simple. But thank Zeus for that eh? Cause this gave us the.... TA DA! Kaiser!
Now here's a style that I love, the Duck Tail. But good luck finding it anymore. I thing the only two guys that were making these shells went out of business (saddenz!) It started out an Eagle then the sides were ground down to come up over the ear giving it a unique look. Small and light! Just what a novelty helmet should be.
OK, so you're old school, well then how about the EZ-Rider. The original beanie barely covers your head and looks... well... old school. I always liked this hat. But, if you go this way DO NOT get one with a visor. They look like crap! While we're on the subject, a few of these style are available with visor snaps that will accommodate a standard 3-snap bubble visor or flat visor or face shield. IMHO the Novelty Eagle & Smokey look great with a bubble visor on them. I would stay away from the full face shields however as you will look like you belong on a moped instead of a cruiser! That would be bad...
WARNING
While novelty motorcycle helmets may seem to afford some protection, be advised that they are not DOT approved for use on a motorcycle or other motorized vehicle, on or off the road, and is only to be used for novelty or display purposes. It is not intended to be used as or considered to be safety equipment.