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Don't Throw Away That Used Chain, Make a DIY Helmet Rack

It's funny to see how many uses creative people can find for bike parts that are out of commission, or even salvaged from totaled bikes. And since a helmet rack is one of the important household objects in the home of a rider, here's a neat idea that will add a most stylish piece of bike-themed furniture to your decor.
Chain helmet rack by Threepence 11 photos
Photo: Threepence
Chain helmet rack by ThreepenceChain helmet rack by ThreepenceChain helmet rack by ThreepenceChain helmet rack by ThreepenceChain helmet rack by ThreepenceChain helmet rack by ThreepenceChain helmet rack by ThreepenceChain helmet rack by ThreepenceChain helmet rack by ThreepenceChain helmet rack by Threepence
One of the downsides of being a rider is finding the best place to leave your helmet when you get home. People who live in big houses are maybe spared from having to solve such problems, as they most likely have plenty of room in the lobby or the garage.

However, if your house is not that big or if you live in a flat, things can get a bit iffy. Helmets are not heavy, but they are usually bulky, especially if we think about modular or full-face ones, sport and motocross lids included. Even more, you'd want to keep the helmet in good condition, avoiding bumping it against furniture, so cramming it each time in a tight locker is to be avoided, if possible.

A "dead" chain is the savior

You can craft a good-looking helmet rack using a segment from a used common motorcycle chain. Or you can even use a longer piece to craft a rack with a coat or gloves hanger and make everything even more functional.

The structure can be attached directly to a wall or to a wooden plank finished in your favorite color or oiled to show off the wood grain. D-rings or hooks can be fitted to hang your keys with or without a carabiner.

Crafting this rack is fairly easy. In order to find the right arch to accommodate your helmet or helmets the best way possible, you can use a piece of metal wire. You will bend it inside the helmet(s), thus copying the inner shape and obtaining a template.

The chain must be thoroughly cleaned with special products to eliminate all traces of lube, grime, dirt and of course, to get rid of the smell. Wearing a helmet that will leave your hair impregnated with the smell of chain grime is definitely not the most stylish of choices, is it?

If you don't own a welding machine, you'll have to take the chain segment and the template to a local workshop. For practicality, you'd better copy the shape of the bent wire onto a piece of paper. Wire gets bent easily and you're back to square one in finding the right shape for the rack. On the other hand, "scripta manent" (Latin for "what is written endures"), and you can fold the paper in your pocket or wallet and still retain the right bending shape.

A guy at the workshop will add small welding points to each link of the chain after shaping it the right way. It's time for one more cleaning/ wire brushing session and fixing it to your wall.

Or, if you don't want to get your hands dirty or aren't exactly a skilled craftsmanship, you can always get such a cool rack from Threepence and they'll gladly personalize it for you to some degree, as well. Also check out these pieces of motorcycle art.
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