Metallic Motorcycle Helmets
The Metallic Leaf collection is Hedon's hand-leafed work: metallic motorcycle helmets finished with sheets of metal leaf laid onto the shell by hand, burnished, then sealed under lacquer. It's the oldest decorative finish we use and the slowest, drawn from gilding and signwriting rather than automotive paint. Seven finishes on the Hedonist open face and the Heroine Racer full face, all made to order and all certified to ECE 22.06 or DOT.
How the Leaf Finish Is Applied
There's no shortcut to this one. The process runs roughly like this:
- The shell is prepared and a size coat is applied, which is the adhesive layer the leaf grips to.
- Leaf is laid on in sheets by hand. The sheets are thinner than paper and tear if handled quickly, so this stage sets the pace.
- The surface is burnished, and the joins between sheets are worked until they read as one surface.
- Lacquer goes on in layers to seal and protect the leaf, then the shell is cured.
Because the leaf is laid by hand, the pattern of joins and the depth of the burnish differ on every shell. Two helmets in the same finish won't be identical, which is the point.
Every helmet in this collection carries the same ECE 22.06 or DOT certification as the rest of the range. The finish is decorative and sits over a shell built to the same safety standard as any other Hedon helmet.
Safety Above the Finish
Solid metal outer shells aren't used in modern motorcycle helmets, and for good reason. Metal doesn't flex or absorb crash energy the way a composite shell does. The Metallic Leaf collection is a decorative leaf finish over Hedon's standard composite fiber shell, not a metal shell. Certification is tested on the finished helmet, so the leaf finish doesn't affect the safety standard the helmet meets.
Made to Order: What to Expect
These aren't stock items. Each helmet is started when you order it, and hand-leafing can't be rushed without the finish suffering. Current lead times are confirmed at the point of order, so contact us before you buy if you need it for a specific date.
Confirm your size before ordering, because a made-to-order helmet can't be exchanged the way a stock one can. Measure around your head about a centimeter above your eyebrows and check the Helmet Size Chart. If you're between sizes, contact us first.
Caring for a Leafed Finish
The lacquer does the protecting, so look after the lacquer and the leaf underneath stays intact.
- Wipe with a soft damp cloth and dry it off. No solvents, no alcohol wipes, no polish compounds.
- Keep it in the bag it arrives in. Leafed surfaces mark more easily than flat paint if they knock against buckles or zips.
- Avoid leaving it in direct sun for long periods, which ages any lacquer over time.
For a full care routine that applies to any Hedon helmet, see ourMotorcycle Helmet Replacement and Care guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hand-leafed metallic motorcycle helmet?
A hand-leafed metallic motorcycle helmet is a helmet finished with sheets of metal leaf laid onto the shell by hand, burnished, then sealed under lacquer. The technique comes from gilding and signwriting rather than from automotive paint. Because each sheet is placed by hand, the joins and the depth of burnish differ on every shell, so no two helmets are identical.
How long does a made-to-order metallic helmet take?
Hand-leafing is measured in workshop days rather than hours, and each helmet is started when the order is placed. Current lead times are confirmed at the point of order, so contact us before you buy if you need it for a specific date. Delivery times may vary depending on the finish and helmet model.
Is a leafed metallic helmet as safe as a painted one?
Yes. The leaf is a decorative finish applied over the same composite fiber shell we use across the range, and every helmet in this collection carries ECE 22.06 or DOT certification. Certification is tested on the finished helmet, so the finish doesn't change the safety standard it meets. Solid metal shells aren't used in modern motorcycle helmets because they don't absorb crash energy effectively; Hedon's Metallic Leaf collection is a decorative finish over a certified composite shell.
Can I have a custom leaf design made?
The Metallic Leaf collection holds our current made-to-order finishes. For anything beyond these, our custom service is the place to start, where you can work through shell, finish, and trim options directly. Contact the workshop for lead times on custom builds.
How do I clean a metallic leaf helmet?
Use a soft cloth, barely damp, and dry it afterwards. Don't use solvent cleaners, alcohol wipes, or polishing compounds, because they'll cut into the lacquer that protects the leaf. Store the helmet in its bag rather than loose, since leafed surfaces mark more easily than flat paint.
