Joey Dunlop 1983-84 race-worn Arai helmet, the black and yellow full-face, un-vented design bearing Arai logos top front and either side, still fitted

Joey Dunlop 1983-84 race-worn Arai helmet, the black and yellow full-face, un-vented design bearing Arai logos top front and either side, still fitted with its original visor, the yellow hinge screws since replaced with black (one now lacking its head), some loss of gel coat to the back due to accident damage, the full lining concealing Snell (1980) number A 0873470 and Arai serial number labels, the inner foam padding with some deterioration, sold with a letter of provenance (2) With 26 TT victories to his name, Joey Dunlop became a road racing legend during his own lifetime. In 2005 he was voted the fifth greatest motorcycling icon ever by Motor Cycle News readers, five years after his unfortunate and untimely death in Estonia at the age of 48. This helmet was purchased at an impromptu auction held in the TT paddock on the Isle of Man, immediately after the 1986 races. Thought to be in aid of a fellow competitor's family, following his tragic death after colliding with an errant pony during the Senior race, it was donated as no longer being useable for racing, having been slightly damaged in a previous accident. It is thought that this was the first helmet to carry the distinctive black symmetrical outlines either side the central stripe and visor opening, which soon became recognised as Joey Dunlop's personal trademark. Unbeknown to the purchaser, his 15-year-old daughter subsequently wore it in junior motocross, having removed the red and blue 'HCS' Honda Racing label beneath the visor and erased the black 'Downtown Radio' sponsor's lettering between the parallel outlines on either side. To further enhance her own racing colours, she also substituted black visor screws for the original yellow plastic ones! After a year or so, it was then put away in a cupboard where it has remained until just recently.