Moon Eyes

ratdeal · Dec 5, 2015

Hey guys,

I thought I'd change it up a bit. The endless Rossi threads are getting tiresome!

Anyway, a number of Japanese riders have a pair of what I understand are known as 'moon eyes' on their helmets. I don't think they are related to the US's Moon Eyes brand. In fact I read recently they symbolise graduation from a Japanese motorcycle school.

In anycase, does anyone know the significance, and if so why a pair of eyes?

Arrabbiata1 · Dec 5, 2015

ratdeal said:
Hey guys,

I thought I'd change it up a bit. The endless Rossi threads are getting tiresome!

Anyway, a number of Japanese riders have a pair of what I understand are known as 'moon eyes' on their helmets. I don't think they are related to the US's Moon Eyes brand. In fact I read recently they symbolise graduation from a Japanese motorcycle school.

In anycase, does anyone know the significance, and if so why a pair of eyes?

John Cooper - also the first to get his knee down contrary to the belief that it was Saarinen

Keshav · Dec 5, 2015

Arrabbiata1 said:
John Cooper - also the first to get his knee down contrary to the belief that it was Saarinen

Cooper did not in fact originate the Moon Eyes decal. Cooper raced in the '60s and '70s, when in fact the Moon Eyes logo was designed by Dean Moon when he started his California based speed equipment company that sold aftermarket parts to drag racers. Moon Speed Equipment was founded in 1950. I remember that logo so well. I grew up in the golden age of Hot Rods and every hot-rod guy in my neighborhood had Moon Eyes stickers and Hurst shifter decals on their cars and "glass-packs" were the rage for loud exhausts.

Talk about synchronicity - I happen to be wearing one of Dean's t-shirts as I'm typing this.

ratdeal · Dec 5, 2015

Nice t-shirt!

But whats the connection to the Japanese riders? Or is it something completely unrelated?

BarryMachine · Dec 5, 2015

Kato was into this:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manga_iconography

and since his death some have adorned their helmet with the eyes as a sign of remenberence. ( eg. Col Edwards )

ratdeal · Dec 5, 2015

Mystery solved!

Soup :: The Eyes Have It :: 01-19-2012

Arrabbiata1 · Dec 6, 2015

Keshav said:
Cooper did not in fact originate the Moon Eyes decal. Cooper raced in the '60s and '70s, when in fact the Moon Eyes logo was designed by Dean Moon when he started his California based speed equipment company that sold aftermarket parts to drag racers. Moon Speed Equipment was founded in 1950. I remember that logo so well. I grew up in the golden age of Hot Rods and every hot-rod guy in my neighborhood had Moon Eyes stickers and Hurst shifter decals on their cars and "glass-packs" were the rage for loud exhausts.

Talk about synchronicity - I happen to be wearing one of Dean's t-shirts as I'm typing this.

I didn't know about Dean Moon, but did know Cooper was significant in popularising the logo in bike racing which was derived from sources predating the Japanese. Thanks for the insight.

ratdeal said:
Mystery solved!

Soup :: The Eyes Have It :: 01-19-2012

Good read - good thread.

Keshav · Dec 6, 2015

ratdeal said:
Nice t-shirt!

But whats the connection to the Japanese riders? Or is it something completely unrelated?

Post WW2 the Japanese were emphatically adopting and affecting many facets of American culture, especially, you have to recall, because there were many American troops stationed in Japan. And this has never really gone away. Baseball is huge in Japan, and you wouldn't believe how many Japanese Blue Grass bands (really good ones) there are. Same with Jazz. Many jazz legends who can barely make a buck here in the States, come home with big bankrolls after their tours in Japan.

bh84 · Dec 7, 2015

Thats cool, might have to get that added to my goalie mask when I get it painted

Dr No · Dec 7, 2015

ratdeal said:
Mystery solved!

Soup :: The Eyes Have It :: 01-19-2012

Thanks for that. I always thought it was some Japanese racing club motif, didn't realise it was attached to a parts manufacturer.
A limited edition Nakano mooneyes Arai in Blue was the only race rep lid I've ever considered buying....

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