Biker's bell?

[road king]

found this on wikipedia. anyone herd of anything like it?



Biker's bell

The Biker's bell - also guardian bell, ride bell, or gremlin bell - is an urban legend among some motorcycle enthusiasts. Like many pieces of folklore, it has several variations with elements common across all versions. Essentially, a small bell is hung from either the handlebar or the front wheel and serves as a device of mystic protection.
There are many websites that describe the legend of the biker's bell. Some of the pages are of private enthusiasts, others are of online community representatives, and yet other web sites containing the legend are of retailers of motorcycle equipment and accessories. There are even companies that specialize in selling these curious artifacts.


Tales

One version describes a rider ambushed by evil road spirits or demons that force him to crash. Unable to move, presumably from an injured leg, the unfortunate biker threw whatever he could get his hands on at the approaching demons, emptying the contents of his saddlebags in the process. Having run out of impromptu projectiles, a small bell was found. Deciding to ring the bell, rather than throw it, he inadvertently summoned a pair of fellow motorcyclists from some distance, who saved him from certain death. The biker thanked his rescuers by giving each of them one of those little bells.
This leads to the moral of the story: "So when ever you see a biker with a bell you'll know that he has been blessed with the most important thing in life -- friendship from a fellow biker."
A second story of the biker's bell begins by describing evil road spirits that haunt motorcycles, causing mechanical failures. The bell serves as a trap, forcing these spirits into the hollow of the bell, where the constant tinkling drives them mad. Insane, the spirit falls to the ground, causing a pothole where it lands. While a powerful protective fetish in its own right, the bell's potency is doubled when given to the rider by a friend or loved one.
Finally, the bell can be used as a memorial to fellow motorcyclists who have passed away. While cleaning the bell of tarnish and dirt from the road, one is reminded of one's fallen comrades. Also, the ringing of the bell while riding is meant as a reminder that the rider that he can join his fallen brethren with but a moment's carelessness.

[martybabe]

:laugh: No, I've been riding for 347 years in half a dozen countries and never heard of anything like it, I have seen some bikes for sale with all the bells and whistles though, maybe that's it. :rolleyes:

[MSTRS]

Sounds like some cager trying to explain bikers who have that 'spidey' sense.

[mctshirt]

I've been ambushed by evil road spirits or demons that forced me to crash (can't have been my fault) :laugh:

[James Deuce]

The ringing bell will certainly help me identify the correct direction in which to aim at a crash site.

[Katman]

I have a number of customers that have them on their bikes. Even had one offer to buy me one for my bike.

I told him I'd HTFU instead.

[Conquiztador]

Cats are fitted with a small bell so they can't sneek up on birds.

Graves used to be fitted with a bell and a string down to the coffin so that if a person was buried alive he could ring the bell. Hense the "saved by the bell"

Ships used to have a bell they would ring when in thick fog so other ships would know they were there.

But this "bikers bell" is news to me. But too late for me now. And I don't think she would have worried about a bell anyhow.

[Maha]

Knew a chick up this way who had a 750 Shadow with a bell on it, we (and her) never knew what it was there for..now we do! It was underneath on the frame just behind the front wheel.

[Katman]

And yes, I believe the idea is that they are meant to be given to you rather than being bought by yourself.

[slofox]

found this on wikipedia. anyone herd of anything like it?

"Insane, the spirit falls to the ground, causing a pothole where it lands."

Well there must have been millions of loony spirits falling down where I was riding today.....:2guns:

[portokiwi]

:shit: are you sure its not push bike bell for safety???
I still perfer the floro chopper flag. NOW THAT WAS COOL with the high bars and banana seat:Punk:

[Katman]

http://www.gremlinbells.com/

[Hitcher]

We were given a Bikers Bell by motorcycling friends whilst in the USA. It's hanging on Mrs H's Bandit. I suspect that these things are a Harley or cruiser phenomenon, as it's nigh on impossible to find a place to hang one on a faired bike.

[Big Dave]

<ten char> Bikers? </tenchars>

[scumdog]

I've been ambushed by evil road spirits or demons that forced me to crash (can't have been my fault) :laugh:

Maybe it was the 'skid demon'??
The ones that follows the 'tootling with vigour'...

[Ocean1]

Insane, the spirit falls to the ground

Noooooo, not the bell!!!

Anything but the bell!!!

<_<

[woodboats]

Yep, Gremlin Bells.
They ward off evil spirits that attach themselves to your bike.
You need to mount them as low as possible on the bike so the spirit falls off.
If you buy one yourself they work but their power is doubled if someone gives you one as a gift.
Mostly a North American thing.
Me? I am not superstitious and would not bother to ever have one.

[outlawtorn]

I dig em, plan to buy some for my mates when the money comes round, I think more of the thought of giving a protective kinda gift is cool, whether you believe in it or not, at least your mate is looking after your best interests.

[The Lone Rider]

Heard of them, and plan on getting one.

They are way old school.

Lots of places that sell pewter ones.

Im North American.. of course it's an old folklore biker thing.

[Hailwood]

Yep, folklore but I have one on my bike...I like it and that's all that matters..

[Swoop]

Certain bars are known to have a bell hanging somewhere within reach of the patrons.

Go ahead. Ring it and make a lot of new friends...:done:

[Okey Dokey]

Well, you learn something new every day. Never before have I heard of biker bells. Very strange; an example of an unusual superstition. Love the idea of demented demons becoming potholes!

BTW, I always thought saved by the bell had something to do with boxing, ie the bell rings just in time for someone to escape a knockout..

So I guess that's TWO things learned today. And it is only 8:50

[nodrog]

ive seen brand new harleys with them fitted

http://www.harleymotorcyclesblog.com/2007/November/Get-a-Guardian-Bell-for-your-Harley-Davidson-Motorcycle-.htm

[GaZBur]

Much safer than the Guardian bell is the Guardian shipping crate. Attach one of these to your motorcycle and it is protected from not only evil sprirts but from all sorts of damage. After fitting one of these to your bike you have my personal money back guarantee that you will not be involved in a high speed crash on the vehicle protected. Send no money now - just PM email me your account and PIN number.

[JohnR]

Ewan McGregor was given one by a well wisher for Long Way Down. :ride:
He found it in his boot :eek:
I don't know if the evil spirit got out :devil2: but he had to drill holes in his boots so maybe it kept biting him...:eek5:

[Swoop]

ive seen brand new harleys with them fitted

http://www.harleymotorcyclesblog.com/2007/November/Get-a-Guardian-Bell-for-your-Harley-Davidson-Motorcycle-.htm

Legend has it that Evil Road Spirits have been latching themselves on to Harley Davidson Motorcycles for as long as there have been bikes on the road. These Evil Road Spirits are responsible for mechanical problems and bad luck
You mean it doesn't have anything to do with the bike OR the rider?:scratch:

[wickle]

Somebody came up with a way to relieve others of they dollars!

[Motu]

A mate of mine had a couple of little brass bells on his bike back in the mid '70's,so they have been around for some time - maybe come back into vogue with the trendy cruiser scene.

[Bonez]

When I was a little bitty boy
My Grandmother bought me a cute little toy
Silver bells hanging on a string
She said it was my Ding a ling a ling

Oh my ding a ling, Everybody sing
I wanna play with my ding a ling a ling
Oh my ding a ling, my ding a ling
I wanna play with my ding a ling a ling

When I started Grammar School
I used to stop off in the vestibule
Every time that bell would ring
I'd take out my ding a ling a ling

Oh my ding a ling, Everybody sing
I wanna play with my ding a ling a ling
My ding a ling, my ding a ling
I wanna play with my ding a ling a ling

Humpty dumpty on the wall
Humpty had an awful fall
When they went to tell the king
Caught him playing with his ding a ling

Oh my ding a ling, my ding a ling
Come on now everybody sing
My ding a ling, my ding a ling
I wanna play with my ding a ling

(Oh yeah, Got something to it)

I remember the girl next door
We used to play house on the kitchen floor
I'd be king, she'd be queen
Together we'd play with our ding a ling a ling

My ding a ling, Oh my
I wanna play with my ding a ling a ling


When they took me to Sunday School
Tried to teach me the golden rule
But every time the quire would sing
Catch me playing with my ding a ling

Oh my ding a ling, my ding a ling
I wanna play with my ding a ling
My ding (That's right), my ding a ling
I wanna play with my ding a ling a ling

This here song, it ain't to sad
Cutest little song you ever had
Those of you, who will not sing
You must be playing with your own ding a ling

Oh my ding a ling, my ding a lin (Come on now, Come on now, Everybody sing)
Now my ding a, oh my ding a
I wanna play with my ding a ling

[fliplid]

These kinds of things have been around for centuries- literally, for example Scandinavians and other European types used to hang bells and other ringing metal accoutriments from their horse/cart harness for warding off "evil spirits" as well...

[Forest]

Why is is that most American traditions seem to involve buying something :scratch:

[Hitcher]

Why is is that most American traditions seem to involve buying something
Unlike New Zealand traditions that involve spending money?

[slimjim]

:baby: so if been a maori...:rolleyes:..i'll use a bit of greenstone an shoe lace...would it ward off any ya's palefaces.....:drool:..O Dear..:lol:

[Conquiztador]

:baby: so if been a maori...:rolleyes:..i'll use a bit of greenstone an shoe lace...would it ward off any ya's palefaces.....:drool:..O Dear..:lol:

Swap ya for a blanket... :laugh:

[Gremlin]

Yep, Gremlin Bells.
someone ring? <_<

gremlins are normally nasty little buggers causing chaos...

[phantom]

A few years ago I ran the Gold Coast Marathon and a large proportion of the entrants were Japanese. ( JAL the japanese national airline is a major sponsor ) It appeared half of them had bells attached to their shoes apparently for good luck. You have no idea how annoying it is to struggle along for 42.195km with a constant jingling around you:chase::Oi:

[slimjim]

Swap ya for a blanket... :laugh:...


:blank:..gota a musket...? instead...quicker than covering a Moa with a blanket..:msn-wink: