Biker's bell?

**road king** · 19th October 2008, 11:15

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** · 19th October 2008, 11:25

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.

**MSTRS:Me** · 19th October 2008, 11:30

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

**mctshirt** · 19th October 2008, 11:41

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

**James Deuce** · 19th October 2008, 12:02

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

**Katman** · 19th October 2008, 14:23

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** · 19th October 2008, 14:44

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** · 19th October 2008, 14:52

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** · 19th October 2008, 15:00

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

**slofox** · 19th October 2008, 15:13

Originally Posted by road king

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.....

**portokiwi** · 19th October 2008, 15:17

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

**Katman** · 19th October 2008, 15:19

http://www.gremlinbells.com/

**Hitcher** · 19th October 2008, 15:44

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.