The bell. . .
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 728
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn NYC
The bell. . .
The bell. . .
Can someone explain to me the history of “the bell” you hang on your scooter?
I understand you are not supposed to buy it yourself, it must be givien to you as a gift, but where did this all start? Who has the first bell?
First I heard of it this past weekend. . . . .
Can someone explain to me the history of “the bell” you hang on your scooter?
I understand you are not supposed to buy it yourself, it must be givien to you as a gift, but where did this all start? Who has the first bell?
First I heard of it this past weekend. . . . .
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
RE: The bell. . .
Here's one version of the legend and purpose of the bells.
http://www.helmetsetc.com/legend-bell.asp
http://www.helmetsetc.com/legend-bell.asp
RE: The bell. . .
Here's another version:
"As we all know, life has many mysteries that have no apparent solutions. One of these is Evil Road Spirits. They are the little gremlins that live on your bike. They love to ride. They're also responsible for most of your bike's problems. Sometimes your turn signals refuse to work, or the battery goes dead, the clutch needs adjustment, or any of several hundred other things go wrong. These problems are caused by Evil Road Spirits.
Road Spirits can't live in the presence of a bell. They get trapped in the hollow of the bell. Among other things their hearing is supersensitive. The constant ringing of the bell and the confined space drives them insane. They lose their grip and eventually fall to the roadway. (Have you ever wondered how potholes are formed?) The bell has served its purpose.
The best place to put these is as low to the ground as possible. Don't give the Spirits a chance to get on your bike. On the front forks or the front part of the frame is a great place for a bell.
If you have picked up a bell of your own, the magic will work. But if your bell was given to you, the power has been doubled, and you know that somewhere you have a special friend helping to look after you.
So if you have a friend that doesn't have a bell, why not be the person to give them one? It's a nice feeling for the recipient to know you personally cared. The bell, plus a good preventative maintenance program by the bike's, owner will help eliminate the Evil Road Spirits."
"As we all know, life has many mysteries that have no apparent solutions. One of these is Evil Road Spirits. They are the little gremlins that live on your bike. They love to ride. They're also responsible for most of your bike's problems. Sometimes your turn signals refuse to work, or the battery goes dead, the clutch needs adjustment, or any of several hundred other things go wrong. These problems are caused by Evil Road Spirits.
Road Spirits can't live in the presence of a bell. They get trapped in the hollow of the bell. Among other things their hearing is supersensitive. The constant ringing of the bell and the confined space drives them insane. They lose their grip and eventually fall to the roadway. (Have you ever wondered how potholes are formed?) The bell has served its purpose.
The best place to put these is as low to the ground as possible. Don't give the Spirits a chance to get on your bike. On the front forks or the front part of the frame is a great place for a bell.
If you have picked up a bell of your own, the magic will work. But if your bell was given to you, the power has been doubled, and you know that somewhere you have a special friend helping to look after you.
So if you have a friend that doesn't have a bell, why not be the person to give them one? It's a nice feeling for the recipient to know you personally cared. The bell, plus a good preventative maintenance program by the bike's, owner will help eliminate the Evil Road Spirits."
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
Banned
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 6,982
Likes: 1
From: Polygamy Plains, Utah
RE: The bell. . .
Years ago, the ride bell had an actual meaning. Decades ago when Sturgis was known as the "Jack Pine Races", when you paid your entry fee you were given a little brass bell on a ribbon to pin onto your shirt or whatever similar to the plastic and paper wristbands they have today that show you paid your way in
Most folks threw them away on their way home but some kept their bells and when they broke down or were stranded, they would give the bell to the biker that stopped to help them out and that rider would hang the bell on his bike to show that he had been a good Samaritan and helped out a fellow rider in need.
Over the years the original meaning has been lost and now there's lots of stupid stories that the bells will ward off gremlins, pot hole devils, back luck, and almost guaranteeing that if you die in a wreck you'll end up "upstairs". There are dozens of stupid legends that have popped up to get you to buy one and stuff somebody elses pocket with your hard earned cash.
Most folks threw them away on their way home but some kept their bells and when they broke down or were stranded, they would give the bell to the biker that stopped to help them out and that rider would hang the bell on his bike to show that he had been a good Samaritan and helped out a fellow rider in need.
Over the years the original meaning has been lost and now there's lots of stupid stories that the bells will ward off gremlins, pot hole devils, back luck, and almost guaranteeing that if you die in a wreck you'll end up "upstairs". There are dozens of stupid legends that have popped up to get you to buy one and stuff somebody elses pocket with your hard earned cash.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 8
From: Dogtown, Oakland, CA
RE: The bell. . .
ORIGINAL: LRonHoover
Years ago, the ride bell had an actual meaning. Decades ago when Sturgis was known as the "Jack Pine Races", when you paid your entry fee you were given a little brass bell on a ribbon to pin onto your shirt or whatever similar to the plastic and paper wristbands they have today that show you paid your way in
Most folks threw them away on their way home but some kept their bells and when they broke down or were stranded, they would give the bell to the biker that stopped to help them out and that rider would hang the bell on his bike to show that he had been a good Samaritan and helped out a fellow rider in need.
Over the years the original meaning has been lost and now there's lots of stupid stories that the bells will ward off gremlins, pot hole devils, back luck, and almost guaranteeing that if you die in a wreck you'll end up "upstairs". There are dozens of stupid legends that have popped up to get you to buy one and stuff somebody elses pocket with your hard earned cash.
Years ago, the ride bell had an actual meaning. Decades ago when Sturgis was known as the "Jack Pine Races", when you paid your entry fee you were given a little brass bell on a ribbon to pin onto your shirt or whatever similar to the plastic and paper wristbands they have today that show you paid your way in
Most folks threw them away on their way home but some kept their bells and when they broke down or were stranded, they would give the bell to the biker that stopped to help them out and that rider would hang the bell on his bike to show that he had been a good Samaritan and helped out a fellow rider in need.
Over the years the original meaning has been lost and now there's lots of stupid stories that the bells will ward off gremlins, pot hole devils, back luck, and almost guaranteeing that if you die in a wreck you'll end up "upstairs". There are dozens of stupid legends that have popped up to get you to buy one and stuff somebody elses pocket with your hard earned cash.
freakin awesome!
i always thought of the whole bell bs as the "pet rock" fad of motorcycling, but it just _wont go away_.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From:
RE: The bell. . .
Well my story from way back in the old school days is you put the bell on so if someone moves as( trys to steal )your bike you hear it...and you come and do what you gotta do...WACK !! SMACK!!
LOL !....
LOL !....
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,826
Likes: 87
From: Cookson, Ok
RE: The bell. . .
Neighbor recently bought a Repo'd and crashed 01 Sportster. The little dangling bell was still in good shape I guess because it was mounted real low and out of harm's way and not that noticeable to the parts scavengers.