Gremlin bell 'rules'
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,281
Likes: 3,418
From: Idaho Panhandle
They were not around in the 70s as I did not have one on my Sportster, the sales person gave me one for my 2006 Dyna that I bought new and when I bought my Trike, the sales person also gave me a bell. Guess it depends on the salesperson and the dealership.
Have a couple that friends have provided, guess it is just like gifting a get back whip to someone you respect or are a friend of.
Have a couple that friends have provided, guess it is just like gifting a get back whip to someone you respect or are a friend of.
Final bell remark. A ride bell or not makes no difference, zero, nada, in my life or riding. The only difference it makes is sitting on the throne, in the dark rainy morning with my first cup of coffee.
Last edited by son of the hounds; Feb 5, 2024 at 08:52 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 518
Likes: 397
From: So Western Ohio
The first biker bells I noticed were on chopped Arlen Ness Sportsters from the Bay Area, featured in chopper magazines in the 1970s. A gf I had (a rider too) hung one on my bike unbeknownst to me. She told me not to touch it. I'm not to fool with it. ?? whut?
It's a fun superstition and the little bells are conversation pieces, I guess. We're here conversing, aren't we.
It's a fun superstition and the little bells are conversation pieces, I guess. We're here conversing, aren't we.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,215
Likes: 3,044
From: St.Louis Mo.
I think i remember seeing bells on bikes back in the 70's and 80's in Easyrider Mag. I never had one, but have seen them on many bikes over the years.
Fun thing to buy your buds i guess, My friends would rather have me buy them a beer though.
Fun thing to buy your buds i guess, My friends would rather have me buy them a beer though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,281
Likes: 3,418
From: Idaho Panhandle
The first biker bells I noticed were on chopped Arlen Ness Sportsters from the Bay Area, featured in chopper magazines in the 1970s. A gf I had (a rider too) hung one on my bike unbeknownst to me. She told me not to touch it. I'm not to fool with it. ?? whut?
It's a fun superstition and the little bells are conversation pieces, I guess. We're here conversing, aren't we.
It's a fun superstition and the little bells are conversation pieces, I guess. We're here conversing, aren't we.
But its all fun until the roads are bare and dry.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,492
Likes: 30,780
From: Pennsylvania
History
A gremlin is a mischievous creature of folklore[7] used to describe malfunctions in aircraft in World War II (WW2) and later in other machinery from pilots and technicians.[1] A "Guardian Bell" or "Gremlin Bell" was sometimes used by British and American pilots in World War II, to ward off "gremlins". Roald Dahl.[8] World War II gave a big boost to the motorcycle industry when the U.S. military called on manufacturers Harley-Davidson and Indian to produce more than 100,000 motorcycles for the war effort."[9] When the American Veterans returned home many of them continued riding motorcycles and the use of the bell as a protection charm when riding a motorcycle.[10]This custom is still used by some motorcycle riders today, particular riders of Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles.[11][12][13][14]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_bell
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
Hey, I have one. My ex gave it to me years ago. Now that I think about it, maybe it needs to go considering who gave it to me. I swear she was trying to take me out before she was removed from my life insurance policies! 
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
Does it have a pin in it where your pain is?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,992
Likes: 6,894
From: NC
History
A gremlin is a mischievous creature of folklore[7] used to describe malfunctions in aircraft in World War II (WW2) and later in other machinery from pilots and technicians.[1] A "Guardian Bell" or "Gremlin Bell" was sometimes used by British and American pilots in World War II, to ward off "gremlins". Roald Dahl.[8] World War II gave a big boost to the motorcycle industry when the U.S. military called on manufacturers Harley-Davidson and Indian to produce more than 100,000 motorcycles for the war effort."[9] When the American Veterans returned home many of them continued riding motorcycles and the use of the bell as a protection charm when riding a motorcycle.[10]This custom is still used by some motorcycle riders today, particular riders of Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles.[11][12][13][14]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_bell
Lots of motorcycle legend stuff got carried over from the military veterans. I've been hearing about the "it was better before" stuff since the 1980s.
Last edited by Goose_NC; Feb 6, 2024 at 02:09 PM.