Gremlin Bell

[Top Cat NJ]

Many here know what a Gremlin Bell is and have one hanging on their 5 plus motorcycles leaning in their garage  , but at 64, I never heard of them, if you're like me, this is the legend of the Gremlin Bell, "Legend has it that a small bell attached to your motorcycle, close to the ground, catches the evil road spirits. The little gremlins living on your motorcycle causing all kinds of mechanical problems. The cavity of the bell attracts these evil spirits, but the constant ringing drives them insane and they lose their grip and fall to the ground." A friend gave this to me as a Xmas gift, it also had US Army and its insignia (I served 74-77) on the bell, it was such a thoughtful gift. I thought I'd share.

[Bret SD]

Many here know what a Gremlin Bell is and have one hanging on their 5 plus motorcycles leaning in their garage  , but at 64, I never heard of them, if you're like me, this is the legend of the Gremlin Bell, "Legend has it that a small bell attached to your motorcycle, close to the ground, catches the evil road spirits. The little gremlins living on your motorcycle causing all kinds of mechanical problems. The cavity of the bell attracts these evil spirits, but the constant ringing drives them insane and they lose their grip and fall to the ground." A friend gave this to me as a Xmas gift, it also had US Army and its insignia (I served 74-77) on the bell, it was such a thoughtful gift. I thought I'd share.

I have one on each bike, given me by my girl, they have more power when received from someone who cares for you.. allegedly..

[John Schmidt]

Yup, they're considered indispensable by most. It doesn't work if you buy it for yourself, has to be given to you as was your case. I lost mine off my old bike so starting out naked with the trike. Judging by the mechanical issues I'm finding getting it ready to meet MY expectations, the trike has never had one. 

[klb]

I had never heard of them myself until I bought my second Valkyrie
from a guy in Kingsport Tennessee in 2010. His Dad was a rider in a
group there after he came back from the war. One of his riding friends
gave him a bell to put on his bike and he kept the same bell on
whatever bike he owned. When he gave up riding he passed it on
to his son.
When I went up to buy the Valkyrie before loading it on the trailer
he remembered the bell and started to take it off then said well my
Dad passed it on to me I will pass it on to you and leave it on the bike.
I thought that was pretty nice of him.
It looks old for sure.


When I bought my 2001 my son gave me one for it. He knew
the story about the bells from the one on my 1999.

[Chrisj CMA]

My bell broke off on my last ride. I’m so glad I’m not superstitious     

[Jess Tolbirt]

it originated for the cowboy days. when crossing the country in a covered wagon if someone broke down you stopped and helped them out and give them the bell off of your cow. this represented good luck that they would have no more break downs. not sure of the year when the present story started.

[Rams]

Hmm 

Had four gifted gremlin bells on my 02 Valkyrie.   They might work for mechanical gremlins but, I can assure you, they don't do squat for oncoming cages intent to occupy the same space you're in.     Nor do they seem to care about things that puncture tires but, that may be a design flaw.   

Transferred those that survived to the 99 Orange and Black Valkyrie I'm now riding. 

Rams 

[0leman]

I have two bells, one on each crash bars, both given to me by other folks.  Loss one last spring in a ice related lay down.  My middle daughter heard about the loss and new bell came within  a week.  I had given one to her when she got a new to her Shadow 1100 two years ago.

Had a guy ask me while gassing up Valk if they worked or not.  Just shrugged shoulders and said didn't know for sure.   Told him the old fat lady had over 100k on her and still ticking.   

[John Schmidt]

In my rather docile high school years those bells served a different(and sometimes painful) purpose. Our various athletic programs had internal clubs much like a fraternity and with comparable initiation requirements. One of those involved a little bell similar to the gremlin bell. You were first required to remove your underwear for the day and tie the bell to your junk, done in the presence of senior club members. Then run a string from said bell under your clothes and up to a point about chest high, where it exited through a button hole. It had to protrude at least 3-4" and have a "pull me" sign attached. Obviously the female classmates at the time knew the purpose of the string & sign and often the "pull" was more of a "yank" and done on purpose. When pulled, the front of your jeans or trousers would jump and the bell would jingle, followed by hilarious antics by the ladies(?) in attendance. This usually took place in the busy hallways for all the world to see. As if that wasn't bad enough, if any members of the cheerleading squad wanted to become an "honorary" member of the group, as part of their initiation they were required to attach the bells to the male applicant. Again....all done in the presence of the senior club members. I found it rather amusing in the weeks that followed because the level of attention(+/-) a person got from female classmates seemed to be a direct result of the "attaching" ceremony. I'm guessing certain information was shared by the "honorary" applicants. For some, the ringing of the bell most certainly brought good luck. Although I did become a member, I refused the attaching ceremony requirements of cheerleader applicants. Since the guys knew where I stood on certain issues they allowed it but still had to do the bell thing for the day. That was an experience that stayed with you for the next 4-5 days, depending on how often and hard the bell was rung. 

And we think stuff the kids do today is crazy. 

[Davemn]

Superstitions and conspiracy theories seem to go together here.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Superstitions and conspiracy theories seem to go together here.

well, not entirely. I have a bell, and I'm not particularly superstitious. I just didn't see riling up the VooDoo gods by removing one. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

In my rather docile high school years those bells served a different(and sometimes painful) purpose. Our various athletic programs had internal clubs much like a fraternity and with comparable initiation requirements. One of those involved a little bell similar to the gremlin bell. You were first required to remove your underwear for the day and tie the bell to your junk, done in the presence of senior club members. Then run a string from said bell under your clothes and up to a point about chest high, where it exited through a button hole. It had to protrude at least 3-4" and have a "pull me" sign attached. Obviously the female classmates at the time knew the purpose of the string & sign and often the "pull" was more of a "yank" and done on purpose. When pulled, the front of your jeans or trousers would jump and the bell would jingle, followed by hilarious antics by the ladies(?) in attendance. This usually took place in the busy hallways for all the world to see. As if that wasn't bad enough, if any members of the cheerleading squad wanted to become an "honorary" member of the group, as part of their initiation they were required to attach the bells to the male applicant. Again....all done in the presence of the senior club members. I found it rather amusing in the weeks that followed because the level of attention(+/-) a person got from female classmates seemed to be a direct result of the "attaching" ceremony. I'm guessing certain information was shared by the "honorary" applicants. For some, the ringing of the bell most certainly brought good luck. Although I did become a member, I refused the attaching ceremony requirements of cheerleader applicants. Since the guys knew where I stood on certain issues they allowed it but still had to do the bell thing for the day. That was an experience that stayed with you for the next 4-5 days, depending on how often and hard the bell was rung. 

And we think stuff the kids do today is crazy. 

Man, John. My High School experience was a lot different than yours  There weren't (and ain't gonna be) no dudes tying a string around my wanger.

[Serk]

Superstitions and conspiracy theories seem to go together here.

well, not entirely. I have a bell, and I'm not particularly superstitious. I just didn't see riling up the VooDoo gods by removing one. 

Hell, I'm a militant Agnostic Atheist, and all my bikes, and any bike ridden by someone I love or care for, has a bell on it...

I recently upgraded most of them to this little beaut I found on Amazon:

[The emperor has no clothes]

Superstitions and conspiracy theories seem to go together here.

well, not entirely. I have a bell, and I'm not particularly superstitious. I just didn't see riling up the VooDoo gods by removing one. 

Hell, I'm a militant Agnostic Atheist, and all my bikes, and any bike ridden by someone I love or care for, has a bell on it...

I recently upgraded most of them to this little beaut I found on Amazon:

That's a good bell.  but I'm afraid you've negated all of its special powers by purchasing it.  (you aren't that militant)

[Serk]

]That's a good bell.  but I'm afraid you've negated all of its special powers by purchasing it.  (you aren't that militant)

Nope, I purchased the ones going on "not my bikes" and got others to purchase the ones going on "my bikes"... I know the rules!

[klb]

Dragon for a Dragon. Not superstitious but it can't hurt anything.

[Jess from VA]

I almost never hear mine (stock exhaust).

The one time I was hearing it, I thought there was something wrong with my bike and it drove me nuts, for awhile.  Poking the throttle, braking, listening.  Well, crap.    

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Many here know what a Gremlin Bell is and have one hanging on their 5 plus motorcycles leaning in their garage  , but at 64, I never heard of them, if you're like me, this is the legend of the Gremlin Bell, "Legend has it that a small bell attached to your motorcycle, close to the ground, catches the evil road spirits. The little gremlins living on your motorcycle causing all kinds of mechanical problems. The cavity of the bell attracts these evil spirits, but the constant ringing drives them insane and they lose their grip and fall to the ground." A friend gave this to me as a Xmas gift, it also had US Army and its insignia (I served 74-77) on the bell, it was such a thoughtful gift. I thought I'd share.

I have one on each bike, given me by my girl, they have more power when received from someone who cares for you.. allegedly..

I wouldn't ride to the mailbox without one. Absolutely worthless if you buy your own must be given by a loved one or friend.

[John Schmidt]

In my rather docile high school years those bells served a different(and sometimes painful) purpose. Our various athletic programs had internal clubs much like a fraternity and with comparable initiation requirements. One of those involved a little bell similar to the gremlin bell. You were first required to remove your underwear for the day and tie the bell to your junk, done in the presence of senior club members. Then run a string from said bell under your clothes and up to a point about chest high, where it exited through a button hole. It had to protrude at least 3-4" and have a "pull me" sign attached. Obviously the female classmates at the time knew the purpose of the string & sign and often the "pull" was more of a "yank" and done on purpose. When pulled, the front of your jeans or trousers would jump and the bell would jingle, followed by hilarious antics by the ladies(?) in attendance. This usually took place in the busy hallways for all the world to see. As if that wasn't bad enough, if any members of the cheerleading squad wanted to become an "honorary" member of the group, as part of their initiation they were required to attach the bells to the male applicant. Again....all done in the presence of the senior club members. I found it rather amusing in the weeks that followed because the level of attention(+/-) a person got from female classmates seemed to be a direct result of the "attaching" ceremony. I'm guessing certain information was shared by the "honorary" applicants. For some, the ringing of the bell most certainly brought good luck. Although I did become a member, I refused the attaching ceremony requirements of cheerleader applicants. Since the guys knew where I stood on certain issues they allowed it but still had to do the bell thing for the day. That was an experience that stayed with you for the next 4-5 days, depending on how often and hard the bell was rung.  

And we think stuff the kids do today is crazy.  

Man, John. My High School experience was a lot different than yours   There weren't (and ain't gonna be) no dudes tying a string around my wanger.

Rob, go back and read it again. It wasn't dudes doing the tying, it was members of the cheerleading squad(females) that wanted to become honorary members of the "club." If none of those were available, you tied it on yourself which is what I did...I didn't care for the female assist. Only one guy was dumb enough to call me a candy-ass, a prude, and a pansy....or similar. It was in the field house at the football stadium, I looked around the room, nodded my head and everyone left and closed the door leaving just the two of us. I was the only one that made it to practice (or classes) the next few days. Funny how that worked out.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

In my rather docile high school years those bells served a different(and sometimes painful) purpose. Our various athletic programs had internal clubs much like a fraternity and with comparable initiation requirements. One of those involved a little bell similar to the gremlin bell. You were first required to remove your underwear for the day and tie the bell to your junk, done in the presence of senior club members. Then run a string from said bell under your clothes and up to a point about chest high, where it exited through a button hole. It had to protrude at least 3-4" and have a "pull me" sign attached. Obviously the female classmates at the time knew the purpose of the string & sign and often the "pull" was more of a "yank" and done on purpose. When pulled, the front of your jeans or trousers would jump and the bell would jingle, followed by hilarious antics by the ladies(?) in attendance. This usually took place in the busy hallways for all the world to see. As if that wasn't bad enough, if any members of the cheerleading squad wanted to become an "honorary" member of the group, as part of their initiation they were required to attach the bells to the male applicant. Again....all done in the presence of the senior club members. I found it rather amusing in the weeks that followed because the level of attention(+/-) a person got from female classmates seemed to be a direct result of the "attaching" ceremony. I'm guessing certain information was shared by the "honorary" applicants. For some, the ringing of the bell most certainly brought good luck. Although I did become a member, I refused the attaching ceremony requirements of cheerleader applicants. Since the guys knew where I stood on certain issues they allowed it but still had to do the bell thing for the day. That was an experience that stayed with you for the next 4-5 days, depending on how often and hard the bell was rung.  

And we think stuff the kids do today is crazy.  

Man, John. My High School experience was a lot different than yours   There weren't (and ain't gonna be) no dudes tying a string around my wanger.

Rob, go back and read it again. It wasn't dudes doing the tying, it was members of the cheerleading squad(females) that wanted to become honorary members of the "club." If none of those were available, you tied it on yourself which is what I did...I didn't care for the female assist. Only one guy was dumb enough to call me a candy-ass, a prude, and a pansy....or similar. It was in the field house at the football stadium, I looked around the room, nodded my head and everyone left and closed the door leaving just the two of us. I was the only one that made it to practice (or classes) the next few days. Funny how that worked out.  

oh 

[lakehunter]

Many here know what a Gremlin Bell is and have one hanging on their 5 plus motorcycles leaning in their garage  , but at 64, I never heard of them, if you're like me, this is the legend of the Gremlin Bell, "Legend has it that a small bell attached to your motorcycle, close to the ground, catches the evil road spirits. The little gremlins living on your motorcycle causing all kinds of mechanical problems. The cavity of the bell attracts these evil spirits, but the constant ringing drives them insane and they lose their grip and fall to the ground." A friend gave this to me as a Xmas gift, it also had US Army and its insignia (I served 74-77) on the bell, it was such a thoughtful gift. I thought I'd share.

I have one on each bike, given me by my girl, they have more power when received from someone who cares for you.. allegedly..

I wouldn't ride to the mailbox without one. Absolutely worthless if you buy your own must be given by a loved one or friend.

Must be from a loved one or close riding friend ... brother got me one with a very apt inscription, Never ride faster than your guardian angle can fly !

Thought that might fit ya Joe, hav'nt seen you guys in a long time, hope to get back on the road some this year if this dang covid crap blows over. Wishing a safe and happy new year to everyone !!!
Mike

[Robert]

I have found that it is always better to go to the boss if there is a problem.

I ride with the the King.

 No evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.

I love the story though and it was a very thoughtful gift from someone who cares and know how to show it.

[dconstruct55]

Great information,
I have never heard of "Gremlin bells" I recently purchased a 2006 Goldwing and noticed some odd, intermittent  ringing noises. Went over the bike with the proverbial fine toothed comb, (Don't need one for my hair anymore) and even a mirror. Finally found a cursed bell tied to the accel cable below the grip. The PO was an MC officer and the bell said "Police" on it. I guess given all of this info I will put the thing back on, but lower on the bike so it can do it's thing.

[John Schmidt]

I have found that it is always better to go to the boss if there is a problem.

I ride with the the King.

No evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.

I love the story though and it was a very thoughtful gift from someone who cares and know how to show it.

Psalms 91 I believe!