Let's see those bells!

[Laszlo]

 

[CiscoGoodDog]

You gotta let those road demons know your coming!

 

[BruceH]

A friend bought me my first bell at Laconia this year. Been riding since '89 but my first bell.

I would show a pic but I ground the damn thing off already..., on a Himmie even.

Bruce

 

[Gone in 60]

My wife is very sentimental, and gives me a bell every time I get a different bike, understanding the tradition that the bell only has power if it is given as a gift.
The bells on my other bikes have inscriptions that are very sentimental. One of them reads "Ride safe, I need you here with me."

Here's the one she ordered for the new Interceptor. Wonder if there's a message in there somewhere.

 

[SPORTY9]

My wife is very sentimental, and gives me a bell every time I get a different bike, understanding the tradition that the bell only has power if it is given as a gift.
The bells on my other bikes have inscriptions that are very sentimental. One of them reads "Ride safe, I need you here with me."

Here's the one she ordered for the new Interceptor. Wonder if there's a message in there somewhere.


View attachment 9074

Subtle message

 

[Laserman]

One of my brothers bought me this Guardian Bell with a Yin Yang symbol on it the second week after I bought my Himalayan. It's seen 17K miles worth of road grime.



I've bought several for family members and friends!

 

[Caspice]

Vegvisir. The way finder during foul weather.

 

[2LZ]

Since I bought two RE's in the last few months, one of my riding buddy's gave me a bell and said, "Put it on whichever you want."
The next day, I almost rolled my tractor on our hill. Serious butt-pucker moment. The bell now lives on my tractor. He was good with that.

 

[Hobbit]

Never heard of this, is it a tradition over in the US ?

 

[Woodstock]

Never heard of this, is it a tradition over in the US ?

Someone else will know where it originated but definitely a custom in the UK as well. Rest Day Rider commented on the bells in one of her early vlogs.

 

[Laserman]

Never heard of this, is it a tradition over in the US ?

It's a superstition thing, it's sposed to ward off the bad luck or "road gremlins" that may happen. I don't think they ward against flat tires (I've had 7 in 19 months, 19K miles), but I've never been seriously stranded with a bell-equipped bike.

 

[Splinter]

In Argentina we use red ribbons on the tails of bikes and cars to ward off the evil witches.

 

[Stig57]

Someone else will know where it originated but definitely a custom in the UK as well. Rest Day Rider commented on the bells in one of her early vlogs.

Probably yet another American idea imported by the Yoof. Never heard of them myself.

 

[Laserman]

Umm..no, definitely goes back to before America.

Probably yet another American idea imported by the Yoof. Never heard of them myself.

Maybe you're the Yoof

 

[Stig57]

I shall ignore the fact you quoted an advert at me. My point was that in the UK we don't attach bells to motorcycles and it isn't a recognised 'thing' like in North America.
Lucky charms are another thing entirely but tend to be carried on the person although I have seen bikes with mascots tied to various bits.

 

[Andy131]

Haven't seen bells on cars or motorbikes in the UK (or anywhere else for that matter), but I do wear a St. Christopher when riding, going to bet there are a lot stranger talismans about

 

[ChampRoyal]

I have seen bikes with mascots tied to various bits.

Guilty. Everything from oversized Poppies to PG tips Monkey

 

[Laserman]

I shall ignore the fact you quoted an advert at me. My point was that in the UK we don't attach bells to motorcycles and it isn't a recognised 'thing' like in North America.
Lucky charms are another thing entirely but tend to be carried on the person although I have seen bikes with mascots tied to various bits.

An advert that also quoted history. You can be as skeptical as you like and sniff what farts may be emitted as they are, but I say mind your snide comments towards my country. I also find it funny you attempt to speak for all Englishmen in the face of history that may or may not predate your own Stonehenge. Who's to say rightly when the first person attached a bell to something of theirs as a talisman? Neither of us will believe any answer one may offer for that, to do so is to be an ultracrepidarian.

You can toot your own horn as much as you want, your head only gets so big before you look full of hot air!

Edit: also I'm half Irish. Don't tell me about superstition!

 

[El_Guapo]

I have to be honest, I was tempted to post one of those "bull balls" hanging at the rear of a bike... but some may find that imprudent.
Yes, yes, like the red neck's pickups and stuff.
They look like bells though.
Now it's in your mind and you can't un see it.

 

[Stig57]

Laserman, I was not making snide comments about your country but apologise if I offended you. Since this has gone beyond civility I shall leave it there.