I’ve always heard the gremlin bell only works if someone gives it to you. For me it’s always been a tradition. Someone you know gets a bike, you give them a bell as a gift. I think it’s a neat tradition. My uncle bought his first Harley this year and I promptly went and got him a bell. I don’t know if they work, I don’t really care, I think it’s a great way to have a tradition.
i've heard same. now i just recently bought my first harley, and the other day while swapping out for an extended brake lever, i noticed there is already a bell from prior owner of the bike. is the bell nullified as it was prior owner, or is gremlin juju transferable?
Waiting to make a left turn into a driveway I was struck in the rear by a "TD" doing 40+mph, bike went stage left I went over the handlebars face first on the asphalt to then be run over by same vehicle which drug me 15-20 ft. before it shit me out! Result= Broken neck, both shoulders separated, broken scapula, broken clavicle that required surgery, damage to carotid artery requiring surgery, 4 broken ribs, 3 fingers nearly severed, ear tore half off, 14 teeth knocked out, 40+ stitches & staples in head, TBI. Doctors and Police concluded had I been wearing a helmet I would not have had the clearance to come out from under the car and been drug to death! Whew! That said, I concur that the bells won't protect you from "TEXTING DRIVERS".
I have an 05 soft tail deluxe twin 88b with vance n hines, yanked out the baffles because i believe loud pipes, along with good rider skill, saves lives. I cant expect em to see me, so they gotta hear me from a block away. Ride safe brothers keep the rubber down, much love
@Recipr0city those older bikes especially the evos are wayy louder then the new efi ones like mine. Even with straight pipes I know an evo when I hear it lol. Someday I’ll have an old chopper with a built 80 inch evo
My father told me years ago about pilots in WW2 placing bells in the cockpits of their fighters and bombers. It was believed gremlins would make airplanes crash and the bells would scare them away. I think after the war was over many pilots carried on with this tradition until we have what is known as a "gremlin bike bell" today.
Good friend told these legends and explained one has to be given to you. He mounted the bell on my bike. I pulled out of my driveway and the bell dented my front fender, due to where he put it. I took it off and threw it into the field across the street and that was the end of gremlins for me.
Fact, as much as you think, it's ok. I tried it a few times, and I must say I came close to dumping my bike dam near broke my leg, saving me from going down.bikes and alcohol don't mix .
Everybody has their thing my good luck charms are a set of brass knuckles and a snap out baton .Always keep them on the bike ain't had no problems but I've got a great guardian angel and I pay attention to the gut feeling I get from him.Never doubt that inner voice you hear it will save your life.
I love this video. I'm a harley tech myself and there need to be more videos like this so regular joes can learn a little bit about what's going on in Harley history and evolution. Make more please.
Never buy a bell for yourself. Have one given to you as a gift. I have 3 of them. I like to think they have saved my life many times. We ride and we ride hard. Thank you bells
I lost my bell having it low near the ground on my 48, and lost it on the road, a few months later i was nearly killed on that bike by getting cut off doing 45. My new bike, I have it up high on my brake line so I don't lose it, I truly believe the good faith it brings me. I have my own take on it though, but love the other stories as well.
There is legit psychology behind this. I have a few too many often, but every time I get my bike off the stand I hear two bells. One from my wife, and the other my 5 year old daughter got me. Every time they ring I think of them and it prevents me from doing stupid shit. That's why it has to be given to you by someone who cares about you. You buy your own its just another accessory, but as a gift you connect it with those who mater in your life and how you might want to see them again. May not be needed for everyone, but for a fuck up like me it works.
Back in the late 1980’s the story I was told that when the bell rings, it knocks the gremlins off, and it only works if the bell is given. I once purchase a bell, hung it from the right foot peg. Under a year it was stolen, while at a bar and the thief was another Harley rider.
I have a bell on my bike, it carried over from the previous owner. The story I was always told is that it's a custom that carried over from WW2 pilots who worried about gremlins that would affect aircraft carrying over to affecting bikes. Another custom that some who were pilots will do along with the bell is finding a bolt that is somewhere not critical and keeping that bolt loose. The gremlins will be too busy messing with that bolt to mess with the rest of the bike.
The legend is old, back to the days of horse drawn wagons driven by Teamsters (occupation title, not the union). Teamsters would keep the bells on their wagons for good luck, same as us. Or to keep bears out of the cargo? But if a teamster was stuck or broke down, he had to give up his bells to who ever helped him get back on the road, since the bells didn't work for him anymore. Ever hear "I'll be there with bells on"? It's a pretty strange saying until you know where it came from!
I went in to a store in the mountains of Colorado this last weekend. I found a bell that I liked. It was 15 bucks. The owner at the counter asked me if this bell was for my bike and I said yes, and that I'd give it to a friend and he could gift it back, keeping with tradition. He wrapped it up and said "here, take it, NO charge". I was a little surprised and said "really", and he said "yeah, you don't want to mess with these kind of things". The next day, I lost air in my front tire going 75 down the interstate right after a large SUV almost ran me off the road. I was able to ride the Road King up and off the rap, across a bridge and in to a motel parking lot. It was quite the struggle, but I did it. So..........
@JP1970 I just had a parts guy at a local dealership buy and put one on my bike for me! I had recently totaled a motorcycle and he had a nasty accident on his sport bike that same week! When he gets his bike rebuilt, I’ll return the favor!
52 two years without ever hitting the ground and although I cannot say my bell was partially responsible, it was given to me 45 yrs. ago and since health issues have forced me to give up motorcycle riding, it now hangs from under the front bumper of my truck.
My sister gave me a bike bell a long time ago.She has since passed away but I always knew what it was for. I put it on my Harley now it means so freaking much
SGS15 Love all the gremlin stories. I have 2 bells on my Street Glide. One my wife gave me and the other one I gave to her. Been very lucky that we have not had any thing happen while on the road. Ride hard, ride free!!
This is one of the best short videos to explain the bell. It's a cute story thinking you can hear a tiny bell over the sound of the bike. Haha none of you heard the bells. Just admit that and keep the rest of the story please.
We use them as a welcome to the motorcycle family. Its a way to honor them. We find ones that are personal. It does take some getting use to, I kept thinking something was loose.
I have had a bell on my 2003 Harley Road King since it was provided to me by a friend at the time in 2004. Your last explanation was the reason it was provided to me at the time and your explanation mimicked his to me. I have had no issues, but don't truly believe in much superstition other than keeping the same dice that leave/tossed off the craps table when rolling well....lol.
Bells actually go back to the days of covered wagons going across the prairies in early America. you would start off with a number of bells (different stories have different numbers) and if you needed help on the way you would give a bell to the one who helped you. A wagon for sale would be worth less with less or no bells. Some historians believe it goes back further but there is no real documentation.
Funny story. Mine had a bell. Put on by previous owner. Pulled it off to put on a oil cooler put it back on ..... had a smash lol. Must have upset the bell. Lol
Was given a gremlin bell once, put it on the bike I had. It was a white sportster, first brand new vehicle I ever owned. After putting it on I had more troubles with people in traffic, and stupid odd things than ever before.... got ran over on that bike. Still have the bell but it will never go on another bike, nor will I ever put one on a bike again.
My 73 XLCH came with a bell and I showed it to my cousin who has his own bike repair shop. He gave me a bell to put on my Fatboy so now both bikes have a bell.
I've never been able to hear any of those bells. My poor old ears. I never heard of them till ten or twelve years ago. I settle for a Cross behind the front mud flap.
youve got to be the most honest harley tech ive ever seen. out here in colorado they push that shit so hard trying to sell bells and will tell ya if ya dont get one youll run into trouble. my response is always wheres your HD brand tin foik hat dude lol. love your videos keep em coming.
I bought a bell for my Dyna, it's a gremlin in a cage LOL. I actually put aquarium sealant in my bell so it wouldn't ring, I don't want the noise but I want the bell!
Each time I've been down I didn't have a bell on my bike. Since adding the bells I've had more then a few close calls but always pulled through. That said if given a bell I will always put it on my bike.
Wherever the story comes from-remember this-if you buy a bike with a bell on it or in my case a friend gave me a bell don't change the bell with out an elaborate ceremony to change it much like you would for changing the name of a boat. 12 years ago was my 50th year riding Harleys with no mishaps and my Street Glide had a bell given to me by a riding friend. Then I met a FINE FINE woman and she gave me a bell from her-naturally I changed it. In the next 15 months I had two injury crashes with cars both pulling out in front of me. The bike was traded and my new Street Glide has had the same bell ever since from that Fine Woman. Later on she was traded too but the bell is still with me. Keep, the damn bell or follow strict rules for change.
I do like the story with the bell on the left side of the swing arm. Not a big believer of the gremlin theory though. Years ago a bell was given to me and I put it on my dyna. I week later it left me stranded with no previous notice. (Battery died ) well I tossed the bell, and never replaced it.
I bought my bike, it had one. Cut that thing off. I was told someone else has to put it on. My angel rides a Vrod. She definitely can keep up with me! Of course official bells are sold at the dealership.
I heard my bell ringing on my Sportster when I realized I didn’t have one. It was the exhaust manifold working itself loose (again) If I had a bell I would have ignored this warning sound.
Ol lady secretly snuck one of those onto my bike shit drove me nuts trying to figure where that noise was coming from while sitting at the light.Yanked that shit right off
I received a bell from a friend and it came with the history (story) of the origins of the bell. In the realm of things, Harmony and Mayhem don't mix. The bell, when it rings, promotes Harmony. In turn, this keeps Mayhem at ear shot away from your bike. It's just like the wind chimes. The theory is that the sound a wind chime make brings Harmony to the Home, keeping Mayhem away. You either believe or you don't. I believe Harmony works for Me. I like the added sound, along with the whistle my bad ass exhaust makes...I've got a 96 FLHTP.
Seriously, you could have taken the reigns from Casey Kasom years ago and I think even the most hardcore fans of the top 40 countdown, would have been ok with it. You have the most soothing voice I've ever heard!
@@HillaryMarek ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a relaxing, often sedative sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the body. Also known as "brain massage," it's triggered by placid sights and sounds such as whispers, accents, and crackles.
147000 KMs on my 2010 Fat Boy Lo,Spent 15k on it in Dec 2017,Back to the mechanic n onto the Dyno late Jan 2018,6 days later a giant buck Ozzy Western Grey Kangaroo collided with me causing 10 K damage,the roo lived ,bike was returned via trailer from mechanics shop 106 days later,After 126 days,I received medical clearance to ride n drive!A gremlin bell with a US Army tank on it helped save me life !!Live To Ride Ride To Live
when I bought my RG it was used and had a bell up in the handle bar area. Everyone said its in the wrong place. I said that's where it was when and I bought it and I'm leaving it there.
Gremlins are simple little things that happen. Kinda like Shit... it just happens. The bell is nothing more than a rabbits foot, but looks cooler. The stories are made from those who carry a Rabbits foot/Bell. The Story is nothing more than just a reason why. In this messed up world we live in, I say .... Why Not? Every little thing helps. Piece of mind. I was given one by a Great Friend. And like a Dumb Ass i let it go with my old Bike because i forgot to take it off. Now im waiting and really Hoping one of my other buddies will give me another one. Not holding my breath on that. Great videos Doc. Thanks for all the great Advice!
In 2005 I had a deer jump out from behind a bridge at night. I was running about 60. Hit the deer broad side, my Wife was on behind me, slapped us to the pavement. I don’t know how we were so fortunate to only end up with skins and scapes. When the Harley got out of the shop after being rebuilt, my Sister in law bought us a bell. I’m on my third new Harley since 2005 with the same bell that has travelled 115,000 miles, and haven’t hit a deer since.
I'm sorry... great video... but I lost it when he accidentally said, "Low Country Harley-Davidson Cervix Clinic..." My wife heard it too, and she also thought it was hilarious 😂
Not sure if the bell works but why chance it. Beside to give the bell is a sign that someone cares enough about you to want to keep you safe. Thanks Doc
I worked at a "old School" HD shop in Dayton, Ohio for a time. The owner was a great guy and one day he came to the parts counter and said "come here I want to show you something." He took me to the very large warehouse that was attached to the race shop. In the back against a wall were all of the crashed bikes waiting for repair. There must have been ten of them. The owner asked me, "what do all of these cycles (as he called them) have in common. They're all wrecked was my reply. He said "I know that. Look closer." I plead ignorance and he finally pointed out to me that every single one of the crashed bikes had a friggen gremlin bell on it. Every single one. I have never put a bell on any bike I have ever owned just because of that .
A good friend of mine got a bell for his bike. I thought it was foolish but whatever. Well he hung the bell from the bottom triple tree and when he hit a bump the suspension compressed and put a large dent in his front fender. Luckily a paintless dent remover guy was able to fix his fender.
My bell was given to me by the bell maker, that is, the manufacturer of bells to trap evil road spirits. He said the power of the bell works only when the bell is given to you. My was given to me in a small black velvet bag with a drawstring. It is there under my '03 Road King and I think nothing of it except it's doing its job.
I've owned several metric bikes and had no idea about the bell. Then I went Harley and that's when I was told about getting a bell, before I left the dealer. So it's not arrogance
I have owned 2 harleys..Harleys.. buying my 3rd..it has a bell for fishing underneath.. I was thinking I might just leave it on as it isn't hurting nothing..and I fish once a week anyway
Unfortunately I’ve scraped the bottom of my Harley a couple of times so I didn’t want anything lower to the ground. I have mine attached to one of the plug wires connected to the frame. It hangs there nicely.
I don’t believe in Gremlins but I do have one on my bike. It has the image of Jesus Christ and the holy cross. Now that I do believe will keep me safe.
It is the Religiousness of men that nullifies the Word of God..I ain't Steve Wonder but there's too much Superstition in the Air. www.fireandhammer.com
Wyatt Smith don’t worry yourself with such things then. The day you die you will find out for yourself, but I’m afraid it’ll be too late for you. Have a nice life.
Ting ting ta ting ting ta ting Oh no here comes the Hells Angels Nah just kidding have had one for years on different bikes got one now on my Breakout a gift from my grandson so far so good
I've had one on any bike I have ever had, And If I sold the bike, I let it go with it..... I've come close a time or two , Down once many years ago.... But I got up and & Road the bike home. But missed couple weeks work due to messed up ankle...... I think I was just a little ahead of my Angle , When the Truck pulled out in front of me, I've never road faster then My Angle after that!
