Folklore has it that the bell is said to come from the orient where Evil Road Spirits plagued travelers. In today's beliefs, bike gremlins can attach themselves to your bike. Supposedly these "Road Gremlins" are responsible for most of your bike’s problems.  Sometimes your turn signals may refuse to work, or the battery suddenly goes dead, your wiring may short out, or any of a hundred other things might go wrong. These are just a few of the signs that you have a Road Gremlin, otherwise known as an Evil Road Spirit. 

It is said that Road Gremlins can’t bear the presence of a bell. The story goes, that the gremlins get trapped in the hollow of the bell.  It is also said that their hearing is supersensitive and the constant ringing of the bell and/or the confined space drives them insane. They lose their grip and eventually fall to the roadway. It is also said that the Road Gremlins have so much evil energy, that when they fall to the roadway they cause potholes when they hit. This shows that the bell has done it's job.

In ancient times, people of the orient believed that if you placed a bell on the lowest part of the cart the Evil Spirits would fall from the cart, and directly onto the roadway.   Since the Road Gremlin (Evil Spirit) could not bounce, it could not reattach itself to another part of the cart, or anyone else's. 

It is very important that a friend give you a bell.  The bell will have even more power if given by an experienced rider. In doing so, the power of the bell is enhanced greatly. Buying a bell for yourself will leave the bell weak, so don't buy your own!  When an experienced rider gives you a bell, he transfers some of his "experience" to the bell, providing you safe journeys.   The more experienced the giver, the stronger the bell's power.

Pass the good fortune and safe travels to others.  If you have a friend in need of a bell, be the person to give them one and pass on your experience, while showing them you care about them and their safety.  Don't forget to tell them about the "The Bell" so that they will understand and one day do the same for someone else. 

Note: I would like to recommend a good preventive maintenance program, along with the ownership of a bell, to insure safe travels, always. 

My husband has had a 1993 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail for the last couple of years. Before that, he had a kick-start 1972 Sportster. In our younger days, we rode frequently and I'd think my ears were ringing, then one day I saw the bell on his bike. He told me the story and I've believed it ever since. Age soon crept up on us and kick-starting soon became a problem, hence, the Softail. We're back to riding, and yes, he has his bell on this one too. About a month ago, he bought me my first motorcycle, so I can ride next to him. Ever the beginner, I've practiced and progressed well over the last month. My husband was in Oregon this past weekend for the Easyriders Centerfold Tour, he brought me home my own bell! It's distinct sound spoiled the surprise as he held it behind his back. Nevertheless, I have my own bell.
Thanks for the story on your website about the bell. It just makes it all the more complete!
Regards,
Wendi

I recently received this email and have copied it in it's entirety:

nice website... the term Legend of the Bell is a registered trademark of D'Pirate Distributing. the serial #76175966 and registration #2590947 with the United States Patent and Trademark office...please give credit or remove from site. thank you,
susan bean
owner, D'Pirate Distributing

Webmaster's response:
Please consider credit given, where credit is due.
***

Now, after I have given this much consideration and been advised by my non-lawyer friends, I've removed anything that might possibly "infringe" on Ms. Bean's trademark, unless she's trademarked "The Bell", also.