Superstitious – Are we as riders a superstitious lot? Certainly, I have visited the Fairy Bridge on the isle of Man in the past when at the TT racers go to greet the Fairies and say hello to be kept safe from bad fate.
Motorcycle racers have been recorded as having superstitious rituals or wearing an item of clothing or carrying a charm to keep them safe.
The well know ritual of Valentino Rossi to keep him safe sees him crouch down next to his bike band touch the footrest as if shaking hands with the bike before he gets on board and for some the unsettling sight of a man adjusting his underwear or what is contained there as he rides out on track.
Something that might also unsettle the neighbours as we ride down the driveway onto the road.
This would all appear to try to get lady luck and the good omens on your side but what about the darker side, those omens and spirits that are out to cause you mischief and harm?
Well step forward the legend of the Guardian Bell that protects riders from the evil road spirits.
The Legend
Like all legends, urban or folktale, the narrative takes various forms but comes from the “fact” that the when a Guardian Bell is attaches to the motorcycle it will ward off evil spirits.
“Legend has it that evil road spirits have been latching onto motorcycles for as long as bikes have been on the road. These spirits are responsible for mechanical problems and bad luck on a journey.
Legend goes on to say that, by attaching a guardian bell to your bike, the evil spirits will become trapped inside the guardian bell. There, the constant ringing will drive them insane, making them lose their grip until they fall to the ground.” – Urban Dictionary
According to www.guardianbell.com – “The Legend has it that Evil Road Spirits have been latching themselves on to motorcycles for as long as there have been bikes on the road.
These Evil Road Spirits are responsible for mechanical problems and bad luck along a journey. Legend goes on to say that by attaching a small bell onto your bike, the Evil Road Spirits will become trapped inside the bell where the constant ringing drives them insane, making them lose their grip until they fall to the ground. (Ever wonder where potholes come from?)
Legend also has it that the mystery of the Guardian® Bell carries twice as much power when it is purchased by a friend or loved one and given as a gift.”
The Biker Nation tells the complete story of the legend – “The story is told of an old grey bearded biker who, late one night, was headed home from a road trip to Mexico. In his saddlebags were gifts and trinkets for the kids that lived at the orphanage where he worked.
As he rode alone in the cool desert air, he felt blessed for his own life, the children at the home, his biker friends and most importantly his bike, that had never let him down.
He had spent many a mile on the highway with this bike and the two had formed a bond, as only bikers can understand.
As he rumbled along the high desert, the full moon lighted up the sky and silhouettes of the cactus cast eerie shadows along the desert floor, the old graybeard was unaware that a few miles up the road awaited a nasty little group of road gremlins, intent on its next victim.
Road gremlins are evil little creatures that leave obstacles in your path – old mufflers, pieces of rubber, boxes, diesel fuel, and unexplained objects you never see that cause a tire to go flat or a chain or belt to break.
They also chase animals and deer into the path of unsuspecting bikers.
Road gremlins sole purpose is to make a biker crash…adding notches to their little belts. They are evil and nasty little pieces of creation.
As the biker rounded the curve, the road gremlins ambushed him with everything they had, causing him to crash and skid. He awoke in the ditch, barely alive. Nearby was one of his saddlebags that had ripped off his bike.
The biker lay there, helpless and unable to move as the road gremlins began moving in to finish him off. The old graybeard wasn’t going to give up easily and started throwing things from the saddlebag at them. Finally, he had nothing left to throw but a tiny bell and he started ringing it…..not knowing if it would help, but he wanted to die thinking of the children at the home he would be leaving behind.
Surprisingly the sound of the tinkling bell seemed to confuse the gremlins, and they paused in their attack. The old biker was encouraged, but he was still in a bad way. He didn’t know how long the bell would keep the gremlins away, and the gremlins were between him and his bike with no way for him to make a fast getaway.
Not far away, two other bikers coincidentally had just stopped to make camp for the night. They were unaware of the crash, as they had been riding 30 miles or so behind the old biker and stopped before the curve of the crash site. As they dismounted, they heard the bell ringing and ringing. Thinking that was an odd thing to hear in the middle of the desert, they quickly went to investigate.
They came upon the old biker in the ditch with the gremlins surrounding him. With a vengeance, and without concern for their own safety, the two bikers attacked the gang of road gremlins, killing several and scaring off the rest.
The old biker was grateful for their help and offered money to his saviors, but they refused to accept any payment. The old biker wanted to show his gratitude and wouldn’t let the two bikers leave without something for their good deed. The old biker cut off two pieces of leather from his saddlebags tassels and tied a bell to each piece. He then attached the bells to the two bikers bikes as close to the ground as possible.
The old biker then told his new friends that with those bells attached to their bikes, they would be protected from the road gremlins and if they were ever in trouble, to ring the bell and a fellow biker would come to their aid.
So whenever you see a biker with a bell you’ll know that he has been blessed with the most important thing in life — friendship from a fellow biker.
Others believe gremlins live on motorcycles because they love to ride and are the cause of most bikers’ problems, like when the tires go flat, the horn won’t work or any several hundreds of things that can go wrong.
Evil road spirits can’t live near a bell because they get trapped in the hollow of the bell. Their hearing is hypersensitive so the constant ringing in a confined space drives them insane. They lose their grip and eventually fall onto the roadway. That is how potholes are formed.
If you buy your own bell, the magic will still work but if you receive one as a gift from a friend or a loved one the magic is doubled because out there somewhere you have a friend looking out for you.
If you steal a bell from a biker, you steal all the gremlins and the evil that comes with them. It is ill-advised that you steal a bell, the consequences could be dire.”
As with everything in life there are rules – regulations and guidelines as eluded to by the Biker Nation and The BikeBandit Blog sets out:
The Rules of the Bell
- It should not be bought by the user – in order to work, it must be given to a rider from a loved one. According to the legend, a bell is “activated” by the gesture of good will when someone, especially another rider, gives it to a rider they care about as a gift.
- It should be attached to the lowest part of the frame. Because gremlins lurk on the roadways and “grab” onto bikes as they pass by, the low-hanging bell should be the first thing they contact, so that they are immediately captured by it. It should be attached securely – safety wire is sometimes used, but that can create rust and scratches, so a zip-tie is generally the preferred method.
- When a bike with a bell on it is sold, it should be removed. The Gremlin Bell is a gesture of kindness to a rider from someone who cares about them, so it should be kept by the intended recipient, and can be transferred to another bike. If someone sells a bike with a bell and they want the new rider to have it, they should still remove it, and give it to them face to face. A bell that is not given with intentional good will loses its spirit-fighting mojo.
- If someone steals a Gremlin Bell, the gremlins go with it – and the bell will no longer ward them off. The key to the bell’s power is good will. If it is stolen, it loses its effect…and karma will take care of the rest!
Maybe you are not superstitious, maybe you think bah! what a load of bunkum! but maybe just maybe, in the back of your sub-conscience hidden along with a childhood belief that there are monsters under the bed, there is a little niggle that a legend might have some resemblance of a true story………………………… is it worth the risk not to believe!
That’s of course if you believe in all of this, if you don’t will you be taking the risk without a Guardian Bell?
We are not sure what the letters mean.
We asked and AI says – “The “A” and “S” letters on some guardian bells, also known as biker bells or gremlin bells, are part of a phrase that often wraps around the bell: “Never ride faster than your angel can fly”. The “A” and “S” are simply the letters used in that phrase”
It also said – “The letters “A” and “S” on a guardian bell, particularly in the motorcycle context, are likely not the letters “A” and “S” themselves. They more commonly refer to the terms “Alley” and “South,” often related to specific motorcycle clubs or gangs.”
What do the letters on the guardian bell mean? i got one and there is a , s letters but i don’t know why
Go back to the fuel station and leave it there somebody might come looking it – post up the details on local social media – just keep it safe and secure!
So I pulled up to a gas pump the other day an there on the ground was a little gold bell with a Harley Davidson symbol on both sides of it of course I was on my bike just stopping to fill up but I wasn’t sure as to weather or not to pick it up an I’ve been asking the significance of finding a bell an now I’m reading this I don’t know what to do with it!! Can somebody please tell me what to do
Well that’s a bit of a tangled web of emotions and relationships.
I think it would be best to gift a brand new bell to the other person – a fresh clean start of Guardian Bell protection!
I had a buddy who broke up with his girlfriend who gave him the guardian bell and he went down very soon after, therefore when I broke up with my boyfriend who I had gifted the bell to I took it back with his consent because I didn’t want him riding with any negative energies put on the bell and to get hurt. I still have the bell and wish to give it to another person, do you think its good practice or poor to take back a bell and regift it?
Hi Carolyn – yes of course – what the bells are all about!
Just this past weekend September 30th I had my son’s birthday party he is in to Harley Davidson motorcycle and a MC here and my town showed up for his birthday. My son is autistic and it ment so much to him that they took the time to stop by. We want to gift them all a bell would it be ok to do so. They told us we are now all family to them and we wanted to make sure it would still be the same and work the same.
H Mary, so sorry for your loss.
We can see no reason not to gift your son-in-law the bell previously gifted to your husband.
Given to him from you as a loved one and from you to your son-in-law as a loved one perhaps but certainly as a gesture of kindness to him from someone who cares about them.
My husband died by suicide a few months ago. I knew I would have to sell his Harley and it broke my heart. Thankfully, my son-in-law was able to purchase it and I feel my husband would be very happy that he did. I removed the bell. I planned to buy a new one for my son-in-law but was curious if I could gift him my husband’s as they were actually quite close.
Hi Anne, First we are so sorry for your loss.
If it helps you to cope with your loss, the journey to retrieve the bell from his bike and keeping it and his spirit with you in memory, then who are we or the legend of the bell to do nothing but agree.
You are making your own legend to cope for your own tragic personal circumstances!
Trevor Baird
Motorcycle Minds
My son died in a motorcycle accident 7 weeks ago, is it ok that I went and retrieved the bell from his bike and hung it in my car to have a way to keep him and his spirit with me
Hi CB, so sorry for the loss of your husband.
I think with the Guardian Bell and tragic personal circumstances the legend its self is re-written every time.
So that given that, then your own love, well being and your goodwill gesture to the memory of your husband you can write your own legend.
Maybe when you get your own bell gifted then you can retire your late husbands bell and keep it in a safe place.
Trevor Baird
Motorcycle Minds
My husband passed away after an accident on his bike. Do I remove his bell or keep it on the bike? I’m considering taking lessons to learn to ride it….do I need a bell of my own gifted to me or do I keep his on? Can I use both his old one and a new one for me?
Ashley – Hmmm! Only you know your relationship with your boyfriend and how sensitive he is to your feelings. However why don’t you ask him rather than touching ANYTHING on his motorcycle, that would be a rule and nothing to do with Guardian Bells!!
My boyfriends current bell was bought for him by his ex wife back when he first got his bike. We have been together now for 6 years. Are there any known rules that day I should take the bell off that she bought him and give him one from me?
Hi Mike
The text does say, “If you buy your own bell, the magic will still work but if you receive one as a gift from a friend or a loved one the magic is doubled because out there somewhere you have a friend looking out for you.”
So what to do? Although you have missed Christmas and the season of exchanging gifts perhaps you could still leave hints or regale the legend of the Guardian Bells to your friends or family circle without asking specifically – perhaps best done when over a few beers or your drink of choice!
I’m the only person who rides in my family or even my circle of friends. I know I can’t buy a bell for myself but can I “ask” for one or must it be a totally spontaneous gesture? I doubt anyone will ever get me one If I don’t say something.
Hi Brian
Yes it seems that one should remove the bell that came with the bike. One would assume you have no contact with the old owner so they could take the bell off and then give it to you face to face?
If not then our interpretation would be perhaps with the bell removed retire the bell and kept it somewhere safe or on show – pride of place.
Or gift it to a loved one or someone you care about, a friend perhaps – therefore the bells spirit-fighting mojo carries forward!
I bought a bike from a dealer and it had a bell on it. From what I am reading someone should buy me a new bell and I should remove the bell that came with the bike? Also if I remove it what’s the proper way to get rid of the bell that came on the bike. Thank you Brian
Hi my name is Leslie Halstead . I’m so very sorry to hear about your father’s passing. I purchased one of your bells, but it’s not for a motorcycle it’s for my husband who drives an 18 wheeler. It’s absolutely beautiful and I was hoping that it would do the same for him protect him ❤️ I think all your bells are absolutely gorgeous. I got the one shaped as a semi and it’s beautiful. Thank you for your time. Keep up the excellent work
Motorcycle Minds – Thanks Leslie for your comment – it was not our fathers passing not do we actually sell Guardian Bells – however we hope that the one you gifted to your husband has good effect for him!
Hi Linda
Interesting query how the imposition of human feelings affects the freely given protection of the Guardian Bell.
What we would say – after looking at the rules/regulation/guidance and adapting of those, is that the bell was gifted in good faith, good friendship or love (maybe all three), therefore whatever the feelings of the persons involved now has no effect on the bell.
However whilst the removal of the bell would have no bad luck towards you – you no longer have a Guardian Bell to capture the evil road spirts or Gremlins – thus you will be riding unprotected.
Perhaps the legend of the bell should include that it transcends human feelings towards each other.
If you have a falling out with the person who gifted you the bell is it bad luck to remove it?
Hi Blake
Sorry to hear about the passing of your dad.
As we wrote before to a similar query it may be up to you to give yourself your own guidance.
However what comes to mind would be to keep the bell and cherish the memories of your father – either retire the bell and cherish it in a place of safety or memory – and perhaps you will be gifted a new bell – or make your own story of the folk tale of the bell – if it protected your father whilst he was riding then why would it not protect his son when riding his bike that he gifted to you!
My dad has passed away recently and I inherited his bike. I read that the bell should be taken with you. So should I take it to his grave or would it be fine for me to keep it for when I eventually ride it.
We don’t know regarding bad luck or not. Our interpretation of the situation would be that the original Guardian Bell could be retired and kept somewhere safe or on show – pride of place, whilst the new Guardian Bell now takes over and starts the legend of the bell afresh!
I have a question my soon to be brother n law got a guardian bell from my fiancé and when he wrecked his bike it was bad but his life was spared he has damages but is healed now and riding again. He still has his bell , his wife bought him a new bell because he didn’t know if it was bad luck to put the one his brother bought him back on his new bike so I am asking if it is bad luck or not?
Hi Scott
In our opinion the family might not have known about the Guardian Bell nor its purpose.
Perhaps contact the dealer to contact the family and see if they wish to have the Guardian Bell returned as a memory of their loved one and retire the bell.
As the rules of the Bell state: “When a bike with a bell on it is sold, it should be removed. The Gremlin Bell is a gesture of kindness to a rider from someone who cares about them, so it should be kept by the intended recipient, and can be transferred to another bike. If someone sells a bike with a bell and they want the new rider to have it, they should still remove it, and give it to them face to face. A bell that is not given with intentional good will loses its spirit-fighting mojo.”
So you may have a bell with no – “spirit-fighting mojo.” maybe if you have contacted the family they may gift the bell to you!
I just purchased a bike from the family of a rider who was a victim of a debilitating stroke. This family is out-of-state so the actual transaction was done through my local Harley shop owner. What do I do with the Gremlin bell on this bike ?
Hi Kayla
Their doesn’t seem to be any specific rule on this.
However at https://makerslegacy.com/motorcycle-bell-rules/ they say:
Rule #6: The bell should be occasionally cleaned and polished – Every time the bike is cleaned, the bell should be polished. One must think of all the fallen friends while doing it, which is a way of paying them respect. One must also remember the meaning of being in the wind and importance of being free. Oh, and it makes the bell nice and shiny.
So it may be up to you to give yourself your own Guidance keep the bell and cherish the memories of the rider – gift it on to another rider maybe a friend of the fallen rider or in the spirit of the bell of, “being in the wind and importance of being free” leave it at a place frequented by riders for it to find its own place.
How do you retire a bell or what so you do with the bell when the rider passes away?
Hi Gerald
We would say that if the bike is inherited then it is a “gift” therefore the bell has been gifted on in intentional good will then it will not lose its spirit-fighting mojo.
I know that if a bike is sold the bell should be removed but what if the bike is inherited?
Hmm! great question!
After pondering for a while, our thoughts would be if your friend laid their bike down to avoid hitting another rider, then that was an act of good faith and not the cause of the gremlins, so they should keep and use their bell – maybe it will have been revitalised being involved in an act of good faith, as the article says its, “spirit-fighting mojo”.
The other rider who your friend tried to avoid should perhaps be gifted a bell or if they already had one the original retired, as perhaps the protection has been exhausted from theirs.
If you lay your bike down intentionally to avoid hitting another rider who laid theirs down, should you be given a new bell? My friend laid his down and I’ve been over this again and again and I feel like the magic that protected them both exhausted the bell. It should be retired and a new one in its place. Thoughts?
Wow, I really wanted to learn everything there was to know about these bells because I just gave my husband one for his bike. And I went through many websites before I came across this one, and truthfully I’m so glad I found this one it is very detailed and informational! I saved it for my husband to read as well
Thank you so much to whom ever wrote this article!!! And may God bless and watch over each and everyone of you bikers, and may all the drivers be respectful and watch out for our fellow bikers!! Thanks so much!!!