Once upon a time there was aman that made bells. Hewas a hard working man and every day he made as many bells as he could.
He never seemed be able to earn enough money to pay formotorcycle parts because motorcycle parts are very expensive.So he made up a story about gremlins and the bells and heincreased the price of the bells because now they were not normal bells these were now motorcycle parts.
Then came a time when bikers were making their bikes lighter and faster by chopping off every non-essential piece. Sales of the bells fell sharply. The wise bell maker began tomarket hisbells to the bikerswives and girlfriends, telling them that the bells were great gifts since bells given as gifts were most powerful.

And they all lived happily ever after.

 

Yep, it is looking pretty bad for you Dispatch. Six posts and it looks like you are all ready courting bad luck and hard times. Perhaps you should post a thread and see if any of the other members will clue you in on the ancient and seldom mentioned secret ceremony to dispel the evil brought to those who inquire about the legend. As matter of fact I just happen to know a guy that will send you the instructions on how to perform the secret ceremony for only $19.95 plus shipping.

Arcane

 

Yuck, yuck. [sm=icon_rofl.gif]

 

Actually, the bells go WAY back before bikes.

If ya watch the "Lord of the Rings" movies, ya see that the horses have small bells on them ta keep the Orcs away...

 

Part of the story is the that the concern and well wishes for you are contained in the bell, creating a spirit in the bell (That's why they are also called spirit bells. Does anyone else get the feeling this really was started in the 60s?). By hanging it it from the lowest part of your frame the first theing the Road Gremmlins touch is protected by the spiritin the bell. Every time the bell rings a gremlin tried to get you. Buying one for yourself gives you no protection and may infact only irritate the gremlins.
Don't have one on my scoot either.

As a side note, Groomlings or Gremlins were also first noticed by pilots in World War II. I forgot if it was U.S., British or German pilots. Regarless of who first noticed them, all air forces were affected equally. Since most of the original "rowdy bikers" in the US came from the US Army Air Corp, it is also assumed that as these aviation types were grounded, so were their gremlins.

That's the story as I know it and I'm sticking to it. Since I used to be an Army helicopter crew chief and air traffic controller, I have no reason to doubt the tale.

 

I remember hearing something about never feeding them after midnight and whatever you donever ever get them wet!!

 

Hiking sticks around here come with bells. Alerts the grizzly bears to your approach so they can run away...or, mistake it for a dinner bell and eat you for lunch.