My old bell has served me well and It was the first bell that I had on my first Harley.Its scratch up pretty bad from the gremlins and looks a little out of place on a new bike. Kinda like me. I guess it just says that I love to ride.
I have a bell for the same reason I bought my elephant dog. Everyone always asks me about my elephant dog, and I always remind them that they never see any elephants in my back yard.
No, the bell may have been given to you but it was meant for the bike and when you retired the bike, the bell must also be retired but kept as a fond memory of the safe miles traveled while all three of you were together. It now becomes a legacy of the past and constant reminder of what once was. The new bike will bring a new era in your journey and requires a new bell to continue the legend.