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Message started by TBeck2000 on 07/01/05 at 05:00:15

Title: Horn replacement?
Post by TBeck2000 on 07/01/05 at 05:00:15

The horn on my Savage is pretty weak (like most I suppose). I would like to replace it with something much louder. I had no success in finding any documents describing the process (from removing the old one, selecting a compatible horn, and installation). Every time I do a search on "horn", I end up with a ton of posts with "buckhorn" in it.

Anybody have experience with this and want to share some insights?

Tim

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by TBeck2000 on 07/01/05 at 05:07:06

Here's a list of the motorcycle horns available at JCWhitney.com: Link (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Browse/tf-Browse/s-10101/showCustom-0/N-111+600002157+10211/c-10111)

I like this one because it looks to be about the same size and uses spade connnectors:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/10010777.gif;pv4f072d28cb4323e8 (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2009021/showCustom-0/p-2009021/N-111+600002157+10211/c-10111)

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/01/05 at 05:31:34

The problem is that most bike horns sound much like the one you have already. Look into a car horn similar to one of these.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/10006542.gif
I picked up a pair like this for $6 at my local Harbor Freight and used the one oriented like the one on the left so that the horn opening is at the bottom of the curl (so as not to trap any accidental water) and facing forward. Just take a look at your local auto parts store, Harbor Freight (if you have one) or even JC Whitney. A car horn will get folks' attentions much better than something from a Roadrunner cartoon.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by sluggo on 07/01/05 at 05:40:16

I went with a cage horn, scares the crap out of people when they think a buick is about to hit them. :o

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by TBeck2000 on 07/01/05 at 06:40:27

How does one remove the stock horn? I see that there is a bracket held on with 2 large screws.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/01/05 at 06:56:47

And then there's just the one nut attached to the threaded stud protruding from the center of the horn. That's how the horn attaches to the bracket. Just about all of these horns have that arrangement.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Paladin on 07/01/05 at 09:09:02

I replaced the 105db disc horn with a 138db blaster:
http://www.andruschak.net/mike/Horn.jpg
I now sound like a large car rather than a little bike. I need to add the high tone mate to sound like a Caddy.

It just about mounted in place of the stock disk, using the extension bracket that came with the horn. I may have used a longer bolt.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/01/05 at 10:20:36

Exactly Paladin. Mine looks very similar except mine's red and black with the chrome grille on the front. In fact, mine looks exactly like the yellow and black set shown above except mine are red instead of yellow. I think I used and extension too... and then had to adjust it slightly because I hadn't accounted for the turn signals when the steering is turned to the left.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by DavidV on 07/01/05 at 22:00:38

Here's a thought:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=77839

This is a Stebel Nautilus, supposedly the loudest horn you can get. I'm putting one of these in my car. Not sure where I'd hang it on the bike. Supposed to make it sound high-pitched and annoying like one of those Italian sports cars. Gotta do something to combat all those starry-eyed twinkies with cell phones and Range Rovers.

RideSafer.com has a pretty good selection of regular and disk-style horns.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Paladin on 07/01/05 at 22:45:12

You can get a pair of the Magnum Blaster (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4559341437&category=6755&sspagename=WD2V) 138 db electric horns for a $25 start bid.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/03/05 at 10:46:20

I'm pretty happy with mine right now. At the moment it makes the bike sound something like a '74 Impala.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by WD on 07/03/05 at 13:21:15

I'm thinking about wiring in a micro compressor and a set of air horns off a scrapped tugboat. Or a diesel locomotive. West Coast cage drivers are deaf, blind, and braindead.
-WD

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Paladin on 07/03/05 at 15:38:04

The link DavidV posted was to compact Italian air horns with an equally compact compressor.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by WD on 07/03/05 at 16:18:25

I'm talking the HUGE airhorns. Louder than a siren. Horns that require at least a scuba tank worth of air storage... Anyone know where the UnionPacific, CSX, or ship scrap yards are? Even a "Freightshaker" horn isn't loud enough where I live. >:(
-WD

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by DavidV on 07/05/05 at 08:50:23

WD,

Here's one, since you want to go really big:

http://www.groverairhorns.com/

A guy from my last office had a set of ship horns on his truck. Way loud enough. Loud and a much deeper tone than regular auto air horns.

And these guys make'em for ferries:

http://www.airchime.bc.ca/

Not sure how you'll get these things mounted on a bike, (or if you'd really want them so close to your own ears) but I'd love to see it.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by WD on 07/05/05 at 21:41:46

TOO COOL!!!!!

I may have to add a sidehack after all, the horns are as big as the bike...I'm leaning towards the aircraft carrier air horn...
-WD

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by PerrydaSavage on 07/06/05 at 02:05:29

LOL WD ... too funny man!
Why not add a coupla forward facing speakers an amplifier and MP3 player in the saddlebag that plays a LOUD digital soundclip of "HEY DUMBA$$" everytime the horn button is depressed ... or the sound of machine gun fire or an F18 takin' off?
Last Saturday, while on a run thru Portugal Cove, near St. John's International Airport, a twin of RCAF F18's took off right over our heads ... scared the livin' crap outa us!

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Dynobob on 07/06/05 at 12:46:22

LOL. This guy comes pretty close to your dream horn setup ;D

http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn1.jpg

http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn2.jpg

http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn3.jpg

http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn4.jpg

http://home.goldrush.com/obsoelyt/Horn5.jpg

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Mr 650 on 07/27/05 at 19:05:03

Looks like the c0ckpit of Snoopy's Sopwith Camel! :o

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Hammy211 on 07/28/05 at 00:34:45

Paladin wrote:

I put a horn on just like this purchased at Napa. I had the gas tank off and it screwed right into the hole without the extension. Used a couple of washer to have it face forward. Work great the first time I used it but ever since I rode in the rain it has been mess up. I don't know if it was the water(none in it now) or something else entirely.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Mr 650 on 07/29/05 at 00:14:05

It's a 'safety device' they should replace it or you may get run over & your widow would own them. Carry it back and try again. Take a piece of wire and jump it to one of the batteries they have sitting around so they can see it won't work. ;D

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by Savage_Rob on 07/29/05 at 06:07:43

Also be sure it's angled slightly downward like Paladin's or you'll need to drill a drain hole to be sure water doesn't get trapped inside it. I have the same type and haven't had any problems though I've only ridden in moderate rain - no downpours yet.

Title: Re: Horn replacement?
Post by doktork on 09/22/07 at 20:11:46

Just installed the Nautilus compact. It works great! Was able to squeeze the relay under the metal casing on the left (driver's left) side. Was easier to remove the seat and tank for wiring.