How low is to low? (front forks)

[Imreallycrazy]

I recently installed a stebel nautilus on my bike in front of my crash bars above and behind my wheel and tire guard. I noticed not long afterwords that if I hit a unexpected bump or pothole I would get quite a loud clank, I just assumed that my horn was shaking a wee bit and that it wasn't a big problem, but then I noticed a big dent on the back of my mudguard. I first assumed that some one (one of my siblings ) had dropped something on it, and so I just pulled it off and pounded it out, sure that there was plenty of clearance between my horn and the mud guard. But tonight while I was working on my windshield (pulled it all of, sanded off all the rust on the metal attachments and primed them, gonna repaint on Thursday) and out of curiosity had someone watch while I sat on the bike and pushed the front forks down all the way, BAM my horn smack straight into my mudguard and re-dents it. So my question is this is my horn mounted to close, or are my front springs to soft? also I have noticed alot of up/down play in the front end since replacing the rear shocks.

Pics to explain:



Thanks for any help!

Ben

[bwringer]

Your horn is mounted much too low. I have the same type of horn, and mine is mounted much higher. It barely touches the fender when the forks are collapsed with the springs out (when changing fork oil).

Even with new fork springs, you still need to have the full range of fork travel available.

[crash-harris]

Where did you get the horn? Looks very similiar to the "big rig" airhorn at Advance.

[Imreallycrazy]

Can anyone suggest a good alternative mounting space? my crash bars and saddle bags are really clogging up all the good spots here

[bwringer]

Can anyone suggest a good alternative mounting space? my crash bars and saddle bags are really clogging up all the good spots here

Just under the steering stem, there are two threaded holes (8mm X 1.25 thread) on most, if not all, GS frames that I've seen. They're mostly horizontal, facing forward.

You have to make a mounting tab out of some strong steel -- I use a piece of a stainless steel mending plate, with holes about 30-35mm (1.25") apart. Drill out the holes to about 8mm (5/16").

Bolt one hole of the mounting strap to the frame, and use the other hole to mount up the horn.

I usually also add a large zip tie as a safety strap.

The bottom bell of the horn ends up just above or barely touching the wiring bundle and tach cable (visible at the top of your last photo). Neat and out of the way.

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. Imreallycrazy,

It looks like those big highway bars are blocking the frame mounting holes that Mr. bwringer is talking about. Perhaps when you find some case guards the highway bars can come off and free up the mounting holes for your horn. Click the pic in my sig to get an idea of the case guards I'm talking about.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[bwringer]

Hi Mr. Imreallycrazy,

It looks like those big highway bars are blocking the frame mounting holes that Mr. bwringer is talking about.

No, they're much higher up. The horn sits above the tach cable and wiring bundle.

I'm going to be stuck without the ability to post photos for a little while... perhaps Larry D could post a photo of the horn install we did on his bike.

I've installed three of these horns this way with excellent results.

[Larry D]

No, they're much higher up. The horn sits above the tach cable and wiring bundle.

I'm going to be stuck without the ability to post photos for a little while... perhaps Larry D could post a photo of the horn install we did on his bike.

I've installed three of these horns this way with excellent results.

Okay. I don't have pics of the horn itself, but you can see it in these two pics.

[Larry D]

Here's a couple better pics.

[Ola]

In case anyone's wondering, this is too low:

[reddirtrider]

You should not be able to sit on the bike and push the front end until it hits bottom. No way, no how. I'd look into rebuilding them.

[Imreallycrazy]

Thanks all for the quick and helpful replies! I'll definitely look into redoing or replacing the forks as it sounds like it might make for a more comfortable cruise.

Larry D, is your mounting bolt in a hole that YOU drilled in the frame? Is that kosher? I considered doing that when I first mounted the horn but I wasn't sure if the frame would respond well to a reduction of support that close to the steering stem. If that would work, it'd save me some major relocation planning.

Thanks to all for your Help!

Ben

[Larry D]

No, I didn't drill a hole. For some reason, that upper frame base has two holes that were already drilled. Not sure what is/was supossed to mount up there. Looks like mounting points for an oil cooler to me. But, I'm not sure....

Makes a good place to mount the horn though. I have considered moving the r/r to the other hole to get more wind across it. But, my charging system is working well, so, I'm leaving well enough alone.

Edit: New progressive fork springs are worth every penny.