Horn upgrade.

[spyug]

Originally, as I mentioned, I had just plugged them in to the stock wiring setup and they worked fine. On reflection and doing some reading I have decided to wire in a relay. I also bought the same horns for the Kat project and I'm going to wire them in on a relay this weekend.

Dollar for dollar, I think this is one cheapoer safety mods you can do. I notice on the road, they do get folks attention.

Cheers,
spyug

[djg42]

I want to put on a better horn on my bike too. What does it mean to have a high and low tone? Is it two differen horns? Also, where can I get the relay ill need? Is this the horn to get? Its 130db, only 9 less dcb and much cheaper then the stebel($15 vs $40)

http://www.amazon.com/FIAMM-72112-Freeway-Blaster-Horn/dp/B000DINKPQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1267655529&sr=8-1

[spyug]

Yes that is the horn. They come in two tones Fiamm model A High Tone #72002 and model B Low Tone 72012. I don't know if Amazon has them both but an internet search should find other retailers that have them. In Canada I get them at Princess Auto which is similar to Harbour Freight so they likely carry them too.

The relays can usually be sourced at any good auto store but HF will have them. They are available in different amperage ratings and either 30A or 40A will work. Some come with sockets, some without usually around $5 to $7 or so. They will be in the electrical section (duh) and likely near auxillairy light and switches.

Hope that helps and good luck.
S.

PS Wear ear plugs when you try them out especially if in a garage

[Mysuzyq]

Is it two differen horns? Also, where can I get the relay ill need? Is this the horn to get? Its 130db, only 9 less dcb and much cheaper then the stebel($15 vs $40)

Those Fiamms are a pretty good upgrade, esp. in comparison to the stock items, but just to clarify what a 9 decibel increase really means.....

[Keep this in mind: sound energy doubles for every 3 points you go up in the decibel scale. It means that the Stebel Nautilus horn, which produces 139 dB of sound, puts out a LOT more sound than these popular horns:
- 800% of the sound energy of the more expensive 130dB FIAMM Freeway Blaster;
- 600% louder than the $140, 130 dB Pro Pad Mini Beast horn;
- 650% louder than the $179, 128dB Rivco dual trumpet horn...]

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2137

The Stebel is dual-tone, and comes with the relay for that price (I got mine on ebay for $25 + shipping), but it's bulkier, and more difficult to install correctly (the horn opening should face the ground, to prevent water collection), so the Fiamms might be better from the convenience standpoint.

[djg42]

Thanks for clearing that up. If i go with the fiamms should i get High or Low tone?

[spyug]

Either or but both is better as that is how they are designed to work or so I'm told.

As they fire together, they produce a blended tone that is louder than both individually.

As they are inexpensive enough I'd recommend you go with both and I'm sure you will be pleased with the way they perform.

Cheers,
S.

[MikeG]

Welcome to this weeks' episode of "THANK YOU, PO!"

I bought the FIAMM horns from Napa today for my afternoon project. Got the relay, wire, connectors, and laid them all out. Then I started to disassemble the old wiring. Two black wires lead from each horn to a taped together mess under the top tube. after the third layer I found a green wire peeking out soldered to a black wire. Hoorah! Horn wire found!

Hooked that to #87, tied each of the two wires from each horn to a spade connector and hooked left to 85 and right to 86. power to #30 and off we go.

...except once I got it back together, nothing happens when I hit the button.

Now I'm screwed, I'm at the limit of my knowledge and I don't feel sure of myself enough to pull the main harness apart to figure out what goes where and I wont ride the bike without a horn.

i have to wait till fall when my mechanic friend who promised to redo my wiring is back from the racing circuit.

[mustangflyr]

Been using Fiamms on my 1000 for decades, found that when used the driver in the car starts looking for that truck that's about to run them over. Good investment.

[scotto58]

Hey Mike,

I MAY be off base but I think if the horns have 2 wires going to them 1 goes to ground and the other to a power source/switch. Did the horns come with any instructions?

Scott

[MikeG]

Hey Mike,

I MAY be off base but I think if the horns have 2 wires going to them 1 goes to ground and the other to a power source/switch. Did the horns come with any instructions?

Scott

That's what I thought but I read here that both wires went to either 85 or 86. Tomorrow I'm going to try separating each side and wire those together t o see what happens.

[BassCliff]

I bought the FIAMM horns from Napa today for my afternoon project. Got the relay, wire, connectors, and laid them all out. Then I started to disassemble the old wiring. Two black wires lead from each horn to a taped together mess under the top tube. after the third layer I found a green wire peeking out soldered to a black wire. Hoorah! Horn wire found!

Hooked that to #87, tied each of the two wires from each horn to a spade connector and hooked left to 85 and right to 86. power to #30 and off we go.

...except once I got it back together, nothing happens when I hit the button.

Hi,

You want to connect the original, stock horn wire to #86 and the new horns to #87. Then #85 gets connected to ground and #30 is the power from the battery.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[MikeG]

By horn wire, do you mean the green wire coming from the horn switch?

[Steve]

Hooked that to #87, tied each of the two wires from each horn to a spade connector and hooked left to 85 and right to 86. power to #30 and off we go.

...except once I got it back together, nothing happens when I hit the button.

Hi,

You want to connect the original, stock horn wire to #86 and the new horns to #87. Then #85 gets connected to ground and #30 is the power from the battery.

Close, but not quite.

The stock horns have two wires connected to them. Not sure about the colors, but I think the green wire is a constant HOT wire from the battery, then the black one is the one that goes to the switch on the handlebar where it gets grounded when you push the button.

To use a relay in the system, remove the two wires from both horns, tape off both wires that went to one horn. You should have one green and one black wire left. Connect them to #85 and #86 (it does not matter which goes to which). Connect #30 to the battery (using a fuse, of course), then connect both horns to #87. If the horns have two terminals, connect the other terminal to a chassis ground.

.

[DanTheMan]

Follow this link http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...stall_gert.pdf, it will give you the correct way to wire the horns in detail, and it works!

[BassCliff]

Close, but not quite.

The stock horns have two wires connected to them. Not sure about the colors, but I think the green wire is a constant HOT wire from the battery, then the black one is the one that goes to the switch on the handlebar where it gets grounded when you push the button.

To use a relay in the system, remove the two wires from both horns, tape off both wires that went to one horn. You should have one green and one black wire left. Connect them to #85 and #86 (it does not matter which goes to which). Connect #30 to the battery (using a fuse, of course), then connect both horns to #87. If the horns have two terminals, connect the other terminal to a chassis ground.

.

Thanks for the clarification Steve. I'd really hate to cause a fellow GSR member to lose any magic smoke from their electrical system.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff