Horn

[Cabreco]

This may sound like a stupid question but it never hurts to ask...I can replace my stock horn with any 12volt horn setup right? People down here appear to be hearing impaired when driving...I could be the damn cell phones in their ear.
I want to replace them with something with a higher db rating like Wolo electric bad boy horns.

[TOOLS1]

I think, you should install an air horn off a diesel locomotive. However, you can use any 12V horn.
TOOLS

[Cabreco]

TOOLS1 wrote

I think, you should install an air horn off a diesel locomotive. However, you can use any 12V horn.
TOOLS

If it weren't that I would need to install a compressor & air tank like I have in my pick up...I would!  <LOL>

That's what I though, just checking befor I jump.
Thanx T

[LukeM]

It depends on the current draw for the horns.  Being a bit conservative due to the engineer in me, I would put in a relay for anything over 10 amps.  If not, I'm thinking the horn button contacts will start to arc with the higher draw of the new horns.

I wonder: there are lots of aftermarket horns out there.  I'm considering going to a louder set of FIAMM or equivalent on my Shadow. Anyone on this forum have any experience they'd like to share?

Luke M

[Cabreco]

Good point.
These are the ones I am actually looking at.
Horn_manual.pdf

[Re-run]

As long as the horn does not have a negative ground, you should be good. An auto horn would work but you need to isolate it so it does not ground to the frame. I did not do that and instant on! It was years ago so I could have done something wrong.

[shinyribs]

these bikes dont have horn relays?  its straight thru the switch?

[Piute]

   "May not be reproduced in any shape or form ", " THIS IS NOT A STEP "  L.M.A.O...use as mentioned ,firm believer in relays on anything old or even if you think of it,do it,beats thinking it while rideing.Some screaming fog horns YES!!!...Piute

[LukeM]

Harbor freight does horns? Current priced for the pair is $10, which is cheap. I may just check these out at my local store.

And as a follow up: I am guessing relays were more expensive than getting low current components installed. Fuses are cheaper and easier to diagnose. It's also in keeping with the charging systems and battery capacity. Think of it like an airplane: there are two ways to make a plane go faster: put in a bigger engine, which gives more power at the expense of bigger support systems (the engine itself, fuel tank, cooling system, mounting system, electrical, etc.) Or reduce weight. Granted, there comes a point where there is no more weight savings to be had, but you get my point.

Luke M

[Cabreco]

Ok so using a horn relay (since my bike seems not to have one) I would wire the relay to the directly to the battery with a fuse then use the disconnected existing horn wires to the relay to activate the horn right?
Like so:



Or should I run the horn grounds back to the battery as well?

[sgtslag]

These bikes have a negative ground -- connect to a non-painted metal part on the frame (i.e., a bolt).  To be certain, test with an Ohmmeter to measure resistance between your ground point, and the negative terminal of the battery:  should read <2 Ohms.

Your schematic is correct.  It will activate when the old horn button is closed/pushed (this will apply power to the old horn wires, and, therefore, the new relay in its place, activating the new horns.  Cheers!

[Cabreco]

sgtslag wrote

Your schematic is correct.  It will activate when the old horn button is closed/pushed (this will apply power to the old horn wires, and, therefore, the new relay in its place, activating the new horns.  Cheers!

Cool, it never hurts to double check.