Air Horn Install on my I/S

[Kong6778]

I need help!!!! I have a 2001 I/S and it still has that silly stock horn. I have had air horns on both of my Standard Valks but I can't figure out where to install the horn on the I/S. I sure could use any and all suggestions for my problem. Also, while we are at it any suggestions what horn would be the best buy and loudest and most dependable. As always thanks in advance for your help.                                                                             

[Patrick]

Don't know about the IS, but, I installed a Stebil on the Tour right behind the ignition switch. It wouldn't quite fit in the original location and still look good.

[PAVALKER]

My last IS had a Stebel in the right POD.  On my current IS which had POD lights, I installed it under the side stand mount....actual attached to the permanent lift adapter which I installed under the side stand mount.  Sounds louder than the one I had in the POD.

[MarkT]

Since you probably haven't seen this I'll post it again.  This pic and my horn were featured in Motorcycle Cruiser magazine Feb 2003. They can't ignore this horn.

Here's my tech article on it:
http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Train-Horn/train-horn.html

[RainMaker]

Since you probably haven't seen this I'll post it again.  This pic and my horn were featured in Motorcycle Cruiser magazine Feb 2003. They can't ignore this horn.

Here's my tech article on it:
http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Train-Horn/train-horn.html

Love how this looks but it won't go on an Interstate due to the pod.

[MarkT]

I know of two with interstates who put it fastened under the trunk, sideways.

[Bighead]

Wolo under radiator pod no debris or water and out of site.

[Oldfishguy]

Wolo as well, next to the fuel selector under tank. Easy install, inexpensive, and chrome to boot.  There are different model numbers now but just go to eBay and pick one out.

[~ Timbrwolf]

. . ...Here,s the one I plan on getting for my State..


http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/wolo-chrome-bad-boy-air-horn-for-factory-horn-wires-12v-motorcycles/part/WOLO-519

[BradValk48237]

I have a Stebel Air horn ( the WOLOs are pretty much the same horn) in EACH pod.... all you need is about a 4 inch piece of flat stock with a hole in each end.... I think I used one of the radiator bolts to secure them to... Id have to look

The horns are powered directly from the battery and the stock horn wiring triggers the relays that come with the horns.... DO NOT try to directly use the current horn wiring directly to the air horns.... you will have trouble......

They have been in there for 5 years now and no troubles.....

B

[old2soon]

Wolo as well, next to the fuel selector under tank. Easy install, inexpensive, and chrome to boot.  There are different model numbers now but just go to eBay and pick one out.

        The one I have on my I/S is a chrome Wolo mounted pretty much in the same area as this. da prez fabbed up a bracket for me and the sound WILL git yer attention.  RIDE SAFE. P S-I can fart louder than the stock Valkyrie horn. 

[~ Timbrwolf]

...... " The horns are powered directly from the battery and the stock horn wiring triggers the relays that come with the horns.... DO NOT try to directly use the current horn wiring directly to the air horns.... you will have trouble " .....

...Hey Brad, Im confused by this statement. First you say that the stock horn wiring triggers the relays that come with the horn. Then you say not use the current horn wiring directly to the air horns. Are you saying that you have to run new wiring for the Stebel, or can you just replace the stock horn with it ?

[Oldfishguy]

I hope you don't mind if I answer the question for the other member:

The air horn needs more juice than what the stock OEM horn needs.  So you power the horn directly to the battery and then use the OEM horn wiring to trigger a relay that allows the juice to flow directly from the battery to the new air horn.  The relay is small, about the size of a quarter and mine is hidden just behind the air horn.

So you have 4 wires going to this relay:  Two directly to the battery, and two coming from your OEM horn original wiring.

Sounds more complicated than it really is.
 

[dinosnake]

Secret tip from those of us on the 1800 Valkyrie: use OUR (electric) horns if you don't want to deal with an air horn's mounting and electrical requirements.  You can buy both (the 1800 Valk has 2 horns standard, high and low tone) from Honda for less than a good air horn and they should be able to be powered by the stock wiring harness.

What do they sound like and how loud are they?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBfsxbXk7B0

NOTE: occasional adult language

Starting at 7:30 you can hear him use / play with the horn, it's quite loud and sounds like a luxury car.

Great video, and also shows what non-1800 Valk riders are missing    After he loses his friends (by leaving them in the dust!  ) and pulls over at 3:40, he'll do a hard acceleration run.  Watch the speedo, but remember it's in KPH. So "50" is 31MPH, "100" is 62MPH...and then he goes on to escape velocity    (hint: he's hit 30MPH and still hasn't finished coming off the shoulder!)

[~ Timbrwolf]

...Thanks for clearing that up Old Fish Guy.....from the Old Wolf Guy.. 

[Flat6Valk]

I Valkyrie had trumpet style mounted under the frame when I bought it.  I replaced with BigBF horns.  Way better.  Way louder.

Greg
Flat6Valk

[BradValk48237]

Just saw this...

Timbr...


Yep... what he said.....


LOL

B

[Karen]

Big BF Quad horns. Made the inspection guy jump. Priceless. Years of air horns needing maintenance are over.

[~ Timbrwolf]

...Thanks Brad...they are on "The List" of things to do before spring.. 

[jterrell]

Recently installed a Stebel on my 98 Std, only it keeps blowing fuses.  Started out using the extra accessory power supply behind the right side cover, kept blowing fuses.  Next I T'd into my Battery Tender cable (behind the fuse), ran all 12 gauge wire, and still the same:  I can toot the horn, but if I try to lay on it (like you would with some text-message-sending-moron coming into your lane) it blows the fuse.  What am I doing wrong?

[Willow]

Recently installed a Stebel on my 98 Std, only it keeps blowing fuses.  Started out using the extra accessory power supply behind the right side cover, kept blowing fuses.  Next I T'd into my Battery Tender cable (behind the fuse), ran all 12 gauge wire, and still the same:  I can toot the horn, but if I try to lay on it (like you would with some text-message-sending-moron coming into your lane) it blows the fuse.  What am I doing wrong?

I hope you're using the OEM horn power to trip a relay but powering the Stebel with a line through the relay from the battery.

[Gryphon Rider]

Jterrell, you posted the same question on the Tech board as well.  Best to keep it in one thread, tech on the Tech board, all other stuff on the General board.  The Tech board is well read by experienced amateur (and some professional) Valk mechanics, so your tech questions will undoubtedly be addressed there.  And, unless your are updating an old thread that you, yourself, started, it's almost always best to start a new thread with your question than to revive a years-old thread.  These are suggestions from a VRCC board participant since 2001, not rules per se.

[Dave Ritsema]

At the time the GL1800's were using dual horns and I ordered a set and put them in my pods. It sounded just like a car and was very effective and required pretty minimal modification.

[Moonshot_1]

Years ago I got a pair of horns from a Dodge mini van from a junk yard for $8. About another $8 for some brackets and bolts to install on the underside by the side stand area. Easy direct connection with battery, relay to horn button. Quite pleased with the result. Scares the hell out of folks. Nearly can launch wife into a shallow earth orbit when deployed.

[markymark640]

I had a Stebel Chrome Air horn, which supposedly has a harmonized twin tone sound (530Hz and 680Hz) at 124dB, and are not very expensive.

I have it mounted right where the original horn was. Easy Peasy.  It works just fine from there for the last couple of years, no issues.