Horn, options

Grey wolf oz · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 01:19:47

Team

yuh i know i have been quiet,
don't hold it against me

So from the top i never thought much of the standard horn,

I picked up a " loud horn from the local auto store, yep that was pretty bad too!!

from ebay a stebel snail type horn that was ok until a wet ride, it died,,,
and replaced with similar, but the sound is so poor,,,,,,,,,

so any suggestions, negatives positives etc,

at this point i am leaning toward the stebel nautilus type, but not sure :O

3fan4life · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 05:58:33

This el cheapo from Harbor freight has worked well for me:

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-12-volt-electric-horn-set-99911.html

It's a bargain price and it's even chrome.

With a little imagination it can be mounted where the OEM horn was.

pais · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 06:02:35

My $.02, for what it is worth.
If there is a possibility of getting your hands on a set of Bill Ferguson's Quad Horns, do it. They are very effective.

hubcapsc · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 06:05:53

I have BigBF quad horns. When I rebuilt my slave cylinder recently, I
replaced the four 15 year old horns with brand new horns from NAPA.

Covid took BigBF from us, so you can't buy his kit anymore, but this
is a good place to put loud horns.

-Mike

Robert · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 07:47:49

On my 1500 I put on air horns and they were pretty good. But so used to bikes coming with lousy horns when I got my 1800 was going to do the same. But as it turns out the horn on the 1800 is pretty loud and Ive never had a problem with being heard. I would say pickup the 1800 horn or switch to air horns and that would do it.

hubcapsc · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 08:20:45

Once you start putting on "bigger" "louder" horns, they're probably needing
more juice...

Now my horn button is connected to a relay instead of directly to the
horns...

-Mike

msb · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 09:08:57

A good mid-tone car horn has worked great for me for many years. Not only the sound, but the cheap "afterthought" placement of the stock horns on all models of the 1500 was awful...so out of place on an otherwise fabulous motorcycle. My car horn fits right up inside the Right side pod on my Interstate, attached by the bolt that holds the two pod pieces together. No need to replace or extend stock wiring to the horn or add a relay.

The stock twin horns with chrome covers on my "78 GL1000 on the other hand, are outstanding in terms of loudness, tone, placement on either side, and looks. Why didn't Honda just use these for the 1500 Valks????

t-man403 · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 09:25:38

Give that Stebel a shot of WD40.....it'll work.

0leman · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 09:53:15

I had three horns on my Valk when I got her. The previous owner had had them installed. Since my Valk is an interstate, the horns are on a relay so no problems with the juice to run them. They do make a bit of noise. All three are located where the OE horn was installed. Used brackets like 3fan4life post showed.

Have scared several drivers trying to cut me off.

thedon · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 13:57:13

Steve Cain is making the quad horns again. Look him up on FB.
Also Big BF's brother had some left over last I heard.

pais · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 15:04:15

Quote from: thedon on Sat 30, Jul 2022, 13:57:13
Steve Cain is making the quad horns again. Look him up on FB.
Also Big BF's brother had some left over last I heard.

I was hoping something like this would make these available.

Quote from: hubcapsc on Sat 30, Jul 2022, 06:05:53
I have BigBF quad horns. When I rebuilt my slave cylinder recently, I
replaced the four 15 year old horns with brand new horns from NAPA.

Covid took BigBF from us, so you can't buy his kit anymore, but this
is a good place to put loud horns.

-Mike

I hope mine last 15 years! I was and still am a bit worried about location of these horns but, so far so good.

Jess from VA · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 16:37:53

I had the loud Stebil die twice (even though the second was mounted facing backwards from water). Still on the relay, I just put a loud car horn on the existing wiring and it does not die (not Stebil loud, but loud enough, and better than the OE meep meep)

I rarely use my horn. I always watch carefully, almost never get surprised, stay out of texter's weaving ways, and never try to punish anyone for lousy driving with my horn (after the fact). It does no good, they don't become better drivers, they don't get angry and do something worse, and my blood pressure stays lower. I'm exactly the same way in my truck.

Chrisj CMA · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 20:18:00

This is where my Stebil has been for over twelve years and is still perfectly functional

vanagon40 · Sat 30, Jul 2022, 21:19:14

Quote from: Chrisj CMA on Sat 30, Jul 2022, 20:18:00
This is where my Stebil has been for over twelve years and is still perfectly functional

Ditto

lostparrot · Sun 31, Jul 2022, 04:48:12

My quad horns from Bill have been on for 11 years and about 90000miles. I did have one bracket break off, but its an easy repair. The set would be very easy to make. I'm kinda surprised somebody isn't making them since Bill passed.

Doug B. · Mon 01, Aug 2022, 06:04:34

I had a Wolo installed when I bought my '98 Tourer. It is loud and so far has worked well. Mounted in the same position as the post above.

Grey wolf oz · Sat 06, Aug 2022, 01:13:00

Hey every one thanks for diving on here with information !!

kinda looks like a weekend project and run the relay through to make the juice flow

gonna have to be a wet weekend !! or ill be riding !!

again

thanks !!

Luke

MarkT · Sat 06, Aug 2022, 19:06:09

Been running this fire truck air horn on Deerslayer for around 20 years. The install is involved, while the volume is incredible. Too much in fact - you can't do a small toot. This pic and a report was in Motorcycle Cruiser mag in 2003, Feb I think. Not suggesting you go to this much trouble - it's kinda overboard. http://www.horseapple.com/Valkyrie/Tech_Tips/Train-Horn/train-horn.html

But if you want a crazy loud horn for parades and the like, this is the one.