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General Category => Modifications => Topic started by: Yamahammer1200 on October 05, 2015, 08:32:45 PM

Title: Horn upgrade
Post by: Yamahammer1200 on October 05, 2015, 08:32:45 PM
Stock horn sounds like the Roadrunner (meemeep!).  A search suggests the Steibel Compact, but looked like a mighty tight fit.  I do want to mount up front, as I am trying to alert those texters ahead, not the ones I am passing.  Looking for a workable upgrade.
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: FJmonkey on October 05, 2015, 08:48:54 PM
I like my Hella Tone dual frequency horns. One lower and one higher to cover a better range of noise. Easy to install and comes with a relay so power comes directly from the battery. Ignore the black electrical tape holding my front fender on. I will get the tabs welded back on this weekend. And the Fraken-Bolt pegs are changing as well, too high up and too far forward.

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/104_05_10_15_7_43_39_0.jpeg)
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: movenon on October 05, 2015, 09:29:10 PM
They do make a lot of noise.. Especially every time my tank bag hits the bloody horn !
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/7/1651_02_09_14_11_52_17.jpeg)
George
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: Yamahammer1200 on October 05, 2015, 11:32:36 PM
That looks workable, trying to keep it as stock looking as I can. Loud? Hands free phones in CA means every real estate agent  and lawyer can't hear you. 
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: Bones on October 06, 2015, 02:43:07 AM
I originally had my air horn mounted horizontally at the front,  but made another bracket so it's sitting vertical because their really meant to be mounted that way. Easy enough to do, bit of flat steel bent at the end to get it sitting inside the forks a bit.

(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a586/the4ts/DSC_1077_zps1kqhadc6.jpg)

(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a586/the4ts/DSC_1078_zpsojuymcn1.jpg)

Mounted the horn and fairing loosely and adjusted the bracket till there were no clearance issues when turning lock to lock

(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a586/the4ts/DSC_1079_zpslhxsrwom.jpg)

(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a586/the4ts/DSC_1080_zpsiujent9z.jpg)

With the fairing mounted you can't see the horn or bracket unless you look under or from the top.

(http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a586/the4ts/DSC_1082_zpsmeeluykf.jpg)
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: giantkiller on October 06, 2015, 06:57:21 AM
I mounted my airhorn under the arch that the front tab for the seat goes into. Lots of room with no airbox.
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: CutterBill on October 06, 2015, 09:06:19 AM
If you ride so that you actually NEED a horn, you're doing it wrong.
Bill
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: FJ1100mjk on October 06, 2015, 09:18:40 AM
Quote from: CutterBill on October 06, 2015, 09:06:19 AM
If you ride so that you actually NEED a horn, you're doing it wrong.
Bill

Please explain. The way I read your statement is, that if no horn is required, if it is never needed. Correct/incorrect?
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: CutterBill on October 06, 2015, 08:50:08 PM
Sorry for the misunderstanding.  No, what I meant was... if you put yourself in a position where you need to use your horn, to let cagers know you are there, then you are not riding defensively.  I don't mean to turn this into a riding tutorial; far better riders than I can help you with that.  But basically, don't ride in a cager's blind spot.  Use the inherent strengths of the bike (acceleration, braking, turning) to stay out of harm's way.  Relying on a horn to do that will only lead, someday, to disappointment.   No worries...   :drinks:
Bill
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: Yamahammer1200 on October 06, 2015, 08:59:33 PM
I doubt the High Desert has as much congestion as a commute into San Francisco.
I get your point, but I have actually needed my horn more in parking lots and stop lights than on the freeway.
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: FJmonkey on October 06, 2015, 09:42:57 PM
Having a loud horn and not needing it, is better needing it and not having it. We are not in complete control out there, the best riding tool sits between our ears. Having other tools can be a big help from time to time... Ride like you don't have loud horn, use it when you need it... So sayeth the Monkey.
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: fj1289 on October 07, 2015, 12:33:12 PM
Quote from: FJmonkey on October 05, 2015, 08:48:54 PM
I like my Hella Tone dual frequency horns. One lower and one higher to cover a better range of noise. Easy to install and comes with a relay so power comes directly from the battery. Ignore the black electrical tape holding my front fender on. I will get the tabs welded back on this weekend. And the Fraken-Bolt pegs are changing as well, too high up and too far forward.

(http://fjowners.com/gallery/9/104_05_10_15_7_43_39_0.jpeg)


Add some "stirrups" to those pegs and you can start offering "exams"!

Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: FJmonkey on October 07, 2015, 12:50:39 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on October 07, 2015, 12:33:12 PM
Add some "stirrups" to those pegs and you can start offering "exams"!

A bit Frankenstein eh? It was a last minute attempt before the renegade rally. They sit too high and forward. I am working on a bolt on solution using the rear pegs. I will post up when I have a good solution.
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: jscgdunn on October 07, 2015, 03:30:10 PM
Quote from: FJmonkey on October 07, 2015, 12:50:39 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on October 07, 2015, 12:33:12 PM
Add some "stirrups" to those pegs and you can start offering "exams"!

A bit Frankenstein eh? It was a last minute attempt before the renegade rally. They sit too high and forward. I am working on a bolt on solution using the rear pegs. I will post up when I have a good solution.

I guess it would be somewhat like this but it may require some fine tuning :rofl:
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: jscgdunn on October 07, 2015, 04:17:08 PM
Quote from: jscgdunn on October 07, 2015, 03:30:10 PM
Quote from: FJmonkey on October 07, 2015, 12:50:39 PM
Quote from: fj1289 on October 07, 2015, 12:33:12 PM
Add some "stirrups" to those pegs and you can start offering "exams"!

A bit Frankenstein eh? It was a last minute attempt before the renegade rally. They sit too high and forward. I am working on a bolt on solution using the rear pegs. I will post up when I have a good solution.

I guess it would be somewhat like this but it may require some fine tuning :rofl:


Forgot the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mal3ns1WxCs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mal3ns1WxCs)
Title: Re: Horn upgrade
Post by: Charlie-brm on October 09, 2015, 08:05:45 PM
Quote from: CutterBill on October 06, 2015, 08:50:08 PM
Sorry for the misunderstanding.  No, what I meant was... if you put yourself in a position where you need to use your horn, to let cagers know you are there, then you are not riding defensively.  I don't mean to turn this into a riding tutorial; far better riders than I can help you with that.  But basically, don't ride in a cager's blind spot.  Use the inherent strengths of the bike (acceleration, braking, turning) to stay out of harm's way.  Relying on a horn to do that will only lead, someday, to disappointment.   No worries...   :drinks:
Bill

I think I appreciate where you are coming from. Just yesterday I was considering the very few instances when I could have applied the horn. Mostly it's a tool to express "disatisfaction" after the fact or to claim lane space, which on a motorcycle is a dumb idea. When I am really in peril, reaching for the horn button is about the last thing on my mind. That goes for driving any vehicle. Kinda busy avoiding being killed, you know?

I've had two cars taken out by oncoming cars in my lane. Both drunks. One got away while I evaded and totaled my car (his T-bird against my Corolla - no contest) The other was a 1978 Mercury Marquis against my Toyota Tercel. I've driven a 70's Mercury Marquis. Definitely no contest!! He ripped down my left side bodywork. That driver got arrested on the spot for impaired. That was a nice consolation. Neither of these winners would have responded to a horn in their state.

I had air horns on my hatchback way back when, but I removed them. When they are too loud, I noticed pedestrians freeze where they are instead of moving. Even if they are in the middle of the road. Not the response I am after.
The FJ is getting a new "nautilus shell" style horn but that's about it.