Horn dilemma

[GzrGldGeo]

I have a horn dilemma.

I have to get an inspection sticker before the end of the month, so time is a little tight.

My horn has been messed up quite some time and now that it is time to get an inspection I thought I would take a look to see what the issue is.

The horn makes a little popcorn fart sounds that is low decibel and very short duration and then won't make any sounds after that. If it sits a long time you can get the one popcorn fart sound and then nothing.

So do I.....
1) Get a new stock horn and put it on myself?
2) Get a better/louder horn like the Harley upgrade, Stebel Horn (sp?), or a Kuryakin (sp?)
3) I checked fuses etc it appears to be just a bad horn. (not sure why it would go bad). Do you think it is something other than the horn?

What is your best advice on how to proceed?

[Blackpearlultra]

You may want to first check and make sure it's not a bad ground connection. If it's making a grunt it's getting power but may just be a shitty ground.

[GzrGldGeo]

Originally Posted by Blackpearlultra

You may want to first check and make sure it's not a bad ground connection. If it's making a grunt it's getting power but may just be a shitty ground.

Thanks.

I took her apart and other than the one obvious ground points under the seat, I didn't see any others or anything loose.

Was there any place special you had in mind to check the ground?

[Blackpearlultra]

No just as long as it is a good connection thats all that matters. The only other thing is to put a meter on the lines to check and make sure your getting voltage continually and not a bad switch. A buddy of mine just replaced his, the coil had gone in it. If you replace it you should get one of those annoying air horns so you can drive all your Friends nuts!!!

[GzrGldGeo]

I will keep checking stuff. I have come to the conclusion I will get an aftermarket. I think this one is shot. It couldn't have been used 10 times.

I am wondering which aftermarket is best. The Stebel and the Woho Bad Boy come up a lot. I think JC Whtney has maybe a 3rd, I don't recall right now.

Does anyone recommend an aftermarket horn??

Thanks BPU

[curley725]

George sometimes they just go away :roll: .... I'm not familar with the other horns you talked about... HD makes an upgraded horn that's realy loud... You may want to ck it out... When mine goes and it will that's what i'm getting...

Curley

[Horse]

Is the old horn really bad? If you have it off the bike run a simple test to a 12 volt source. If it works you may have a power to horn (bike wiring) problem,
if the horn fails, get a new one.

[Mominatrix]

Originally Posted by Horse

Is the old horn really bad? If you have it off the bike run a simple test to a 12 volt source. If it works you may have a power to horn (bike wiring) problem,
if the horn fails, get a new one.

Good to see you posting Horse

[shadow]

I am inclined to agree with Horse and BP. Run a jumper from the battery to the horn to help isolate the problem. If the horn blows, you have a switch or wiring prob. The switch and wiring can be checked with a mutlimeter. I would put my meter on the horn, push the button and observe the meter. It should read a constant voltage (little or no fluctuation) if not, you may have corroded contacts in the switch. if this is the case, a contact cleaner may solve the problem. I also agree that abad ground can also be the problem and bad grounds can drive you crazy. You are not dealing witha complex circuit. If you only have one wire going to the horn, that would be your power wire (from the button). this means the groung for the horn is through the bracket that holds the horn on the bike- clean the bracket and frame where the bracket attaches to the bike. Don't know if this helps, but if you need anything else, call me.

[GzrGldGeo]

As it gets warmer I will jump it and meter it out. I don't see how it could have went bad. I bet it wasn't blown 10 times, usually at buzzards.

It does have 2 wires to the horn. A black wire and a striped wire.

I don't see any good aftermarket horns that will go on the same mount. You have to relocate and/or rig up some type of mount.

Oh well, it needs to be fixed. I do need an inspection sticker though too. No big ride plans any time soon anyway.

I appreciate the help and will keep you posted.