Car Horn on a GS? How to hook up

[tom42]

Ok new problem, my horn quit on me!!  It sucked anyway so I was wondering if I can put a car horn on?  Louder is my only goal not looks.  My question is how to hook it up.  It seams both wires are positive, one straight from the Battery and the other from the horn switch and no negative ( I could be wrong it was getting late).  A car horn has one terminal (as opposed to two on a bike horn) and a negative "body" ground.  Any past experiences?  I want them to hear me not read about me.

Thanks

Tom

[Tang]

i just recently hooked up a horn

the black wire on mine hooks up to the negative and the othe color wire hooked up to the positive i believe the color was brown i will try to get pictures up asap

[scottpA_GS]

Do you know its dead for sure? did you try having someone hold your horn button while you adjust the little screw on the horn in and out a bit? sometimes that gets outa wack and it stops beepin 

[starshooter10]

i dont know for sure but i want to put on a big ol car horn too

i HATE (like burning FIERY pasion) the high pitch toot these horns make

im going to install my extra horn for my car,... a for crown victoria!

[pronator]

The wiki knows all:

http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Horn

[GeorgesNjr]

know Stebel Nautilus Compact Dual-Tone 12-Volt Motorcycle Air Horn, 139 dB a.k.a Brain defuser ?

be nice screamer horn

make Absent-minded drivers wake up fast   

[Trwhouse]

There's plenty on the board about this if you SEARCH, rookie!!!!!

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23669.20

From my previous posts:

   
Re: LOUDER HORN MOD ?
« Reply #27 on: February 09, 2006, 09:11:37 AM »
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Hi SurlyBruce et al,
For horns, I have used Fiamm dual electric horns for 20 years and man are they LOUD!
I have always mounted to them to my bikes, from my 1975 Honda CB400F to my 1982 Suzuki GS550MZ Katana to my lovely 1991 GS500E.
The horns must be wired with the included horn relay otherwise you will burn out the horn button and wiring. If you need relay wiring help, I an post it in an easy to read GS500E wiring diagram.
I will take a photo of my horns mounted on my GS500 and post it here ASAP. I have them attached on the forks on the lower triple clamp bolts so they are up front where they can be heard with authority.
When I hit the horn button, drivers stop and look around for the tractor-trailer that they think is about to plow right into them, as I pass by cautiously.. Such a feeling of power!
Here are links:

From the Web site, RideSafer.com:
Fiamm dual electric horns, $32.95   129dB volume! These are the hot set up to me. I have tried others but these are the loudest electric dual horns and come complete with a quality relay for easy wiring.
http://ridesafer.com/store/item/fpcz/Horns/RideSafer_-_Fiamm_Dual_AM-80_High_Performance_Trumpet_Horns_Kit.html

Chrome version from Fiamm $29.95, 130 dB!:
http://ridesafer.com/store/item/ha2j/Horns/RideSafer_-_Fiamm_Dual_Chrome_Magnum_Horns_Kit.html

J.C. Whitney sells a no-name $21.99 version:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2009011/showCustom-0/p-2009011/N-111+600002595+10201/c-10101

Also Whitney sells a knock-off Wolo brand set at $24.99 that are also very loud: (and available in four colors to match your bike, yellow, blue, purple or red)
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2009009/showCustom-0/p-2009009/N-111+600002595+10201/c-10101


http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21192.0

   
LOUD horns...
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2005, 05:38:03 PM »
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Hi there,
I have been using deal electric Fiamm horns from Italy for over 20 years on various motorcycles and LOVE THEM.
They are LOUD. They make car drivers look around for the tractor-trailer they think is about to smash into them.
If you need help with the relay wiring, let me know. I have a good wiring diagram.
I highly recommend them. They need a replay to keep your horn switch from frying due to higher electrical load.
Here's one place to buy them:
http://ridesafer.com/store/item/ha2j/Horns/RideSafer_-_Fiamm_Dual_Chrome_Magnum_Horns_Kit.html
I've also seen a brand called Wolo horns that are similar at auto parts stores. Be sure to use a relay. If you need help wiring the relay, let me know. I have clear directions I can give to you.

Also, that Stebel Nautilus looks inviting but I'm still not sure if it can look OK on a naked GS500. I haven't tried one yet.

Good luck,
Todd

[tom42]

Ok, I hooked up an old (2003) car horn and it works great?  There are two wires going to the horn one is positve and is hot when you turn the ignition key, the other is negative and is activated by the horn switch.  I have used it a couple of times but want to make sure I am not screwing anything up. 

[sledge]

They way the horn on the GS is connected into the electrical system prevents you from using a grounded horn as a replacement for the stock item. A grounded horn uses its mounting bolts to complete the ground circuit through the frame and it will have only 1 terminal. With the GS, the horn is permanantly live with the ignition on and it grounds out through the switch to complete the circuit when the switch closes. Fitting a grounded horn to a GS will result in it being permanantly on with the ignition turned on.

Any 12v non-grounded horn of a similar size will be a suitable replacement if you dont want to make any upgrades like the ones Todd has mentioned. Some horns are polarised and must be connected correctly with respect to + and - to function. According to the schematics for the GS5 the black lead must be connected to the + terminal and the black/blue lead connected to the - terminal.........An unusual configuration because black is generally associated with - but in this case Suzuki havent followed the usual protocol.

Horns pull a lot of current out of the electrical system, if you fit a bigger and louder one than stock its possible that the switch contacts wont be able to cope with the extra current it needs and may burn or even weld themselves together...........this is why a relay with the capacity to handle the extra current must be incorporated in the circuit