test bike horn?

[wayne242]

Is there a way to test a bike horn with it removed? Mine don't work at all, I normally do the throttle "hey stupid" thing but horn would be nice also.

[adidasguy]

12v is all it takes. A 9v battery MIGHT make some noise, but it needs 12v.
Jumper wires from your battery?
You can use a volt meter at the horn and see if you are getting 12v from the horn button.
Actually, on our bikes the horn is connected to +12 and the button completes the circuit to ground. So with your meter or a light bulb, check for +12 on one of the horn wires.

[wayne242]

Alright, I have to pick up a new meter tomorrow i guess. My old one says everything as current, even the garage floor  but its seen better days.

I'll try that, my luck is its unhooked some where near battery.

[adidasguy]

Nothing from the horn goes back to the battery. Check the wiring diagram.
It joins at the connector to the left hand controls.

[wayne242]

Alright will do, I'll grab a meter from store after work tomorrow and test it that way first.

[adidasguy]

Well, you MUST have a meter anyway. I consider it the basic tool for all electrical work. From checking battery voltage to tracing wires. It is a necessary tool for everyone working on a bike.

[wayne242]

Have one, but like mentioned above it went a little crazy from old age  Just been to lazy to get a new one, but hey i might go old school and get the old test light out

[adidasguy]

How about an old school analog meter? You know, sometimes they are better. You can see voltage fluctuations when the needle wiggles. Digital meters go crazy at unstable voltages.

Of course, you COULD get an oscilloscope!

[BockinBboy]

Interesting this came up... rode my bike the other day, and my horn wouldn't work.  I always hit it at least once on a ride, so I know it just now stopped working. I haven't had a chance to look into it yet, but I'm kind of hoping its the horn that went and not some small bit of wire... so then I have a real reason to upgrade it 

- Bboy

[jestercinti]

Of course, you COULD get an oscilloscope!

Now that's FUNNY 

[wayne242]

Seems a tad bit over killer

[adidasguy]

Seems a tad bit over killer

Yes, sadly I know all too well.....


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[jestercinti]

Karma Korn for that one Adidas.

What does the bike cave NOT have?

[wayne242]

Karma Korn for that one Adidas.

What does the bike cave NOT have?

haha, i was just thinking the same

[wayne242]

Anyhow back on topic. Seem the horn took a dump as i get current all the way to it.

http://www.lebhorns.com/eng/k70_electromagnetic_disc_horn.html

Its an item that can wait until later though.

[adidasguy]

Three ways to replace the horn:

1. An air horn. Loud! requires a relay (usually included)
2. Dual PIAA horns. No relay required. I just put these on Phenix. WOW!
     http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0060ZB43G/
3. Replace with OEM horn. I have a box of them. The 89-00 horns are louder than the 2001+ horns. Use the older horn if you can get one.


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[wayne242]

If you have any of those  89-00 horns and want to get rid of one pm me price. I don't really need anything crazy as i usually just use my throttle when I need to go "hey stupid" to some one. That seems to scare them more then horn

there is a few 89-02 GS500 Horns on fleabay cheap but i trust yours more then those people in fleabay with "sold as is".

[adidasguy]

Geeeee - I can't believe the price of some of them.
It should go in a box so it doesn't get damaged. Hows $10 shipped?
I test horns at 3am in the alley. If someone yells "SHUT UP!" then I know it is working just fine.
PM me address if OK.

[wayne242]

Geeeee - I can't believe the price of some of them.
It should go in a box so it doesn't get damaged. Hows $10 shipped?
I test horns at 3am in the alley. If someone yells "SHUT UP!" then I know it is working just fine.
PM me address if OK.

haha at the 3 am testing

pm info for you after this post.

[Janx101]

Alright, I have to pick up a new meter tomorrow i guess. My old one says everything as current, even the garage floor  but its seen better days.

I'll try that, my luck is its unhooked some where near battery.

.... Don't hate on the meter dude!! ... It's got a positive attitude!!