Aftermarket Horn, saved by this fourm.

[robfriedenberger]

Thanks for this forum I was saved from a long hike, and possible loading my bike into my truck.

So the PO layed the bike down and installed a chrome aftermaket horn, that uses a metal mounting bracket on the left side of the bike (2004 GS500f), I removed the horn when working the the bike thinking of relocating it which did not happen.  After reinstalling the horn I found that  when it would beep it it would blow my main fuse, thus leaving me by the road side. Well after being kinda confused for about 10 minutes I realized that I really need to carry tools with me, and that the spare fuse holder is not the fuse holder (thanks to this forum).  I replaced the fuse and went back home. The PO wrapped the mounting bracket with tape to prevent this from happing which I removed thinking it was done for unknown reasons.

So heres the questions.

Where and how do the stock GS500F horns mount?
Do they use a metal or plastic mounting bracket?
I might relocate this horn any ideas on where?
I'm installing a round head light so I was thinking inside the bucket thoughts?

[radodrill]

The issue stems from the fact that in most cars the horn switch provides power to the horn (often by means of a horn relay) and the horn body is grounded such that you do not need 2 wires going to the horn.  In the case of the GS, +12V is wired directly to the horn and the horn button shorts the negative horn terminal to ground.

The stock mounting location in on the front left side of the frame just below the steering stem.  It looks like the original has a metal bracket with a rubber washer between the horn and the mounting bracket.

You certainly wouldn't want to enclose the horn as that would dampen/muffle the sound.

Edit: found this picture showing the rubber washers that insulate the horn from the mounting bracket.

[adidasguy]

Our horns are not grounded to the frame. That is, the horn is totally insulated from verything unless it is blown out inside. There are 2 terminals for the horn, no polarity for most horns. Heck, we let them dangle and touch everything.
The rubber mount is for physical isolation so the horn would sound better. Horns can be mounted anywhere. I'll run out and take a few pictures. Back in a moment.

[adidasguy]

Various horns.
All are insulated (electrically isolated) so the horn itself does not connect to either terminal.






OEM "F" model horn


OEM "E" model horn

[robfriedenberger]

Wow thanks for all the input! Well heres what I know maybe this will help you help me.

One of terminals is ground, (has no resistance between that terminal, the body of horn, and the mounting bracket) (wrong horn?)
When connected one way; horn is constantly on (mounted )
When connected other way horn is off but blows fuse when used (mounted )
Works fine either way when not mounted.

I was able to mount it further up the bracket IE just pull out on it and tighten it for now it seams to work this way.


BTW: LED fuses are the best things to find out if your fuse it popped before taking off the cap to get to it! Highly recommend them!

[adidasguy]

Buy a new horn. Never had a bike horn where one terminal was shorted to the case.
Plenty on amazon. Harbor Freight, too.
Get one that doesn't need a relay. Many don't. Buy a dual one. You can mount just one if you want, or both.

[robfriedenberger]

Yeah, I really didn't care for it any ways it was the only chrome thing in the bike    kinda wondering what the PO was thinking . I have to order a few goodies from amazon for my new bars so thats just one more thing to add to the list.

Thanks for the input!!

[Atesz792]

Various horns.
All are insulated (electrically isolated) so the horn itself does not connect to either terminal.

And here I was wondering what these things were when I saw your "Hushky" pics. Well, I guess now I know
Do they sound as badass as they look?

[adidasguy]

Let's just say that others at the West Seattle Bike Cave prohibit me from testing the horn. 

[Atesz792]

 

[radodrill]

Let's just say that others at the West Seattle Bike Cave prohibit me from testing the horn. 

Now we need a linky to this awesomesauce horn so we know what will get us noticed on the road 

[adidasguy]

Nothing beats sounding like a farkling 16 wheeler when you gotta honk your horn!

Here are some links. PIAA is nice. They are on 2 of the bikes and are black.
http://www.amazon.com/PIAA-85115-Superior-Bass-Horn/dp/B0060ZB43G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1389827437&sr=8-3&keywords=piaa+horn

A cheap one like this is on HUHSKY and I didn't use the relay, but you can if your wiring is weak or your horn button getting old.
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-12-volt-electric-horn-set-99911.html

A few more
http://www.amazon.com/85112-115db-500HZ-600HZ-Sports/dp/B00079V5ZI/ref=pd_sbs_auto_1

http://www.amazon.com/85110-115db-400HZ-500HZ-Sports/dp/B00067BWBI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389827622&sr=8-2&keywords=piaa+horn

The air horn does require the relay. Suzi has one of these bad boys
http://www.amazon.com/Wolo-619-Big-Black-Horn/dp/B008J151H4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1389827723&sr=8-7&keywords=piaa+horn

http://www.harborfreight.com/bad-boy-air-horn-94117.html

[radodrill]

I might have to look in to adding one of those super loud horns

[adidasguy]

Bad ass horns are fun when you pull next to someone texting or on the phone and give a blast. They have no idea what is going on and look for a Mac Truck!

[Watevaman]

 Looked up some vids of that PIAA Super 400Hz. Sounds nice, might have to pick one up someday.