Horn choice

[montmil]

I believe most everyone is in agreement that the stock OEM horn on the R65 is just a small step up from my old Schwinn's plastic squeeze bulb.

I'd like to replace the stocker with just one Freeway Blaster-style horn. My question is: Which would y'all recommend; the high or low note horn?

I recall reading someone's suggestion on choices but I've slept since then... A little guidance, please.   Monte  

[Bob_Roller]

I would suggest the lower frequency, more 'truck like', possibly more intimidating .

Check out the air horns at Harbor freight, they usually have one by 'Bad Boy' or something like that, for about $35 .

You need to run a dedicated fused wire from the battery, as the stock wiring is only useful for operating a relay, to activate the air horn .

[nhmaf]

I'm still a fan of the hi/lo dual FIAMMs, as I've written up in the wiki article.   The two tones give is a very classy 'euro' type sound, IMHO.

[weasel01]

High frequencies are predominantly directional while low frequencies are predominantly omnidirectional.


My horn rocks?...scared the shit out of me the first time I hit it.


Maybe your horn is worn out?

I rode in thru town the other day with a guy on a 1972 R75 and when he came up behind me he beeped his pitiful sounding horn (sounded like "the roadrunner" under water) ...made me realize how strong my horn is.


The replacement horn in my Bob's bmw catalog doesnt look like the one on my bike though, mine has a solid ring diffuser cone (all black) and the replacement has an integrated grill (metal cover with slots cut)

[Justin B.]

amp. some came (or were fitted) with Fiamms and others came with what is best described as an overgrown buzzer...

[drewboid]

Check out the local auto supply stores - I found a single unit air horn that includes the compressor and both high and low tones in one piece. It fit in the old location too. It was a cheap off-brand but it is LOUD which is what I wanted. A relay feeding power straight from the battery (via a fuse of course) is also a great idea.

[Altritter]

Justin: <amp. some came (or were fitted) with Fiamms and others came with what is best described as an overgrown buzzer...>

I've never heard the horns on other R65s, so I don't have a standard against which to compare. (VaSteve might be the only R65 owner near my home, and we've not had occasion to meet.)

The horn on my '81 sounds similar to a loud Americon multinote-chord automobile horn (though it's not a multiple-enclosure design). I haven't found a manufacturer's stamp, so I don't know the brand and model.

If anyone is familiar with the horn on my bike (from my admittedly inadequate description), is there a better alternative?

John

[Justin B.]

Need a pic...

[weasel01]

I have the overgrown buzzer type. and it's loud

[Justin B.]

The "disc" type are surprisingly loud, for what they are, but the dual Fiamms that are on the bigger bikes (and fitted to some r65s) are so much louder it's scary!  The funny thing is that Suraklyn's '05 R1200ST has what sounds like the "disc" type!!  

[nhmaf]

There are also some 'disc' type FIAMMs available for sale that are as loud as the "snail shell" ones - I've seen them for sale in some Kawasaki Concours circles - they are basically a drop in replacement for the stock KAwasaki horns behind the grille at the top/front of the fairing (basically where the  parking light is on the RT fairing).   The stock Kawasaki horns on the Concours are not nearly so wimpy as the stock airhead horn, but the FIAMM set is still louder.

[montmil]

It's time for the horn install...  Thanks for the responses to my horn query plus Mike's reminder regarding his Wiki posting. All good info.

Purchased a FIAMM low-tone horn at Pep Boys plus a relay and an in-line blade-style mini fuse holder from NAPA. All other wiring and terminal bits are in the shop.

I have taken the best points from NH Mike's Wiki and Airhead Joe Cuda's article, run them through the Cuisinart and came up with an install specific to my R65 needs.

Back home, I tested the new horn by jumping the terminals to a motorcycle battery. Scared the punk outta me as I was not expecting the 130dB-rated horn to be that loud.

I'll post a couple photos upon completion.     Monte

and a BTW PS:  I have enjoyed a week-long lifestyle of an R65 bachelor but my wife returns this evening from a lengthy business trip. I confess I have failed to accomplish several of the honey-dos on my list. I've gotta step away from the mouse and get my butt in gear... or I may not have one by tomorrow!  [smiley=drowning.gif]


      

[beemer]

It's time for the horn install...  Thanks for the responses to my horn query plus Mike's reminder regarding his Wiki posting. All good info.

Purchased a FIAMM low-tone horn at Pep Boys plus a relay and an in-line blade-style mini fuse holder from NAPA. All other wiring and terminal bits are in the shop.

I have taken the best points from NH Mike's Wiki and Airhead Joe Cuda's article, run them through the Cuisinart and came up with an install specific to my R65 needs.

Back home, I tested the new horn by jumping the terminals to a motorcycle battery. Scared the punk outta me as I was not expecting the 130dB-rated horn to be that loud.

I'll post a couple photos upon completion.     Monte

and a BTW PS:  I have enjoyed a week-long lifestyle of an R65 bachelor but my wife returns this evening from a lengthy business trip. I confess I have failed to accomplish several of the honey-dos on my list. I've gotta step away from the mouse and get my butt in gear... or I may not have one by tomorrow!  [smiley=drowning.gif]


      

Did you know all those low notes from that horn will attract bull frogs?and your yard will be full of them

[philbrown]

I've done this on every bike I've owned for the past 15 years. Go to the wreaking yard and get a pair of horns from a mid 70s Cadillac. Cost should be a dollar. Get a relay from the auto parts store, cost a couple of dollars, mount 'em, wire it up and watch the cars in front of you part like the Red Sea in front of Moses.
Phil Brown

[montmil]

...Go to the wreaking yard and get a pair of horns from a mid 70s Cadillac. Cost should be a dollar. Get a relay from the auto parts store, cost a couple of dollars...

Too funny, Phil

I checked your profile. You and I are the same age and evidently we both are still shopping in the 70's.

The few "wreaking" yards around here have moved up the food chain price-wise. For a buck, they let you pet the office cat! And even chinese import relays at AutoZone will set you back on your heels, price wise.

The closest Pull-A-Part to me is a good 1.5 hour drive each way and you'd better be packing heat for the neighborhood. It'll take five bucks for some kid to watch your car, meester? so the locals don't casually pull apart your ride home.

Remember the line in World's Fastest Indian, "Open your wallet, old man, and let the moths fly out." That be me!  [smiley=3stooges.gif]

Welcome to the herd, Phil. Maybe you'll take some of the heat off that Justin and Bengt Mike lay on me for being... frugal, not cheap.

Monte