Horn upgrade (yes, I did the search first)

[white06S3]

I just bought a Fiamm HK9 RoadThunder from RideSafer.com

RideSafer.com

The site says

"* Low current draw (4 amps) allows the horn kit to be installed in most stock horn circuits. A new horn circuit is NOT required in most cases."

I want to make sure I don't cook the horn switch because I'm sure it's not cheap to replace. Last time I upgraded a horn (on my CB750) I did the whole wire-through-the-relay thing. When I did the search, it looked like most people were wiring through a relay and I had planned on doing that but then I saw the blurb about how this horn can be installed on most stock horn circuits.

Anyone know what the current draw of the stock horn is?

[Tee-Dub]

Pretty simple realy. If the stock horn fuse is 4amp, then just wire it up. Amps are amps.

[Catenaccio]

Agree with Tee-Dub,

I just wired mine in place without any problems.

[kuhlka]

I just got a 115db PIAA horn I'm going to try out.

[white06S3]

Actually, I thought of that, Tee-Dub. Problem is, the horn shares a fuse with the headlights (high and Low) on my bike. It's a 20.

Any way to know what the stock horn switch is rated for? I have a multimeter, maybe I'll just turn on the bike, hook the multimeter up and hit the horn to see what the draw is. Problem is, I'm not too sure how to hook up the multimeter to get the desired readings. I've only ever used it to check for continuity and to check the charging system.

Anyone know how I could do this?

[vinnyf]

No problem - but if your meter doesn't read AT LEAST 5A DC, find another meter before you measure.

Pull one of the wires off the stock horn. Hook one multimeter leads to the horn terminal that you've just exposed, and the other to the wire you've just pulled. Set the meter to read DC AMPS - on many meters, there is a separate place for the plus (red) wire to plug into the meter for "high" amp measurements. Hit the horn button. If the multimeter is analog, you've got a 50-50 chance of the polarity being correct - if it tries to read below zero, reverse the two leads. Nothing to be damaged. Digital meters usually don't care - they'll read either way as either + or -.
And there's no reasonable way to measure the capacity of the switch, AFAIK. But please let us know what you find...

Good luck,
vinny

[kuhlka]

Got my PIAA horn installed in the stock position. Looks decent enough and is LOUD compared to stock. Should be amusing harassing my buddies on sunday rides, hehehe.

[BUCKET]

Try pm to 1050pomme,i noticed he had a different horn on his but don't know what it is. :hammer:

[HiVel]

I have air horns on my bikes -they are really LOUD. STEBEL Nautilus makes two types one smaller than the other . Got em from Girots Garage. They really sound out and do require a relay. I like them!!!

[kuhlka]

Ok, my bike is a bit dirty but here is my PIAA 115db horn. I just unplugged the stock piece, shortened the bracket, drilled a hole, bolted it on, and reconnected the connectors. I'll need to use new connectors though as the stock pieces are a hair larger and fitting loose.

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