On the horns of a dilemma

[Mitch]

My latest problem... is that my horns don't work.

I understand from the Haynes book of lies, that most of the small stuff on the bike is run off a brown wire (or group of...).

Most of the small stuff I still have, such as front brake light, etc. all work. So in theory, I should be able to run a wire off the front brake light wiring...

Any other thoughts? :)

[lowrider]

I am no great shakes with electricky but i feel that it would depend on what load the horns would draw.

[Mitch]

I once tried running a switch off the main wiring loom the last time this happened (couldn't be arsed to sort it out), got one of those crappy switches that mounted on the bars.

When it rained, the switch shorted - eventually, it fried the battery (somehow!) :eek:

[Grav]

Can one still get away with using an old bulb horn ?

[lowrider]

Can one still get away with using an old bulb horn ?
Depnds on the age of the bike.

An audible warning device is usually an electrical horn. A horn is defined as an instrument, not being a bell, gong or siren, capable of giving audible and sufficient warning of the approach or position of a vehicle,

A motor bicycle first used before
1 August 1973 may be fitted with a bulb
horn.
MOT testers manual

[Mitch]

Can one still get away with using an old bulb horn ?
If I could, I've use that. Got one of them as a leaving pressie (plus loads of beer) from my old job! :d

[trikerdrew]

they do indeed run off a central brown wire.

Do you use both brake switches?

I never do :rolleyes:

Wiring from scratch from fuse box is other easy option.Or test live connection/earths.

9 times out of 10 my probs are earth related :D

drew

[Mitch]

Right-oh!

The Mitch patented circuit tester© otherwise known as a headlight bulb connected to two lengths of wire :D Shows that the brown wire is live and works properly. (so no fuses blown ;))

With the brown wire attached to the + terminal on one of the horns, another length of wire to earth - that worked OK. However, the other horn didn't work.

Back to the book... :)

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

the horn button is basically a break in the earth wire

does the horn have a small screw and nut oh the back ? if so,try loosening it off,then screw it back in 'till it sounds.if that does'nt work,it's proberbly knackered.

[hacky]

when the mot guy trys the horn,just sit on the bike and in your loudest voice shout" GET OUT THE FUCKIN WAY ...YOU FUCKIN TWAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
who needs a horn......lmao...

[Mitch]

when the mot guy trys the horn,just sit on the bike and in your loudest voice shout" GET OUT THE FUCKIN WAY ...YOU FUCKIN TWAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
who needs a horn......lmao...I like that one!!!! :D :D :D

the horn button is basically a break in the earth wire

does the horn have a small screw and nut oh the back ? if so,try loosening it off,then screw it back in 'till it sounds.if that does'nt work,it's proberbly knackered.
love the diagram! That shows what I did the last time the bike was on the road... with a little handlebar switch.

All I need to do now then, is to unscrew that nut on the back of the nearside horn, then when that works check the wires to and from the switch. Pretty simple really

[hacky]

yeah creatures got a point there,was getting the wifes ready for the mot and the horn didnt work ...couple of turns on the screw at the rear of the horn and presto....it worked.... :D :D

[Mitch]

Don't you guys ever read...? Hillbilly Deluxe said that 2 hours ago!

(and Creature... get that feckin' flyer off my post!!)











;)

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

you dont need both horns working for mot ,if adjusting the screw does'nt work,just take the horn off,as long as one works,thats ok.

[contail]

mitch. if memory serves me right. your not far from me ?. if you need to you can borrow my horn for mot. i only use it for mot as the straight through pipe is so much louder ( specialy in hurst green at 5.30 am lol).

[Grav]

Right, my horn wasn't working properly (the bike one, not me dick.... :D ) and after a jolly good soaking with WD40 to loosen up the crap, I carefully took it apart, cleaned it and then put it back together and hey Presto!

Hillbilly is spot on though, you only need one to work so take the duff one off till you can sort it. :)

[Mitch]

aaar!! :D

Last night, I tested the brown live to a bulb to the switch and found that nothing happened when I pressed the switch :rolleyes:

Tonight, when I get home, I'm going to take out the two wires going to and from the switch (because they are 'new') test them with the bulb/battery/wire thing to make sure it all works properly (current goes through OK), then, stick a new black/white wire from the switch to the horn as that seems to be the weak link.

That should solve the problem - seeing as one of them already works. ;)

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

clean the switch contacts. :)

[Mitch]

clean the switch contacts. :)
done that already! :) I don't think it's the switch as I'm currently on my third switchgear [long story - threads passim] :)

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

if you know that you have live to the horn,just take a wire from the negative side to earth.if the horn sounds,then its ok,obviously.
the negative side goes up to the switch then back down to earth,when the switch is pressed,the earth contact is made.
i think that you should invest in a continuity tester,it's far easier than using bulbs and wires,if you use the bulb and wire method ,try this.

connect one wire from the bulb to positive of battery

connect the other wire from the bulb to a switch wire (as close as you can to the switch)

connect the other switch wire to earth

press horn button

if bulb does'nt light,it's the switch. :)

[Mitch]

I know... I've got a decent multimeter, but it just took a few minutes to make the bulb thing up than digging through all my tools, etc. just to find the meter (don't get home till 7 so only have half hour of daylight left at the mo). When I'm working at the weekend, I have more time. :)

Thanks Hillbilly, I'd planned to do all of this tonight! :D Will let you know in the morning all being well ;)

[trikerdrew]

your horn is found to be lacking(snigger).

Got one here that works fine :D

£5 for the postage.

Could wire it via relay so it'd work at lower voltage at the actual switchgear.

drew

[Mitch]

My horn (yes Drew, snigger away! :D) isn't the problem!

I had a bit of a Eureka moment when I was having my tea just now!!

A couple of years ago, I first had this problem with my horn :rolleyes: when I put my latest bars on.

The first time the bike went for an MoT in its present incarnation, I found that the flat bars I've put on the bike (using a Spectre top yoke instead of the crappy GT clip-ons) were touching the tank when I turned the bars so they caused it to fail.

I then got hold of a spare set of handlebar clamps - what Kawasaki lovingly call 'Handle-Holders' (the bits at the top, which you put the bolts into first), turned them upside down and then got two longer than standard allen bolts, put them through the original clamps, past the bars, through the second upside clamps and then screwed them into the yokes.

While it gives you an extra inch or so clearance and is rock solid for holding the bars in place, for some reason, the switchgear doesn't earth properly! :eek: (that explains why when I put the feeble VWP switch on the bars last time, I had to stick an extra wire from the switch to the top yoke to provide a better earth)!

So there you go! I'll have another look at my bars this weekend, so I should be able to MoT the bike next week!

[trikerdrew]

Fix one problem create two more.Oh ,life can be so creative in the way it makes things interesting. :D

Got the spectre top on my Gt750 as well.Don't like the clip on nasty things either.

Pleased you had a Eureka moment.

As for your horn dilemma-poor thing :rolleyes:

drew

[Mitch]

As for your horn dilemma-poor thing :rolleyes:
I heard a similar rumour in various pagan circles mate, but I'll keep quiet for a couple of beers!! ;) :D

Anyroad - after much farting about... the horn works and... yes, I admit, the switch was partly to blame (twas goosed after all!) but I swopped it for another one I had lying about. Job done.

Tomorrow, I mostly be taping all my wires up again and getting the beast to start. :)

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

good news :cool: