Horn upgrade guidance

Lineslinger · Jan 17, 2021

I need the loudest nastiest glass shattering "piss em' off" horn I can find.

When the texting bozo is drifting across and has me lined up with the back of a cement truck or when Mr. or Ms. $hit for Brains walks out in front of me with their face buried in their electronic gizmo I want to be able to offer them something to remember me by.

What have you installed or heard that my Commando will accept.
Looking for something low profile that...1, will fit in the original mounting position (ugh!) or...2, fit anywhere else on the bike.

I wanted to install one of the big beasts they use on the Northern Pacific Locomotive but they need a big ass compressor and require more than 12 volts.

What have you heard or installed?
Please include reaction of offender when horn was sounded.
If I sound pissed off and aggravated I am...guess why?

kommando · Jan 17, 2021

I fitted an air horn, a small one with compressor and horns in the same body, called Nautilus. Its behind the primary under the carbs sitting on the cradle.

ntst8 · Jan 17, 2021

After a similar incident I fitted one of Andover’s then current offerings a couple of years back. Not quite an air horn but pretty loud.

jbruney · Jan 17, 2021

I stuck a very loud round foreign contraption in the cradle mounted to the batt. box since I use a k&n filter leaving lots of room. A whole bunch louder than the stock pos. Sounds like a VW beetle/Toyota hybrid. Me likes and it gets their attention.

Triton Thrasher · Jan 17, 2021

When someone walks out in front of you, just stop.

texasSlick · Jan 17, 2021

There are any number of air horns, usually sold for boating use, that are a compressed gas can with an air horn that screws on. I have had one that was rather small, about 4 inches tall that made a big sound. These devices work by pressing on the horn, sort of like a valve on a rattle can.

Slick

EstuaryBoy · Jan 17, 2021

texasSlick said:
There are any number of air horns, usually sold for boating use, that are a compressed gas can with an air horn that screws on. I have had one that was rather small, about 4 inches tall that made a big sound. These devices work by pressing on the horn, sort of like a valve on a rattle can.

Slick

He can hang it next to the ashtray.....
(Apologies)

850commando · Jan 17, 2021

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118dB
mounted them to the coil bracket where the cdn reflector used to reside.
Nautilus 139dB

this is when louder is better...

concours · Jan 17, 2021

I use these on all my bikes:

Traditional Acoustic Devices - FREEWAY BLASTER AM80SX LOW NOTE HORN "F" - FIAMMCOMPONENTS

The Freeway Blaster is an excellent replacement for AM80SX trumpet horn or HK-9 disc style horns. Each horn is tested to assure maximum performance.....

www.fiammcomponents.com

It would fit in the original position.

jbruney · Jan 17, 2021

The Hella is quite similar to what I use. More than ample & easily tucked away without being obtrusive...... At least I don't have to tear the scoot apart for access.

Lineslinger · Jan 17, 2021

Triton Thrasher said:
When someone walks out in front of you, just stop.

Thanks TT. Never would have thought of that one.
Helpful input always appreciated.

Lineslinger · Jan 17, 2021

Thank you for the information and links.
I’ll post what I come up with.

ashman · Jan 17, 2021

I ran 2 air horns on my Norton for many years when I was young mounted beside the oil cooler on the front down tubes and compressor mounted near the battery, always woke up distracted drivers and when held on sounded like cop siren and fooled a lot of the mates when behind them.

Ashley

Stephen Hill · Jan 17, 2021

Re: the FIAMM horns. I recall going down this path years ago. I bought a single FIAMM, and discovered that it was anemic. They sell a low and a high note version, and just one horn didn't do it. I first tried a single low, then a single high, one at a time. I concluded that you need both the high and the low frequency for the full spectrum sound. As I was installing it in the original location, there wasn't room. So I gave up and stuck in a Japanese horn. Which buried away in the middle of the bike never works that well. Not to mention a total pain in the ass. The whole exercise was futile.
My point is you need a full spectrum horn (or two), and should mount it out in the open if at all possible.
If you decide to go with a decent electric horn, it would probably be a good idea to use some heavy wire and a relay. The gauge of the stock wire to to the stock horn switch is pretty light.

maylar · Jan 17, 2021

I have a Fiamm also, bought it at NAPA. Maybe not "piss em off" loud, but way louder than stock and it fit right in there.

Lineslinger · Jan 17, 2021

I don’t really have any desire to make anyone angry.
Just clearly get their attention.

I had a teenage girl step off the curb and into my my path with an SUV running up my backside. That driver “distracted “ as well
I spotted her early anticipating she might step out...she did. Just stopping was not in play due to the tailgater, distance, speed, parked cars, etc. etc.
She didn’t hear my horn due to traffic noise And the ear buds she had on.
I still get surprised at how nimble my Norton is.
I believe a louder horn woul have made her look up.

Scout63 · Jan 17, 2021

+1 on the Fiamms. You have to install both a high and a low tone and its better to run a relay. They are plenty loud. I haven’t done it on my Norton but have had this setup on my /5 for years. I hope never to lay eyes on my Norton horn again. When it dies I’ll just leave it there.

Torontonian · Jan 17, 2021

Derek Wilson turned me on to his zonko horn. The Steibel air horn with integral air compressor. With relay included. Doesn't care about polarity. Not cheap , got it on Amazon. Used it once on a drifting HWY. driver and he woke up but good. I'll have to relocate it in the spring , off the shock mount does not leave room for my new soft bags. Stay safe kids !

Yakatak · Jan 17, 2021

The tuned pair of Fiamms will cause vehicles around you to defy the laws of physics....as in leap sideways.

cliffa · Jan 18, 2021

I used to commute daily in and out of London and got so fed up with being cut up or folks blindly walking out in from of me I fitted a pair of Fiamm two tones, one each side of the headlight. The first time I used them I think I defied the law of gravity and almost fell off the bike. I was afraid to use them in the end for fear of causing a heart attack. (me). I seem to remember they were each 110db.

Horn upgrade guidance

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