1982 XJ750 Maxim - horn "sucks"

Ok, the horn doesn't actually "suck" but it isn't nearly as loud as I would think it should be.

It actually sounds like there is something stuffed in the horn muffling it. Any faster then 40mph - you can't even hear it!

Any idea's? Or should I just look at a replacement??

Thanks

 

I put a pair of these on ....three bikes now
http://www.bikerhiway.com/stebel-magnum ... cedb1b4cc7

Fiam also makes some LOUD horns (in black) that don't look bad and will get you noticed.

Any of the loud ones will require a relay and it often included.

 

you can try cleaning the points with fine sandpaper and adjusting,i did it on my 750.carefully separate the tops,there is a paper type gasket. p.s.,run the bike or do it off the bike for full voltage,i have 2 on mine

 

The stock horn is only good for flirting with waitresses at the drive-in.

Desinger_Mike gave you one option. Also the Stebel Nautilus and Wolo Bad Boy (I think they're the same horn except for branding) are very popular.

No feeling as good as really waking up that texting cager in the next lane.

 

This is really something that needs a bit of discussion. You really need an attention-getting horn. Something on the order of "Ear splitting."

I know there's Members with stock horns that sound something like tapping on the bottom of an opened, empty tuna fish can with an over-ripe banana.

Arming yourself with a self-contained Air Horn or finding a spot on the bike for a compressor in order to have the dead awakened when you push the Horn Button and have real Air Horns blaring through all glass, sound-proofing, multi-speaker sound systems and interrupting the cell-phone conversations really ain't such a bad idea.

The trick is getting them wired to be triggered by the Horn Button.
You need a Relay.
Run a LOAD to the HORN from the RELAY.
Run a +12V feed ( fused & switched) from the Battery to the other LOAD on the Relay.

Now, you have to get creative.
The HORN Button GROUNDS the +12V at the Bikes HORNS Wiring to the Handlebars.
You have to take a FEED +12V Hot from the Bikes HORNS and run it to the RELAY's LOW POWER "Trigger" Terminal.
Then, find the GROUND Wire running to the HORN BUTTON in the Pigtail running from the Left Hand Controls in the Headlight Bucket and SPLICE the RELAY's Ground Wire to the Switch.

 

I used these: http://www.acumen-electronics.co.uk/cat ... rns,b.html The black ones, on my '83.

They're smaller and much less obtrusive appearing than the stockers, and BLOODY LOUD. They claim 134dB, although they're stamped 105dB to comply with EU laws. They are considerably louder than stock; I have the ability to test side-by-side.

The only drawback (if you could even call it that) is the "European" tone, like an Interpol siren. Abnoxious as heck though, they do get people's attention.

They're plug-n-play, although I did have to carefully turn them around on their brackets for the wires to hide properly.

 

Thanks all!!

Guess I have a few options to look over. I know I would like to have a LOUD horn.

 

I went with one of these on each of my bikes.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stebel-N ... ccessories

My local auto parts store has them for th e same price, in blace or chrome. They come with a horn relay, not a bad deal. They are really loud and will get you noticed.

 

Hey Fitz, anyway you can send a new link out for this? Looking to upgrade the horn on my 82 Maxim 750. Being that this post is 10+ yrs old I'm not able to find that product.

If anyone else has any other "plug-n-play" suggestions I'm all ears!

 

Get a pair of Bosch Peasant Warmers from a BMW - and use a relay.