Horn issues
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: London UK
Horn issues
Hi guys
I have a Harley Davidson MT350 and Armstrong MT500 Hella Motorcycle Horn and it sounds like a lost goose in the fog with a stinking cold, hence a pathetic honk sound that is barely noticed over the sound of my pipes.
Is this what these horns are like or does it require some kind of adjustment? This is kinda embarrassing haha
Any guidance will be much appreciated
Many thanks
I have a Harley Davidson MT350 and Armstrong MT500 Hella Motorcycle Horn and it sounds like a lost goose in the fog with a stinking cold, hence a pathetic honk sound that is barely noticed over the sound of my pipes.
Is this what these horns are like or does it require some kind of adjustment? This is kinda embarrassing haha
Any guidance will be much appreciated
Many thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Vibrating steel diaphragm horns usually either work or don't work. the only adjustment is for setting the contact separation threshold. The electro-magnet pulls the piston down and flexes the diaphragm down until the collar on the piston pulls the contacts apart killing power to the magnet which causes the diaphragm to pop back up making noise. It does this in rapid modulation to sustain the tone.
I dont think you could make them louder or change the tone but Im not a horn expert...maybe someone else can add to this?
Maybe check the ground and voltage to the horn to make sure you have no issues there.
I dont think you could make them louder or change the tone but Im not a horn expert...maybe someone else can add to this?
Maybe check the ground and voltage to the horn to make sure you have no issues there.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: London UK
Hi mate
That is very interesting, thanks. I guess it just the way it sounds then although someone did tell me that there was a tuning screw hole on the back under a wax resin substance. Maybe i will take it off and have a fiddle. i just wanted to check before i began taking things apart.
Really appreciate your info and love your bike!!
Ride safe bud!
That is very interesting, thanks. I guess it just the way it sounds then although someone did tell me that there was a tuning screw hole on the back under a wax resin substance. Maybe i will take it off and have a fiddle. i just wanted to check before i began taking things apart.
Really appreciate your info and love your bike!!
Ride safe bud!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Hi mate
That is very interesting, thanks. I guess it just the way it sounds then although someone did tell me that there was a tuning screw hole on the back under a wax resin substance. Maybe i will take it off and have a fiddle. i just wanted to check before i began taking things apart.
Really appreciate your info and love your bike!!
Ride safe bud!
That is very interesting, thanks. I guess it just the way it sounds then although someone did tell me that there was a tuning screw hole on the back under a wax resin substance. Maybe i will take it off and have a fiddle. i just wanted to check before i began taking things apart.
Really appreciate your info and love your bike!!
Ride safe bud!
Cheers!
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I retired from GM - Delco Remy and yrs ago we made all the horns for GM cars and Trucks..
I never worked in the plant that made them, As we had 17 different Plants that made most all of the Electrical components for them.
But what I do know that to get a louder sound from Horns, U need at least 2 Different NOTES.
If U put 2-3 or more horns of the same note U really wont get a louder result from them. So they have to be different notes..
As far as a single horn sounding fuzzy or emitting a poorly sound then it may be out of adjustment,, the screw may help the tuning,, or it may be getting water inside of it..
U need to check both of those..
Hope U figure it out. Here state side some OPT for Air Horns, Also there are other options for a single horn useage.. some claim over 100 Dbs, those should be fairly LOUD>.
.
I never worked in the plant that made them, As we had 17 different Plants that made most all of the Electrical components for them.
But what I do know that to get a louder sound from Horns, U need at least 2 Different NOTES.
If U put 2-3 or more horns of the same note U really wont get a louder result from them. So they have to be different notes..
As far as a single horn sounding fuzzy or emitting a poorly sound then it may be out of adjustment,, the screw may help the tuning,, or it may be getting water inside of it..
U need to check both of those..
Hope U figure it out. Here state side some OPT for Air Horns, Also there are other options for a single horn useage.. some claim over 100 Dbs, those should be fairly LOUD>.
.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Well I just got my new Covingtons billet horn in the mail and according to the instructions it has a tuning screw on the back...I guess there is such a thing after all. Its a small screw on the back with a jam nut.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: London UK
Thats interesting, i'll have a try this weekend and see what happens, failing that, i'll buy another one
Thanks again for your help - much appreciated :-)
Thanks again for your help - much appreciated :-)
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Former Sponsor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 10,968
Likes: 54
I had a horn that had this issue. I discovered that the ground bolt for the horn was loose. Tightened it up and it sounded better although it i difficult to know if your is working properly without hearing it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
I put one of these up behind the oil tank in frt of the rear inner tire shield.. works great, hidden and loud enough to make no paying attention morons jump when you hit the button..
