Horn woes
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 800
Likes: 407
From: Middle Tennessee
Horn woes
This has probably been addressed many times but here we go again.
I was in traffic earlier today and stopped behind a car that had a green turn signal but was not moving. I gave a friendly tap of my horn to get the driver focused on the light and instead of a honk I got a meep.
If there is one thing I will never understand it is why HD cannot come up with a decent sounding horn that really fits the image of American iron and gets some attention. I own a first generation Miata that has a more robust horn. I am ready to go aftermarket and need some advice from others that have solved this problem.
My situation is a little different than most, I am running Wards cooling fans that hang on my cowbell bracket. I would like a horn that will fit under the cowbell but need to be careful not to add any more weight to the bracket. I am not opposed to mounting one elsewhere but I have not been able to find one that is compact enough and sufficiently loud. I seldom use the horn, most use is as noted above, getting a distracted drivers attention.
Any advice and personal experience is appreciated.
I was in traffic earlier today and stopped behind a car that had a green turn signal but was not moving. I gave a friendly tap of my horn to get the driver focused on the light and instead of a honk I got a meep.
If there is one thing I will never understand it is why HD cannot come up with a decent sounding horn that really fits the image of American iron and gets some attention. I own a first generation Miata that has a more robust horn. I am ready to go aftermarket and need some advice from others that have solved this problem.
My situation is a little different than most, I am running Wards cooling fans that hang on my cowbell bracket. I would like a horn that will fit under the cowbell but need to be careful not to add any more weight to the bracket. I am not opposed to mounting one elsewhere but I have not been able to find one that is compact enough and sufficiently loud. I seldom use the horn, most use is as noted above, getting a distracted drivers attention.
Any advice and personal experience is appreciated.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,810
Likes: 3,809
From: Cape Cod
Got the same problem as the OP......wards fans ..........been looking at some air horns but worried the bracket would interfere with the wards fans, which I'm not willing to remove.
The 2017 horn you speak of is the SAME part number of the 2007 horn that is in my bike, so not willing to buy a $45 horn that is the exact same thing as what I got.
I know there are some mighty mites horns that fit under the cowbell but see a lot of bad reviews as they only last a few months to a year then crap out.
SO................still searching......still embarrassed about the horn............
The 2017 horn you speak of is the SAME part number of the 2007 horn that is in my bike, so not willing to buy a $45 horn that is the exact same thing as what I got.
I know there are some mighty mites horns that fit under the cowbell but see a lot of bad reviews as they only last a few months to a year then crap out.
SO................still searching......still embarrassed about the horn............
I have the same problem. I tried a Wolo Bad Boy but it only lasted about 2 months and 1500 miles. Wolo replaced it for free but the new one lasted about the same amount of time. Harley engines just shake the hell it of them. I went back to stock and just rev my engine when I need someone's attention. People think the world is coming to an end when that happens. Lol
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 9,546
From: central NC
As mentioned above, the late model horns will get everyones attention, but I can never find the button in a hurry, especially with winter gloves on, so I yell a lot in traffic.
Really loud.
Really loud.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Theres an adjustment screw on the horn to maximize its sound. If its set too tightly, the horn will be weak. Too loose, and itll be harsh, rattling, or may simply click.
The horns can also get clogged with water. You wouldnt think so, because they face down. But it can get pushed up the snail shell, and the passage necks down quickly, so it doesnt take much water to strangle the horn.
The horns can also get clogged with water. You wouldnt think so, because they face down. But it can get pushed up the snail shell, and the passage necks down quickly, so it doesnt take much water to strangle the horn.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 5,076
Likes: 3,293
From: Plover, WI
Got the same problem as the OP......wards fans ..........been looking at some air horns but worried the bracket would interfere with the wards fans, which I'm not willing to remove.
The 2017 horn you speak of is the SAME part number of the 2007 horn that is in my bike, so not willing to buy a $45 horn that is the exact same thing as what I got.
I know there are some mighty mites horns that fit under the cowbell but see a lot of bad reviews as they only last a few months to a year then crap out.
SO................still searching......still embarrassed about the horn............
The 2017 horn you speak of is the SAME part number of the 2007 horn that is in my bike, so not willing to buy a $45 horn that is the exact same thing as what I got.
I know there are some mighty mites horns that fit under the cowbell but see a lot of bad reviews as they only last a few months to a year then crap out.
SO................still searching......still embarrassed about the horn............
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 4,244
From: U.S.A. Upstate N. Y.
Horn Woes
I installed a Screaming Banshee mini horn. It fits perfectly under the cow bell..lt is very loud, they claim 128 decibels and l have no reason to doubt them. It's plug and play, took fifteen minutes to install. It's a simple solution if you want to be heard.
