I'm Going to Get Loud

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:48 pm

I have just ordered a Stebel Nautilus Air Horn for my scooter:
http://www.bikerhiway.com/index.php?mai ... ucts_id=74

After recent experiences with vehicles and pedestrians invading my space combined with hearing about Bryce's accident, I want to be able to say I AM HERE more emphatically than the stock horn does.

GenuineSlacker · Post by **GenuineSlacker** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 5:50 pm

YAY! I just carry an air horn but whatever floats your boat. Hope you don't find yourself buzzing peds now...

GalacticFattPatt · Post by **GalacticFattPatt** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:06 pm

I have been wanting to do this for some time now too. I saw an AirZound horn that they make for bicycles, louder than an car horn, and you just pump the air into the can with a bike pump. Problem is, where to mount it. So give us an update on your mounting when you get it done, and maybe some photos too!

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:17 pm

GalacticFattPatt wrote:I have been wanting to do this for some time now too. I saw an AirZound horn that they make for bicycles, louder than an car horn, and you just pump the air into the can with a bike pump. Problem is, where to mount it. So give us an update on your mounting when you get it done, and maybe some photos too!

Will do. I am thinking I am going to do a couple of things while I am at it:

1. Re-do the wiring job properly on the turn signal joining I did with twist-on connectors and electrical tape. Take it apart and solder new wires in and use shrinky things instead of tape.

2. Paint the front plastic either navy blue or black with Krylon Fusion.

3. Install the horn.

If things go as planned (the plan is coming together in my head) I can do all three in a single morning spent in the garage and document it all with the digital camera.

I'll update this post when it's done.

Bryce-O-Rama · Post by **Bryce-O-Rama** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:18 am

The Nautilus Compact is a very powerful horn. It sounds good too.

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 7:06 am

lobsterman wrote:1. Re-do the wiring job properly on the turn signal joining I did with twist-on connectors and electrical tape. Take it apart and solder new wires in and use shrinky things instead of tape.

Have you checked out Posi-Lock connectors? I'm buying some for all my light rewiring. I hear they carry them at Pep Boys, but they're also available online. A number of MV members swear by them.

lou76 · Post by **lou76** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:05 am

have you measured to see if you can fit 4.5x4.5x3" under the lid? i cant imagine how you can cram that in there, but let us know if you do!!!

ScooterMonkey · Post by **ScooterMonkey** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 2:48 pm

You can make the Stebel Nautilus fit. I installed mine in the same place the stock horn was, & although it's a tight squeeze it does fit.

jess · Post by **jess** » Sat Jan 13, 2007 3:44 pm

I second the vote for the Posi-Lock connectors. They're not especially cheap, but they're very effective and re-usable. They can also be disconnected without cutting any more wire, so it makes wiring more flexible if you want to change something later.

They come in three sizes, and in regular and water-resistant varieties.

okc beer buddy · Post by **okc beer buddy** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:00 pm

[quote]2. Paint the front plastic either navy blue or black with Krylon Fusion.

Hey Lobsterman, have you painted it yet? I was just wondering; I have just finished a total-body-off paint job, using Krylon Fusion Navy. It looks great!! I am going to be posting a long post with pics, as soon as I take a few of the new Buddy in the sun. I just told my wife earlier that today I would like to get an "oohgah" horn, like on the old cars. Sounds like we have the same style of thinking.

Mr. Met · Post by **Mr. Met** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:50 pm

How much did that paint job set you back, okc?

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:16 pm

okc beer buddy wrote:
2. Paint the front plastic either navy blue or black with Krylon Fusion.

Hey Lobsterman, have you painted it yet? I was just wondering; I have just finished a total-body-off paint job, using Krylon Fusion Navy. It looks great!! I am going to be posting a long post with pics, as soon as I take a few of the new Buddy in the sun. I just told my wife earlier that today I would like to get an "oohgah" horn, like on the old cars. Sounds like we have the same style of thinking.
Can't wait to see those pics! The first blue Buddy, maybe!

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 1:14 am

okc beer buddy wrote:Hey Lobsterman, have you painted it yet?

Not painted yet, horn not installed yet.

While the weather has managed to become such that I can ride again it hasn't gotten warm enough outside to do the paint job and horn installation yet. I am hoping soon, most certainly before WKRP rally March 31.

I'd love to see your results in pictures.

Mr. Met -the Krylon Fusion paint is cheap at any craft store. Check it out.

okc beer buddy · Post by **okc beer buddy** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:53 am

To all:

The paint job set me back about $30. I ended up buying 5 cans of paint @ $3.99 each, but only used about 4 1/2. I also bought a spray handle attachment made by Rustoleum, I think, which turns any aerosol paint can into basically a paint gun. It lets you apply even pressure, for greater control; trust me, if you want to do a decent paint job, this is an invaluable tool, costs about $2.50. I'm about finished with my pic editing, and will put together a post. Here's a teaser pic for you:

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:44 am

Tonight I installed the Stebel Nautilus. Put it right where the stock horn is, like ScooterMonkey said. I think I will want to go back in and replace some of the wiring from the fuse to the relay for a better placement of the relay and fuse, and also attach the horn itself more securely, but it will do for the weekend.

It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Hardest part is figuring out what body parts to remove and putting the right screws back in the right places.

Anyway, now I am loud.

Just in time for the WKRP Rally.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:39 pm

At WKRP, AxeYrCat and I compared our upgraded horns.

As for loud, they seem about the same. The pitch is different, I really couldn't say which would be more effective.

At any rate, we had fun blasting our horns for no goood reason.

rickyd410 · Post by **rickyd410** » Sat Apr 14, 2007 11:12 pm

Can someone with the air horn installed show me a picture of how you have it mounted. It'd be much appreciated.

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 4:22 am

Stebel's Site has sound demos of the Nautilus horn.

http://www.stebel.it/stebel/index2007.htm

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:08 am

Horn Just arrived today! ANY help you guys can give will definitely help (electronics are not my forte). Also here's a scan of the instructions that came with the horn:

(yep... still needing help)

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:21 am

Corsair wrote:Horn Just arrived today! ANY help you guys can give will definitely help (electronics are not my forte). Also here's a scan of the instructions that came with the horn:

(yep... still needing help)

Well if no one else does in the interim, when mine arrives I'll post a "how to" with pics.

Here is a pic of my doing the signal mod. I did it with my pocket swiss army
knife and some wire nuts. [Did it ion impulse rather than with in-line connectors. etc. out of
my electronics/electrical tool chest]. Took all of 5 minutes. [guess it looks like it though].

I'll break out the soldering gun and shrink tubing later.

The horn is in there, the one you will be replacing.

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:27 am

ericalm wrote:
lobsterman wrote:1. Re-do the wiring job properly on the turn signal joining I did with twist-on connectors and electrical tape. Take it apart and solder new wires in and use shrinky things instead of tape.
Have you checked out Posi-Lock connectors? I'm buying some for all my light rewiring. I hear they carry them at Pep Boys, but they're also available online. A number of MV members swear by them.

Telegram for ericalm:

Me like STOP Me order some tonight STOP Me thank you for link STOP

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:55 am

Here's pics of everything that came with the Air Horn:

Tomorrow I'll be heading out to the scoot to try and make sense of everything.

Catalyst · Post by **Catalyst** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 3:39 am

Thanks for posting the scan of the instructions. I want to look them over. And I would dearly love a step by step for instalation.

I want a new horn, but I don't want to modify anything in order to fit it in. Plus, can the horn still be powered sufficiently on the 50cc scooters? I know I have less ability to keep the battery charged, due to the smaller engine, etc. so on. But, I really do want a louder horn.

I'm tired of idiots on the street. If I don't have people trying to plow me down because they think they have more right of way than I do, I have morons blocking me "trying to be nice" when the only nice thing they could possibly do is get the heck out of the way. (I'm starting to cheese people off just as much as they're cheesing me off on this base.)

I just wanna be left alone on the road.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 4:13 am

San Francisco wrote:Me like STOP Me order some tonight STOP Me thank you for link STOP

Awesome, huh? If you did order some, what gauges did you get? I've been haunting local stores for them (to no avail—some Pep Boys supposedly carry them), hoping I can get 'em a bit cheaper than from their site and I didn't want to plunge for the variety pack.

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 4:25 am

Corsair wrote:Here's pics of everything that came with the Air Horn:

Tomorrow I'll be heading out to the scoot to try and make sense of everything.

This job is as simple as it can get, but it's also easy for one to screw it up.
Above all else, best tip I can give is to treat the wires like a bomb you
are trying to disarm. Be sure of what you are doing before cutting any
wires.

You can try to tackle it if you want, but I'd wait unitl I post my how to
and pics. My "how to" posts are known for being very thorough, but
easy to understand.

See one I did on a Blackberry Forum site, that got worldwide attention
linking [sorry, don't mean to toot my own horn or digress]:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/general ... bly-2.html

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:04 am

ericalm wrote:
San Francisco wrote:Me like STOP Me order some tonight STOP Me thank you for link STOP

Awesome, huh? If you did order some, what gauges did you get? I've been haunting local stores for them (to no avail—some Pep Boys supposedly carry them), hoping I can get 'em a bit cheaper than from their site and I didn't want to plunge for the variety pack.

I found this site, that with shipping comes out to about 15 cents LESS per piece than tthe price per piece at Posi-Lock.

Custom sells a 4 pack for $2.00. The Posi-Lock site ends up being 66 cents per piece, but only if you get
45 pieces for $30 and also order over $50 so to get free shipping.

http://www.customdynamics.com/posilock_connectors.htm

HERE IS A COUPON CODE TO GET 5% OFF YOUR ORDER. Enter at checkout. VTXOA

Sidenote: There is a guy on eBay selling them and he says his are the least
expensive on the planet. But he is lying because his work out to 72 cents
each after shipping, which is more than the manufacturer site and way more than the link above:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ink:top:us

Sidenote: I don't like calling people liars and so I don't too often, but
notice the guy strongly advertises how expensive the Posi-Locks are and
that his prices are the cheapest one will find, anywhere, not just on ebay.

Update: I do not want to fool with this again or run out, so my order was
$104 for a sheetload of the various connectors Custom sells.

Bonus comment: Shipping was a flat $8.95 no matter if I ordered a few
packs or the amount that I did. IMHO that's cool.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 7:23 am

Nice, thanks. I can't wait to get to rewiring and doing the horn mod!

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:14 pm

Catalyst wrote:Thanks for posting the scan of the instructions. I want to look them over. And I would dearly love a step by step for installation.

I want a new horn, but I don't want to modify anything in order to fit it in. Plus, can the horn still be powered sufficiently on the 50cc scooters? I know I have less ability to keep the battery charged, due to the smaller engine, etc. so on. But, I really do want a louder horn.

I'm tired of idiots on the street. If I don't have people trying to plow me down because they think they have more right of way than I do, I have morons blocking me "trying to be nice" when the only nice thing they could possibly do is get the heck out of the way. (I'm starting to cheese people off just as much as they're cheesing me off on this base.)

I just wanna be left alone on the road.

Your 50cc does NOT matter, it's the voltage that runs the horn. AFAIK the
50cc and 125cc both run the same voltage. So you are OK in that regard.

This is a simple procedure, in fact much of the instructions can be somewhat
disregarded because on the Buddy the horn will be greatly protected inside
that compartment. [Many horns are not protected inside a compartment
they simply hang in the wind, so to speak].

I'll look at the space requirements, but I suspect there is someplace inside
the compartment where the horn will fit nicely.

I agree about being able to blast the loudest horn possible. I hope this
one fits my requirements. I tooted the stock Buddy horn
the other day at someone and the sheethead cager did not hear it.

If the one Stebel horn is not enough, I swear I'm gonna find space inside
or outside The Godfatherette to install two of those suckers.

Bonus Comment:

Not that I would do this, but check out this video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_YUTdsU3f2U

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Tue Apr 17, 2007 2:56 pm

Not that I would do this, but check out this video:

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:42 am

Are there any variations to the instructions I need to make when installing the horn in the Buddy?

ScooterDave · Post by **ScooterDave** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:21 pm

San Francisco wrote:Not that I would do this, but check out this video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_YUTdsU3f2U

I just found my birthday present to myself

Dave

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 3:01 am

Corsair wrote:Are there any variations to the instructions I need to make when installing the horn in the Buddy?

My Stebel horns [bought one for each Buddy] and the modulators for
the head and brake lights arrived today.

If no one gets to it before me, I'll do a pictorial how to, tomorrow or
on the weekend.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:34 am

I didn't get pictures when I installed mine because my digital camera was in need of a new rechargeable battery (since rectified).

It wasn't as hard as it seemed at first look at parts and instructions.

In my opinion, they were a little stingy on the wire lengths, but it can be done with what they provide. A good wire cutter/crimper and a screw driver is all you need, along with patience. Take your time and follow the directions.

rickyd410 · Post by **rickyd410** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 12:45 pm

San Francisco wrote:
Corsair wrote:Are there any variations to the instructions I need to make when installing the horn in the Buddy?
My Stebel horns [bought one for each Buddy] and the modulators for
the head and brake lights arrived today.

If no one gets to it before me, I'll do a pictorial how to, tomorrow or
on the weekend.

Looking forward to this.

rickyd410 · Post by **rickyd410** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 3:46 pm

Question:

Do I need to replace the 10amp fuse with the 20 amp that comes with the horn?

As always, thanks.

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 4:28 pm

rickyd410 wrote:Question:

Do I need to replace the 10amp fuse with the 20 amp that comes with the horn?

As always, thanks.

Yes, use the one that came with the horn.

Today it is going to rain, so I'll possibly get to my install this afternoon.

I kinda want to wait for the posi-lock connectors to arrive and to use those
on the job. Might do so, wait that is.

Also, I'm toying with the idea of installing the horn externally since putting
it behind the front cover will muffle the sound, maybe to the front rack.
But it may took too funky, so might not. But if I can make it look
like some kind of taser for cagers who misbehave, then maybe so.

Also, I have to install the modulators.

All in all, lots of work to do.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 4:49 pm

rickyd410 wrote:Question:
Do I need to replace the 10amp fuse with the 20 amp that comes with the horn?

There is no "replacing" of anything, except the horn itself. The kit comes with a fuse and you install it as described in the instructions.

rickyd410 · Post by **rickyd410** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 5:03 pm

So, I'll have two fuses?

I'm sorry if thats a stupid question. I just have no idea what I'm doing.

San Francisco · Post by **San Francisco** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 6:23 pm

rickyd410 wrote:So, I'll have two fuses?

I'm sorry if thats a stupid question. I just have no idea what I'm doing.

I have not gone in there to see what the setup is. But if there is an in-line
fuse on the stock horn, I'll be ripping it out. No need for two fuses.

Besides, I assume the Stebel 20 amp fuse is the recommended size for
the horn's load.

I'm going on a roadbike ride before it rains. I'll get back to this later.

I decided I'll do the install with wire nuts and change them to posi-locks
later.

I especially need this stuff because yesterday I really had a hard time with
the taxis and tourists. Lucky I did not have a long chain with me, to
whip the car hoods of all them fools.

rickyd410 · Post by **rickyd410** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 8:29 pm

I've got the horn all hook up, but am having a heck of a time getting it mounted.

Can someone who has it mounted please share with us how you did it? A picture perhaps?

thanks.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:16 am

rickyd410 wrote:I've got the horn all hook up, but am having a heck of a time getting it mounted.

Can someone who has it mounted please share with us how you did it? A picture perhaps?

thanks.

Any chance of sharing your install experience? I could use some extra help.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:24 am

rickyd410 wrote:I've got the horn all hook up, but am having a heck of a time getting it mounted.

Can someone who has it mounted please share with us how you did it? A picture perhaps?

I have mine sort of wedged in just to the right (as you face the open cowling) of where the stock horn was. It's not as secure as I would like, but it's not going anywhere once the plastic is back on. I will try to make it more secure later.

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:27 am

San Francisco wrote:
rickyd410 wrote:So, I'll have two fuses?

I'm sorry if thats a stupid question. I just have no idea what I'm doing.
I have not gone in there to see what the setup is. But if there is an in-line
fuse on the stock horn, I'll be ripping it out. No need for two fuses.

Besides, I assume the Stebel 20 amp fuse is the recommended size for
the horn's load.

There is no inline fuse for the stock horn. The fuse that comes with the horn is dedicated just to the horn, it needs more help than the little stock horn.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:49 am

the instructions say to attach the amp within 8" of the battery. Where did you end up attaching the amp?

rickyd410 · Post by **rickyd410** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:03 am

You have to attach the fuse that comes with the horn for sure. I just have it tucked down right by the battery. It's a snug fit with the relay and the fuse, but it fits.

The horn is another question. I had to rig it up. I used the bracket that came with the old horn, but I had to bend it up so the horn will "fit." I'm not happy with the way it's in there, but it seems pretty secure. The cover barely went on.

I'll post a picture of it tomorrow.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:09 am

rickyd410 wrote: I'll post a picture of it tomorrow.

Can you post pics of how you have the amp and relay wired as well?

rickyd410 · Post by **rickyd410** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 3:17 am

The white wires are on two of the relay brackets. The red wire goes to one, and the fuse goes to one.

The two white wires, and the red go from the relay to under the front cover.

krylonics · Post by **krylonics** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:56 pm

I'm considering the Wolo Bad Boy horn its very similar but smaller. Also not quite as many decibels.

krylonics · Post by **krylonics** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:00 am

So I'm not going to get as loud as some of you but its still a major improvement. The cowling went back on swimmingly.

BoneGirl · Post by **BoneGirl** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:20 pm

I have read all the threads on louder horns but I have found that in the time it takes to find the horn and blast it, you will need all your faculties
to slam on your brakes. An old woman turned in front of me today with no signal to alert me. I was going 40 mph at the time. I had to brake NOW. No time for air horns, just stop as quickly as possible. She was oblivious to me. This has happened so many times I have lost count. No amount of horn blowing would have made a difference. Just keep that in mind when you are looking to add horns, sirens, etc. The best thing is to keep your brakes in great condition and learn not to panic brake and hit the front brake too hard. I've seen a few of these events from fellow riders. The horns are great to vent frustration. I have found the same is true all the years I have been driving a car. I can count how many times I actually blown the horn and it made a difference in the event taking place (maybe someone backing out of a driveway or parking spot).

Modern Buddy

I'm Going to Get Loud

I'm Going to Get Loud

awesome

Re: awesome

Re: awesome

Re: I'm Going to Get Loud

Re: awesome

Re: awesome

Re: awesome

Horn vs ?