No one wants to be 'cute' when they're angry...

[AxeYrCat]

I know because my fiance hates that I think she's really adorable when she's mad.

But I also know because I have touched the horn button on my Buddy.

Usually, when I hit the horn button, it's not because I'm wanting to say hi and wave at someone, it's because I want someone to know I'm there. In my opinion, anyone who hears the Buddy's horn is probably thinking 'oh! I just ran over a baby duck' more than they are 'Huh? WTF?!' More than likely, they don't even hear the thing, however.

So, I decided to fix that.

With one half of a set of Hella Big Reds (I took them off of my car when one of them broke -- how convenient that I saved them!). http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.jsp? ... search.y=0

So, for comparison, the Hella horn vs. the stock one:



I originally tried to use the bracket that came attached to the horn, but it ended up sticking out JUST too far for the front panel to go back on. I ended up using the bracket from the Buddy's horn.

This was the original attempt.


Here's what it looked like with the smaller Buddy-bracket:


And the front cover went on perfectly.

Anyway, the Buddy now has some bark.

Which is good, because I hate being cute when I'm angry.

[golfingirl]

I read some other thread that essentially said if you add a larger horn, it can surge the battery and threaten the chance of stalling out which could be potentially very dangerous. Any fear of that? Especially with the addition of an amplifier? How do you know you have enough power to run everything and be safe? Just curious.

[AxeYrCat]

I'm not the guy with the amp... All I've done is delete the DOT markers and a mirror.


But that said, no.


I'd like to tell you that I put a Volt-o-meter on it, but I didn't. My testing method was MUCH less scientific: I had the Buddy in my garage. I turned it on. I turned on a turn signal (to get as much draw as possible). I hit the horn. For an extended period of time. I probably angered my neighbors (it's a pretty darned loud horn). The headlight did not dim. Nor did the turn signal. Nor did it stall (or sputter, or any of that). Nor did I blow a fuse -- and that was my biggest concern, really... blowing *the* fuse.

Based on that, I feel relatively safe.



Also, I can't say that I understand why the Buddy would stall if there were an appreciable power draw -- it's not like it has electronic fuel injection... But I could be totally wrong about that. I know cars, not scooters, and I'm basing my theories on engines with big, fat alternators attached to them.

[mlee10018]

I have been feeling the same way and I tried installing the Fiamm horn and felt that it was not any better, just a different tone. But as of last night, I just installed the stebel air horn with a relay and now it is really loud. I don't think too loud because I only need to use it in short bursts, of course I can always really lay it on. I was worried that it might be too loud before I got the horn for the city streets, but now I think it is just right.

This place that I had ordered also comes with a wiring kit and instructions on top of the relay and horn(of course I still had to get extra wires so it will reach and mounting hardware)
http://www.bikerhiway.com/index.php?mai ... ucts_id=74

[AxeYrCat]

Wow! That's a frickin' awesome horn!!


That said, did you run the relay straight to the battery? Because that could definitely cause more draw than the system could handle...

[mlee10018]

That said, did you run the relay straight to the battery? Because that could definitely cause more draw than the system could handle...

The wiring kit also came with a 20 amp fuse that I wired between the relay and the battery. It is suppose to run to the battery because using the original wiring may blow the 10amp fuse that the bike comes with because the stebel horn draws more power than the stock. I have not had any trouble with it yet... Of course I don't really use it that much, I am just glad it is there when I need it.

Of couse you red horn is really sexy...

[AxeYrCat]

Of couse you red horn is really sexy...

Thanks.


Yours has more cojones than mine does. And that's a good thing.

I may end up going to something like that -- is it a high-pitched horn, or does it sound relatively authoratative?

The Hella big-reds sound like an angry vintage Porsche, and I like that.




Oh, and driving through a relatively industrial part of town this morning, I stayed on the horn for almost a full minute. Even letting it drop to idle, I noticed no draw on any of the other systems (lights, engine... well, that's about it, I suppose).

So, I think it's good as far as how much current it pulls.

[golfingirl]

I'm not the guy with the amp...

Sorry. Too many people on the forum to keep track of. Just curious because there are a few mods I wanna do, but not at the expense of safety!

[mlee10018]

I may end up going to something like that -- is it a high-pitched horn, or does it sound relatively authoratative?

Here is a link of the sound from a member of modern vespa Steve, he inspired me to put this horn in the buddy:
http://www.morrisgarage.com/vespa/stebel.wav

[AxeYrCat]

Kick ass!!

That'll get people out of your way.

[rickyd410]

That said, did you run the relay straight to the battery? Because that could definitely cause more draw than the system could handle...

The wiring kit also came with a 20 amp fuse that I wired between the relay and the battery. It is suppose to run to the battery because using the original wiring may blow the 10amp fuse that the bike comes with because the stebel horn draws more power than the stock. I have not had any trouble with it yet... Of course I don't really use it that much, I am just glad it is there when I need it.

Of couse you red horn is really sexy...

Is there any delay from when you hit the horn button, to when you hear the sound?

Thanks.

[lobsterman]

At the start of the range portion on the MSF last weekend, our instructor had us each sound our horn once (only time we did during the course). The horn on my Buddy sounded pretty lame.

Then he sounded the horn on his 21,000cc Harley Behemoth (maybe off a little on specifics there). I think he blew out windows in nearby buildings. Then he said "Now, that's a horn".

I would like something a little more substantial but don't want to get too heavy with it, a direct replacement of the horn itself with no extra wiring is what I am looking for. Oh, and it has to be cheap.

[AxeYrCat]

Is there any delay from when you hit the horn button, to when you hear the sound?

Thanks.

No delay on mine...

[rickyd410]

I have been feeling the same way and I tried installing the Fiamm horn and felt that it was not any better, just a different tone. But as of last night, I just installed the stebel air horn with a relay and now it is really loud. I don't think too loud because I only need to use it in short bursts, of course I can always really lay it on. I was worried that it might be too loud before I got the horn for the city streets, but now I think it is just right.

This place that I had ordered also comes with a wiring kit and instructions on top of the relay and horn(of course I still had to get extra wires so it will reach and mounting hardware)
http://www.bikerhiway.com/index.php?mai ... ucts_id=74

Oops. I meant to ask mlee with the airhorn about the delay. anything noticable mlee?

[smorris]

I"ve got the same Stebel air horn on my Vespa, and no, there is no delay whatsover. Install photos are over on the Modern Vespa tutorial forum.

I also have the Hella horns on my WRX, and the increase from stock to Hella on a scale of 1-5 was maybe a 2 or 3. The increased sound from the Hella to the Stebel is a 5. From the stock Vespa horn to the Stebel is an 11!

[rickyd410]

Thanks. I'm getting one.

Do I need to buy anything besides the horn?

[Keys]

Yeah...about the "don't want to be cute when I'm angry". I'd settle for vaguely humanoid in appearance when I'm angry.

--Keys

[ScooterMonkey]

Thx for the info. I just ordered a stebel for me, & 1 for my GF

[Bryce-O-Rama]

I've heard the Stebel, and it's the one to get. It's loud, it's instant, and it will make you heard.

My Lancia Zagato came with FIAMM dual tone air horns from the factory, and they are marginally louder than the Stebel, though much bigger.

[PasadenaSue]

I just read the theard about replacing the OEM horn with a better one and I was wondering what peoples' thoughts were on the subject now that you have had the horn for awhile. Are you happy with the upgrade? Anything to look out for?

Thanks -

PasadenaSue

[AxeYrCat]

I just read the theard about replacing the OEM horn with a better one and I was wondering what peoples' thoughts were on the subject now that you have had the horn for awhile. Are you happy with the upgrade? Anything to look out for?

I've been VERY happy with mine, though I cannot speak to the Stebel (I hear it's even more assertive than my Hella horn).

I'd definitely do it again. No question about it.

[mlee10018]

I have been feeling the same way and I tried installing the Fiamm horn and felt that it was not any better, just a different tone. But as of last night, I just installed the stebel air horn with a relay and now it is really loud. I don't think too loud because I only need to use it in short bursts, of course I can always really lay it on. I was worried that it might be too loud before I got the horn for the city streets, but now I think it is just right.

This place that I had ordered also comes with a wiring kit and instructions on top of the relay and horn(of course I still had to get extra wires so it will reach and mounting hardware)
http://www.bikerhiway.com/index.php?mai ... ucts_id=74

Oops. I meant to ask mlee with the airhorn about the delay. anything noticable mlee?

no delay, I am very happy with the stebel, it has come in really handy quite a few times already. I would recommend this mod for anyone interested in being heard.

[lobsterman]

mlee,

Where did you mount the horn? I had it apart Saturday but decided I need a crimping tool and couldn't quite decide where the horn itself should sit.

[Corsair]

The wiring kit also came with a 20 amp fuse that I wired between the relay and the battery. It is suppose to run to the battery because using the original wiring may blow the 10amp fuse that the bike comes with because the stebel horn draws more power than the stock.

Did you replace the 10amp with the 20amp or did you add it on and keep the 10amp in place? Where/how did you end up mounting the new horn?

[polianarchy]

Anyone want to split a pair of Hella big reds with me? I'm assuming they only come in two-packs. I'll buy it, you paypal me 1/2 the cost, and I'll ship it to you.

C'mon, whaddaya say?!

[cakeies]

sorry if this question can be found elsewhere... i did a search but came up empty...


Would making a modification like the horn installs in this thread void a warranty?

[EBee]

Hmmm...it occurs to me I could just buy a clip on air horn...wouldn't THAT be great!

[Elm Creek Smith]

Which Hella horn did you put in your Budd, the high tone or low tone?

ECS