Motorhate Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Got a problem I noticed this morning with the horn on the bike. It won't work. Not sure where to start on this. I'll admit now, I'm not much of a mechanic but I don't think there's a fuse for the horn in the fusebox. Any ideas or any common causes of the horn not working ? ... (cue Viagra jokes!!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noise Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Start simple mate, take off the wires and clean up the conectors with some WD40 and the rough bit off the wifes kitchen sponge. If no luck then remover the horn and get two wires and connect it direct to your battery if it works then one your get the fright of your life and two you then know you have a wiring problem. Off the top of my head i cant rememebr if there was/is a fuse for the horn, my manuel is at home at the mo so i cant check for you but start off simple with cleaning the contacts and go from there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarke Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 The last time mine stopped working one of the spade connectors had come loose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slice Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 They either work or they don't, horrible bloody things to try and fix best bet the horn is knackered, as above test it wired direct to the battery and make sure you don't have your best under wear on as even when your expecting it it makes you jump !!! some might be fused but none of mine have been over the years so probably not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttaskmaster Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Make sure the wires are working and, if so, replace the faggotty little Dragstar horn with something more manly that lets car drivers KNOW they've been spoken to!!! These are nice: http://www.amazon.co.uk/12V-Snail-Air-Horn-Set/dp/B0042EWMFQ Most bike shops will sell something like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toutsuite Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Have you tried those Tasky? Can ye vouch for 'em? Might get 'em myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttaskmaster Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Not on my own bike, no, but three of the bikes at work have them and they are giggle-inducingly DEAFENING!! They were actually on my shopping list, before I had my mishap with the sump seal failure. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo666 Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 a transit horn is the business on a bike lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorhate Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 Tried a few things - I got a cheap replacement horn (118 db apparently) and it still won't work. I'm beginning to think I might need to replace the switch unit on the handlebar to get it working - joy!! Admittedly I haven't cleaned the contacts yet so that's next on my list and also to check the wiring into the two spade connectors. Will need to wait until I have some time during daylight hours to do this. I didn't realise how much you miss not having one when riding round London in the rush-hour! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noise Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Simple way to check the wires for the horn, get an old working indicator conect it up to the horn wires and push the button, indicator should light up if it does then your horn is at fault. If it dont light up then you have a wireing problem. If you aint got a spare indicator either remove one off the bike for two mins or find another spare light with wires thats to hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttaskmaster Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Give the switch a good few squirts of WD40 and press it lots in between. That usually helps clean these things up. If you're feeling handy, take the control cluster assembly apart and give it a proper scrub out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorhate Posted November 25, 2013 Author Share Posted November 25, 2013 Thanks for the tip Ttaskmaster's, I'll give that a go if Noise's tip on the indicator isn't working. Is the switch unit difficult to take apart? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttaskmaster Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Nope. Should just be a couple of screws on the back. Make sure you pay a little attention to the alignment when you're reattaching it, though. IIRC, your wing mirror is also attached to this, so be sure it's not twisted too far round the bar, if that makes sense? There may even be a little hole in the bar, that a stud on the cluster fits into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorhate Posted January 2, 2014 Author Share Posted January 2, 2014 Just thought I'd update you on the horn issue. Well I took Ttaskmaster's advice and squirted a load of WD40 into the switch unit. Nothing, dead as a doornail so resigned myself to buying a switch unit. For some reason, I was watching one on Ebay but never pulled the trigger on it and rode without a functioning horn (mind you, could have done with one on more than one occasion - bloody BMW drivers!). This morning, for some unexplained reason whilst riding down the A40 to work, I decided to try the horn and it actually worked. I was almost as surprised as the bloke in the car driving next to me. So it seem the WD40 did the trick. Thanks Ttaskmaster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toutsuite Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Make sure the wires are working and, if so, replace the faggotty little Dragstar horn with something more manly that lets car drivers KNOW they've been spoken to!!! These are nice: http://www.amazon.co.uk/12V-Snail-Air-Horn-Set/dp/B0042EWMFQ Most bike shops will sell something like this. Tried those. They work, but they don't fit the dragstar. Having installed only one (there's NO chance of fitting both), whenever I brake, the forks compress, the horn pushes against the front fender which in turn produces a scraping sound as the fender scrapes against the tyre. Waste of 8 quid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttaskmaster Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 There must be a way to fab up a simple bracket and place them somewhere better... But TBH, anything will be better than the Drag horn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toutsuite Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 It might be possible (not by me - don't have the tools or skill) to fab up a bracket that can place the horn closer to the engine to avoid the fender, but then there's the risk of overheating. Or placing it to the side (which will look stupid!). I think if I ever get the horn changed it will be to a specialised bike one (and therefore more expensive). Maybe something from HH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dt502001 Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Just reading this and thought I would pop in. most cars use horns of aprox the same size same voltage but are of the french horn ( musical instrument ) style, get 2 and wire them in together and you will piss yourself the first time you hit the button.But everyone else around you will too. So a quick trip to the auto wreckers and a few bucks and presto you got train loud horns. PS: they also come with the same style bracket to mount to the forks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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