replacing my horn

[rlsapp]

ok, my horn has finally died and now it is time to replace the stock one(s), not sure how many there are. I am wanting to keep it simple to replace it with new and better sounding horn. What is a great horn for the money, and to keep it simple replacing the stock one?

[cbx4evr]

Most folks go with some sort of air horn. There were a couple on my bike when I bought it that I removed. Didn't like the look. I would prefer something that fits in the OEM location or that is not visable.

[rlsapp]

And I also like the idea, but I dont like the horns sticking out from the side or under the bottom. I like the OEM location to, but maybe a sound change would be great.

[TennX]

I dont even know where the horn is (yet) on my new to me 1500, but it sounds just like the one I replaced on my vtx 1300, with a couple of hi tone/lo tone freeway blasters , hooked thru a relay....just a suggestion , good luck

[cbx4evr]

The horns, there are 2, are on each corner, behind the grille cut out, in the lower front cowl. If you get down on your knees you can see them through the slots.

[WingAdmin]

I tried replacing my OEM horns with a set of FIAMM Freeway Blasters like I had on my 1100. It was a LOT of work making brackets that would mount them into the OEM positions, and when I finally got it done, all I got was a weak "wheep" noise, as apparently the FIAMM's depend on the flexibility of their brackets to provide resonance - and bending them all around to get them to fit killed that resonance.

So I ended up just putting the OEM horns back. The PO had mounted a set of air horns on the right side and disconnected the OEM horns. I decided to put a 30 amp relay in there to control them all, and hooked the OEM horns back up along with the air horns. It's now very loud.

[NKYWinger]

I replaced the weak factory horns with a WOLO Bad Boy horn. It was rather simple to fabricate a bracket that mounted to the factory bolt holes that tucked the horn up out of the way of the front fender. I mounted the relay under the false tank. MUCH better now!
Don't be put off by wanting to look stock; it isn't that difficult.

[dingdong]

I believe the 1800 horns will also fit. They are much louder than the 1500 horns.

[rlsapp]

if the weather permits this weekend, ( they are calling for servere rain), I am going to replace them, the reply's have been helpful, so I will let you know the outcome. Keep the ideas coming, it will help me decide what to do....THKS.

[Phunnybone]

Found the WOLO bad boy horns at Harbor Freight for less than $40 (vs the $50+ you'll pay online).

[NKYWinger]

^^^^^^ prolly the biggest bang for the buck....imho

[rlsapp]

I will checkout Harbor Freight....we have one in Savannah, Ga about 50 mls from me, but HF is a mans Walmart shopping.

[NKYWinger]

^^^ what he said..... that's where I got my horn

[johnvaudo]

I replaced the weak factory horns with a WOLO Bad Boy horn. It was rather simple to fabricate a bracket that mounted to the factory bolt holes that tucked the horn up out of the way of the front fender. I mounted the relay under the false tank. MUCH better now!
Don't be put off by wanting to look stock; it isn't that difficult.

Where did you manage to tuck them I am having a hard time finding a location behind the under fairing to mount them.

[Bluewaterhooker0]

I replaced the weak factory horns with a WOLO Bad Boy horn. It was rather simple to fabricate a bracket that mounted to the factory bolt holes that tucked the horn up out of the way of the front fender. I mounted the relay under the false tank. MUCH better now!
Don't be put off by wanting to look stock; it isn't that difficult.

Where did you manage to tuck them I am having a hard time finding a location behind the under fairing to mount them.

Pictures would be great

[NVSB4]

A friend of mine replaced his stock horns with Balkamp 730-1058 (low note) and 730-1059 (high note) horns.
They are both rated at 130 db and are the same size as the stock horns, so no modification is required.
They are available at NAPA auto parts for $13.95 each now.

I plan on replacing mine when I get around to it.

[Fiberthree]

Will you be taking and posting pictures?
I am on my third set looking for something louder than stock and not sounding like a VW. I had one set but had to cut the plastic on the horn in a "decorative" way to get it to fit. Unfortunately water got up in one and that was all for that side. back to the stock for now.

[NVSB4]

Will you be taking and posting pictures?
I am on my third set looking for something louder than stock and not sounding like a VW. I had one set but had to cut the plastic on the horn in a "decorative" way to get it to fit. Unfortunately water got up in one and that was all for that side. back to the stock for now.

Terry actually posted a YouTube video of the differences.


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[Mh434]

The NAPA horns sound pretty good - a definite upgrade over stock GL1500 horns, and they don't require major surgery for install. Nice! Cost seems reasonable, too (well, at least in the US - not so much here in Canada, I expect).

[NVSB4]

The NAPA horns sound pretty good - a definite upgrade over stock GL1500 horns, and they don't require major surgery for install. Nice! Cost seems reasonable, too (well, at least in the US - not so much here in Canada, I expect).

Since you have the model number and they come from an auto parts store, you may be able to find them local.
Either that, or pick up the next time you are over in Washington.

[Bluewaterhooker0]

These horns, both high and low tone, make an easy drop-in replacement for the OEM horns as well. But, they don't sound a lot better than the "VW" stock horns. I'm wanting to see how the WOLO Bad Boys were installed with all plastics in place. Maybe I should just buy one, and try the fit. keep in mind that a relay would probably be required for the Bad Boy version, as it draws 16A each according to specs, compared to about 5A each for the 'stock' version.

[wellman]

Bluewater,
I just finished mounting a WOLO Bad Boy 419 on my 2000 GL1500SE this afternoon. This is really a loud horn, will surely be an attention getter! Had the same question, where to mount this horn. No room I could find in the under fairing, did not have room to put above fender, did not want to use zip ties or have to fab a bracket.
Here is what I ended up doing and without modifying any of the plastics.
- Removed lower cowling to access horn and existing wiring
-Remove headlight adj. knob
-Remove left side fairing pocket
-Attach 2 wires to existing horn connections and fish up to the cavity under fairing pocket
-Use relay provided with horn unit. This is required due to the voltage and amperage needed to power the horn unit
-I powered the relay from a fused circuit previously ran for the power port installed in the fairing pocket
-The unit itself fit nicely in the forward cavity of the fairing. I used heavy duty velcro to attach so horn unit would not roll/ bounce around
-Seems to be firmly in place
-Reinstall the pocket, adj and lower cowling.

You can see in the picture the final install. I pulled the pocket back out after reading your post this afternoon for the pic. Everyone likes to see pictures. Pic does really show how far the horn unit is up in the cavity. Plenty of room to put the pocket in.
Bought the WOLO Bad Boy 419 at Harbor Freight for about 30 bucks after using the disc coupon. Not a bad deal, see how long it lasts.

Hope this helps!

[Bluewaterhooker0]

Bluewater,
I just finished mounting a WOLO Bad Boy 419 on my 2000 GL1500SE this afternoon. This is really a loud horn, will surely be an attention getter! Had the same question, where to mount this horn. No room I could find in the under fairing, did not have room to put above fender, did not want to use zip ties or have to fab a bracket.
Here is what I ended up doing and without modifying any of the plastics.
- Removed lower cowling to access horn and existing wiring
-Remove headlight adj. knob
-Remove left side fairing pocket
-Attach 2 wires to existing horn connections and fish up to the cavity under fairing pocket
-Use relay provided with horn unit. This is required due to the voltage and amperage needed to power the horn unit
-I powered the relay from a fused circuit previously ran for the power port installed in the fairing pocket
-The unit itself fit nicely in the forward cavity of the fairing. I used heavy duty velcro to attach so horn unit would not roll/ bounce around
-Seems to be firmly in place
-Reinstall the pocket, adj and lower cowling.

You can see in the picture the final install. I pulled the pocket back out after reading your post this afternoon for the pic. Everyone likes to see pictures. Pic does really show how far the horn unit is up in the cavity. Plenty of room to put the pocket in.
Bought the WOLO Bad Boy 419 at Harbor Freight for about 30 bucks after using the disc coupon. Not a bad deal, see how long it lasts.

Hope this helps!

bad boy horn1.jpg

From what you're saying, I guess the sound is making its way out of that pocket with negligible volume loss. I need to replace mine again, and would like to upgrade from the VW sound. I've got a power point in that same area, for the same purpose. Very convenient. Thanks a lot for taking the time for the photo. That helps a lot.....and convinces me it's actually do-able. Thanks, again !

[wellman]

The sound comes out from many places. I had the same concern so I played with the horn a bit before installing. Not a lot of difference in sound after final installation. Does not sound muffled. Give it a try, not very expensive and the power is already there. It took me a few times of taking apart and trying to find a place to mount the horn. Once decision was made, maybe 2 hours at the most to finish install.

Good luck!

[rick.sheeley]

A friend of mine replaced his stock horns with Balkamp 730-1058 (low note) and 730-1059 (high note) horns.
They are both rated at 130 db and are the same size as the stock horns, so no modification is required.
They are available at NAPA auto parts for $13.95 each now.

Second the Balkamp work terrifc......