Air Horns

[Greg Cothern]

Looks good Lawrence! 

[trapper]

Way cool, Lawrence.  I bet no one will miss you coming, now.  You know...you're going to beef up you hearing protection now....lol

[lragan]

Trapper, I am not actually going to leave all three horns on the bike!  In fact, I have already removed the OEM and the Stebel Nautilus.  I had 'em all at once so I could run a comparative test. 

It didn't turn out too well, because of the way the digitizing works when you create a computer file. 

I have been trying to upload the file, but the "upload file area is full" message cuts me off.  I think Greg C is having the same issue.

I have no concept of how the message board works, so I don't know what one does to solve this problem.  Someone will possibly have to go in and delete some of the older uploaded files, if there is not a way to archive them.

Anyway, I have the file captured and hope to make it available somehow.

[lragan]

OK, finally -- Here is the sound file.

http://home.austin.rr.com/lawrenceragan/Magna_3_horn_test.wav

The recording algorythm "normalizes" to the peak audio level it receives to avoid clipping or overloading the system.  Thus the horn sounds that are most noticeable (because they are most annoying??) typically have very high peak values, and the device turns the gain down on these sounds.

So, ignore the relative "loudness" you hear, because it is bogus.  You can tell about the tone and sound of the horns, but not the perceived volume.  Virtually everyone that hears the Nautilus and the trumpets "live" judges the trumpets "louder".

Either of the air horns will command attention.  Just a matter of personal taste, and cost.  The Nautilus cost $43 delivered to my door, while the HF is on sale for $13.

Enjoy!

[Magnum Magna]

It looks like I will be swinging by Harbor Freight tomorrow.

[hootmon]

Lawrence
I'd be interested to know where you mounted the compressor for the trumpets..
Thanx for the test.. My Wolo trumpets sound much like your HF's...
Just for esthetic's, I would swap out the clear/white air tubing with Black..

[lragan]

Hoot, I mounted the pump to the left engine guard, against the frame.  It is visible in one of the photos above.  I fashioned a clamp from 1/8 x 1/2 aluminum flat stock by bending it around a 1.25" mandrill after drilling holes in the ends.  The trumpets are mounted with thinner bar stock in the same fashion.

When I get back from NYC later in the week, I will take a photo of the bike with only the trumpet system installed.  All three horns make for a cluttered, confusing set of photos, I admit.

[DC Smith]

Guess I'll be the bad guy here, but those HF horns are seriously UGLY.   

[Greg Cothern]

I have some air horns on my Valk, they are hidden under the swing arm out of sight but WoW are they LOUD coming off the street surface!!!!

[lragan]

Guess I'll be the bad guy here, but those HF horns are seriously UGLY.  

You are right, Dan.  I prettied them up as best I could, to match the rest of the paint.

If I could figure out where to mount the Strebel so it wasn't hanging down near the road, I would use it.  I am keeping it, in case I just can't stand the HF horns someday.

[Herman]

The HF horns may not look bad mounted at the bottom of the engine guard....possible painted black

[hootmon]

The HF horns may not look bad mounted at the bottom of the engine guard....possible painted black

Nick
   I still think they look good on the side of the motor... 

[TLRam1]

The Strebel sound I like best and sounded loudest on the clip to me, also like the compact size of them.

[Magnum Magna]

Went to Harbor Freight today.  The one in Richardson, Texas does not have it or in the sale flyer in the front.  I went to the web page and found a cool looking one.  I will call tomorrow to see if and when they will have it in.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40135



ITEM 40135-1VGA

$11.99   

[TLRam1]

I saw some the other day I was there, maybe not the ones your looking for.