Fitting a Stebel Nautilus horn

This is all fine if you dont have ABS, but with ABS, where exactly would you put the compressor?? (cos the recommended location is where you have the ABS stuff)

 

Go over to VFRDiscussion.com. I did a whole write up on it including photographs. ABS or not doesn't have anything to do with it. The megaphone fits in the same area as the stock horn and uses the same two 6 mm bolt holes in the frame as the stock horn. The only "exceptional" thing I did was remove my PAIR valves and install blank off covers over the PAIR openings to get my horn megaphone up tighter.

Look for postings by "Pete McCrary".

 

Thanks Red Duke!! The link is at Stebel Horn Installation - VFRD.

Your solutions certainly looks like the way to go. I already have four ballasts under the fairings from the HIDs and was just pulling at my hair, thinking of how to mount the compressor. I'll have my hands full this weekend then.

 

I like the way that install looks as well. I didn't feel adventurous enough to try and fabricate a way to mount the horn in the stock place though. One thing that I did notice is that there is a split second of lag time between the Sebel and my stock horn, and I even left my horn together. I also left my stock horn hooked up, so when I push the horn button, I hear the stock horn instantly for a split second before the airhorn drowns it out. I would imagine that with the horn being remotely mounted from the compressor, the lag is even a split second longer because of the air hose expanding and having to fill up those extra few cubic inches of air space before it pressurizes the horn. To me, those extra split seconds weighed in enough to convince me to leave the air horn together and loose a few Dbs with it hidden behind my fairing. It is still MUCH louder than the stock horn, and I'm happy with it!

All these methods of mounting are great though. It just goes to show that just about anybody should be able to find a place to mount it on their bike.

 

If you're getting a lag between depressing the button and making a lot of noise, something sounds wrong about your installation. Mine is instanteous. Good PVC tubing will not swell with the amount of air the compressor is putting out. The total length of tubing is only maybe 12-15". Don't forget the tubing has air in it all the time. The sound should be instanteous with hitting the horn button. Try taking your stock horn off and just run the Stebel. Maybe you're getting an electrical draw from the stock horn that could be delaying the compressor.

Make sure you use a good thick wall PVC clear tubing, "O" rings at all fittings, and a barbed fitting going into the megaphone. Use must use a relay and large wire - I think I used 12 ga.

This is an excellent project to tackle along with installing a set of All Balls tapered steering stem bearings at the same time and doing the blue connector ground.

And I have to admit, it was one of the most difficult mods I've ever done to my VFR. It was a hair puller.

 

Well, mine is very quick, and nearly instantaneous. I don't have any tubing involved in my install because I left my horn intact. I believe the only reason that I can tell there is a delay is because I am able to hear the stock horn for a milli-second before I hear the air horn kick in. If I didn't have the stock horn on there, my brain would tell me that the air horn sounds the instant that I push the button as well. I'm sure that if you had your stock horn on as well, you would hear the same thing. The reason there is a difference is because the sound for the stock horn is generated with electricity, so there is no delay. The air horn (as fast as it is) still has to take the extra time (as little as it is) to spool up the compressor and pressurize the air horn enough to make a sound. Also, I know that the tubing always has air in it, but the air is only at an ambient air pressure. It just adds a little bit more volume of air that must be pressurized before the horn is pressurized.

I like the way you did your install though. It is very clean! I thought about doing something like the way you did it, but wanted to explain the reasons that I ended up doing it the quick and easy way.

 

Thanks for the compliment and thanks for the courtesy explanation.

Glad to see we are all still gentlement on this board (for the most part).

Again, thanks.

One last thing about the Stebel, deer definitely do hear it. I don't think they stop running for half a mile after hearing it.

 

Stebel Horn

On my 86 I put it under the left inner fairing. I unmounted the turnsignal relay and the other relay that was there bent it a bit out. used the bolt to connect the horn to the bracket. zip tied the relays to the horn and surrounding electronics. and ran my power wire around to the battery. I didn't put an inline fuse near the battery because I didn't have one handy but I'll be getting one soon.
it's a pain to get the relays in a position where rain won't get to them when it's sitting outside in a downpour. my first attempt to ziptie them to the horizontal cross bar on the front fairing stay resulted in them getting filled with water. so I relocated them under the inner fairing covers.

 

I've seen that too. The deer go running! Works great I also put a pair of deer whistles on just to be safe.

 

Deer whistles work? :unsure:

 

Well, I believe they do. I grew up in a rural area teeming with deer. In 22 years, my Mom has had them on her vehicle and she has never hit a deer. Me, on the other hand, have not always had them. I've hit 5 deer and had 1 deer actually run into the side of my jeep while I was driving in my 11 years of driving and all of those were in vehicles that didn't have deer whistles. Could be coincidence, but... I'd rather spend $6 on the hunch that they work than be wrong and not have them. Every little bit helps!

 

I ask that same question to someone once who had them and he replied:

"I never hit a deer".

The GA Game & Fish Commission did a study on them several years ago and came to the conclusion that they're worthless. The deer population is booming in GA. It has become so bad that somebody (Opie Caylor?) hit one at a track day at Road Atlanta a few years back.

Ride Highway 60 in north GA about dusk. You will loose count of them.

Read this article from the GA G&FC:

http://www.thecherrycreeknews.com/content/view/1678/104/

 

Well I realize this is an old subject, the horn fitting that is, but I thought I'd post a shot of mine on my '07. Put it where the stock horn was, haven't hit the fender or had probs with steering.

 

Thanks for all these helpful hints on intalling this type of horn. I've always had one unanswered question regarding these horns. I know the Steibel is rated at 139 Db, and from what i read that sounds like alot. But what is the stock horn rated at ? Just curious what the difference is. Rating wise.

 

Stock horn: Gieco Geko
Nautilus Air Horn: Godzilla on crack

 

A stock horn is an annoyance to people in cars.

A Stebel will make them drop their cell phones and get out of your way.

 

Dear,Deer...
Hard braking,(Cuss like a sailor) fast change of line. Practice is a must, in the Southern Appalachians. Horns, they just freeze the ungulates in place, 'till you get close. Best thing to do for deer is avoid the rut. That's when they come after you! Yes, I hunt, but not with a vehicle.

 

Mac:

You and I are from the same part of the country obviously.

I think comedian Ron White said the best way to get a deer is to slow the bullet down to 55 mph, put 2 headlights and a horn on it. Deer will jump in front of the bullets then.

Just a thought.

Pete

 

I believe the stock horn is 105 db.

 

Motorcycle Horn Comparison Review

The following appears to be a well-designed and in-depth comparison review of a number of aftermarket and OEM motorcycle horns, written in 2008. Motorcycle Horn Comparison Review - webBikeWorld

The results may surprise you, especially those who have opted for the Stebel Nautilus Horn.