« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: This horn has me stumped  (Read 1404 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Artf0rm

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 201
This horn has me stumped
« on: June 21, 2011, 02:14:30 PM »
Ok guys,

I ordered this horn:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-parts-medium-chrome-95mm-horn-86-18122.html

With this switch:
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-electronic-parts-chrome-left-side-handle-bar-control-switch-12-0041.html

All of the other functions on this switch work but when I turn the key on the horn honks continuously.  The switch has 2 cables for the horn one is labeled "horn main wire", the other is labeled horn ground.  If I press the switch down in blows the fuse in line.  What the heck an I doing wrong? 

I have the horn mounted to the frame in the same spot as the factory horn and the horn main wire connected to a power source (+) and to one terminal on the horn with a wire splice.  The other wire comes from the switch ( wire labeled negative ground) I have connected to the other terminal on the horn.

Of all the things this should be really easy but I am at a lose.  Help!
Logged

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2011, 02:22:07 PM »
Most horns activate when the horn button is grounded, therefore no power should be going to your horn button or when depressed it will blow the fuse.
Try running a power wire direct to the horn and the earth to the horn button. :)
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Artf0rm

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 201
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #2 on: June 22, 2011, 06:31:45 AM »
Hush, thanks so much.  I was working within the confines of fixing the switch as is (not adding anything to the mix).  This was clearly the simplest solution and it didn't occur to me because of that mental trap.  I also somehow managed to fuse the spring to itself even through I had a inline fuse attached to the hot wire.  Once I replace it with a spare I should be good to go. 
Logged

Online Deltarider

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,135
  • ... but some animals are more equal than others.
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2011, 08:25:19 AM »
Be aware that wiring for horn varies per code area. Check the wiring diagram that came with your bike for your area.
Logged
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for anybody's greed."

Offline Artf0rm

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 201
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2011, 01:21:02 PM »
Quote from: Deltarider on June 22, 2011, 08:25:19 AM
Be aware that wiring for horn varies per code area. Check the wiring diagram that came with your bike for your area.

What does that mean?  Are you saying if it was a stock horn and a stock switch it would vary?  All of the wiring on the whole bike is custom.
Logged

Online Deltarider

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,135
  • ... but some animals are more equal than others.
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #5 on: June 23, 2011, 07:50:52 AM »
Quote
Are you saying if it was a stock horn and a stock switch it would vary?

Yep, at least for my model 500 it does. Owners manual came with no less than 4 different iring diagrams: U.S.A. type, U.K. type, General type and ED type.
Wiring for horn varies per area code at least for my model. So check first if you're looking at the right wiring diagram.
Logged
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for anybody's greed."

Offline vames

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 806
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #6 on: June 23, 2011, 10:28:40 AM »
May be different wiring diagrams, but you can bet that the CBs all have the same horn setup? hot running directly to one side of the the horn, and a switch-broken ground to the other side. Keep that in mind, and a continuity tester in hand, and you can pretty easily determine why your horn circuit is not working.
Logged

Online Deltarider

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,135
  • ... but some animals are more equal than others.
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #7 on: June 23, 2011, 12:20:35 PM »
Quote
but you can bet that the CBs all have the same horn setup?
No.
Logged
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for anybody's greed."

Offline vames

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 806
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #8 on: June 23, 2011, 01:10:17 PM »
What could possibly be the difference? There's only two elements of a horn circuit: a hot side and a ground with one of those sides switched. Every one I've ever seen had the ground side switched.

Did some have a switched hot side? A relay setup?
Logged

Online Deltarider

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,135
  • ... but some animals are more equal than others.
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2011, 01:33:27 PM »
Quote
Did some have a switched hot side?
Yep, in my manual U.K.type, General type and ED type have a switched hot side.
Logged
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for anybody's greed."

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #10 on: June 23, 2011, 01:57:37 PM »
Never seen one with a hot switch Delta, but then again at my age I learn something new every day. :)
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

bollingball

  • Guest
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #11 on: June 23, 2011, 02:59:02 PM »
Sounds like my old Triumph +grd. They do things different over there.Hell I heard there toilet spin backwards :o
Logged

Offline malcolmgb

  • What am I not? an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,401
  • The BEST 400 four by far
    • malcnet
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #12 on: June 23, 2011, 03:04:51 PM »
Quote from: Hush on June 23, 2011, 01:57:37 PM
Never seen one with a hot switch Delta, but then again at my age I learn something new every day. :)

I can never understand why they talk in code either.  ;D
Logged
Malcolm

Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

1977 CB400F
1973 CL175 K7
1976 XL175 - Sold
1964 CL72
1966 CA78
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;u=1988

Offline malcolmgb

  • What am I not? an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,401
  • The BEST 400 four by far
    • malcnet
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2011, 03:23:19 PM »
It may be a help if you say what bike you have too.

Quote from: Artf0rm on June 22, 2011, 01:21:02 PM
All of the wiring on the whole bike is custom.

But then this comment means nothing is stock, so how are people to know what goes on inside the switch.
Logged
Malcolm

Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

1977 CB400F
1973 CL175 K7
1976 XL175 - Sold
1964 CL72
1966 CA78
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;u=1988

Offline vames

  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 806
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #14 on: June 23, 2011, 06:13:13 PM »
Quote from: Deltarider on June 23, 2011, 01:33:27 PM
Yep, in my manual U.K.type, General type and ED type have a switched hot side.

I stand corrected.



« Last Edit: June 23, 2011, 06:33:12 PM by vames »
Logged

Online Deltarider

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,135
  • ... but some animals are more equal than others.
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #15 on: June 24, 2011, 01:39:02 AM »
I suppose it has to do with a different handlebar switch arrangement (left side). Under the high and low beam selector ours have a button that you can push (horn) and slide (PA) for giving lightsignals.
Logged
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There is enough for everyone's need but not enough for anybody's greed."

Offline Artf0rm

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 201
Re: This horn has me stumped
« Reply #16 on: June 24, 2011, 06:04:29 AM »
Horn is functional via Husk's suggestion.  The horn was isolated (not grounded to the frame) and I was completing the circuit by running it as the instructions for the switch suggested.  Once I ran the positive direct to the horn and used the switch as a ground brake it works perfectly.  Extremely well in a includes garage... what? what did you say?...
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »