Horn doesn't work; How to not be an idiot in 10 easy steps

[Jallen3.14]

At step 3, I would have taken it for granted that the horn was working to factory spec.

I put a Screaming Banshee Shockwave on and it's the bomb. Even hidden under the side cover, it'll wake the cagers.

 

[Jag]

@Jag - that is a Classic schematic and @Son_Of_Dog has Touring which is a little bit different - however your note about how the horn works (grounds the negative side when switch closed) & the brake light not working are well-founded (the difference would be on a classic it would also affect the turns, but not on a Touring)
I think the turns not working (on a Classic) and therefor the brake light (as well as the horn in question) would definitely be noticable to the rider - but on a Touring,brake light function not so much!

@Steel - again good advice regarding using relay - just a minor correction that it's not a little more current - a Stebel pulls a whopping 18A of current!!! Think about that in these terms - that is like FOUR 55W headlights all wired in parallel! I only stress this because some might be tempted not to use relay if the presumption was it was only a little more. It's absolutely essential to use a relay (along with some decent gauge wire to go with it).

Good catch Ken, I thought he had a classic!

 

[Son_Of_Dog]

At step 3, I would have taken it for granted that the horn was working to factory spec.

I put a Screaming Banshee Shockwave on and it's the bomb. Even hidden under the side cover, it'll wake the cagers.

"Working" is a generous assessment.

 

[Jay]

At least you lightened your bike by about 5 pounds removing that phone old charger

 

[Son_Of_Dog]

Done!

 

[phar2slo]

Done!

What type of horn did you replace it with.

 

[Steel]

@Steel - again good advice regarding using relay - just a minor correction that it's not a little more current - a Stebel pulls a whopping 18A of current!!! Think about that in these terms - that is like FOUR 55W headlights all wired in parallel! I only stress this because some might be tempted not to use relay if the presumption was it was only a little more. It's absolutely essential to use a relay (along with some decent gauge wire to go with it).

You say potato, and I say tater.

 

[Son_Of_Dog]

Done!

I replaced it with a harbor freight special: 2 Piece 12V Electric Horn Set
I don't expect great longevity, but I think it'll last long enough for me to replace them with something that doesn't look like ass.