Bad Boy Horns Revisited

[Schlepporello]

OK, so like many others, I bought one of them Bad boy air horns at Harbor Freight. The stock horns I had were just about as useful as a tender whisper in an offender's ear, so I had to do something. I bought the horn, happened on to some scrap 3/8" aluminum to cut a bar from, and went to work. The original horn bracket was way too short to mount the air horn, so I cut a new bracket from the aluminum scrap I had. I cut the bracket, drilled the holes and mounted the horn.

http://i38.tinypic.com/2pt544i.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/2885uzo.jpg

I ran it like this for a couple of weeks and everything worked fine, but I really didn't like where I had it mounted. It just stuck out there like a sore thumb. So I set to looking for an alternate location, preferably down lower at the front of the front engine guard. We just happened to have a couple of small 90 degree brackets laying around at work, so I spirited them home and got to work once again. Here's what I came up with.

http://i33.tinypic.com/2cyo844.jpg

http://i38.tinypic.com/16gjtyd.jpg

http://i35.tinypic.com/2edyyhg.jpg

I like this set-up a lot better. And since I have an extra bracket, I can now mount a second horn on the other side! The overall appearance is a lot cleaner and there is less exposed wiring and I now have two spots where the original horns were that I can use for mounting passing lights. my only concern at this point is concerning heat from the exhaust pipe possibly melting the plastic. I've only had the horn in this location one day so far and I check it every time I stop to see if it's getting hot. So far it's staying quite cool.

[sarges46]

Very nice work....

[Schlepporello]

By the way, I have a secret for the bolt that's used to mount the horn to the bracket. Use a stopnut on the other end of the bolt (that's the kind with the nylon in the end). It won't vibrate loose.

[CrazyHorse]

I like the look but would be concerned with water spray from the front wheel during rain.

[Vance]

You might consider routing a hose from the air intake on the horn to a location that stays out of rain/spray/bugs.

[Dano]

JimBobs got it right. Those horn outlets will collect any water that sprays up in there and ruin the horn. I know cause I ran thru 16" of water with my bike, had a Squidley mount with the horn on there and it trashed the thing. You will also get rocks in it.

If you want to try and hide it, try going above the radiator or just in front of it. Much better protected and still projecting to the front. Make sure it is run through a relay with at least 16-18 guage wire, as the factory stuff is too small to handle the load. Just use those wires to operate the relay.

 

Dan

[Gdserlin]

I am getting ready, to move the TCI to the top of the air filter. I wonder if there is enough room in the original spot for the TCI to fit the BADBOY horn.

[Dano]

I myself would not mount it inside the body work like that. You will be defeating the purpose of having a loud horn. Possibly even hurting your own hearing!!!! These things put out approximately 113db at 10 feet. Do Squidley a favor, and yourself. Buy a set of his driving light brackets, pick up a set of $15 Flamethrower driving lights at Walmart and mount them up, then mount your Badboyz to one of the brackets. With the lights on there the horn won't look so out of place, and it'll do the most good for you.

[MiCarl]

You can also mount your horn at the original location, but bend your bracket back at 45 deg. That tucks them in and looks very presentable. You can also shorten the bracket up too as you won't have to clear that radiator trim.

[Dano]

Yeah, but them lights help them cagers see ya a lot better!!!! (Plus ol' Squid needs the money!!!!!)

[Gdserlin]

I finally mounted my Bad Boy horn inside the frame where the TCI was originally mounted. Obviously, you must first relocate the TCI, which is time consuming. I relocated the TCI last summer. I installed the horn this summer. The horn is still very loud even though it is ”inside” and the horn is also well protected. The OEM horns remain in the circuit as well.