So I've been thinking (it happens).

I have a Honda motorcycle, and the horn on it is quite small. Maybe I'm just wierd, but it might be cool to have one mounted on my commuter, so I can use it on those ocassions when I'm crossing an intersection and think a driver cant see me.

Any thoughts on this? I think having a very small 12V rechargable battery would be the hardest part for me to work out. I have read quite a bit of info about batteries here, so perhapse it could be done.

Thanks...

So I've been thinking (it happens).

I have a Honda motorcycle, and the horn on it is quite small. Maybe I'm just wierd, but it might be cool to have one mounted on my commuter, so I can use it on those ocassions when I'm crossing an intersection and think a driver cant see me.

Any thoughts on this? I think having a very small 12V rechargable battery would be the hardest part for me to work out. I have read quite a bit of info about batteries here, so perhapse it could be done.

Thanks...



When I was a kid my dad rigged up an old 10 speed with a hologen lamp so he could see at night on roads without street lamps. The light used one of those big 12 volt batteries like you use on a flashlight. He mounted the light on his handlebars and ran the wiring down the top tube with a few zip ties and into a seat post bag he had modified by cutting out the sides and sewing in a bit more fabric. I don't imagine it would be too dificult to get done.


joe

So I've been thinking (it happens).

I have a Honda motorcycle, and the horn on it is quite small. Maybe I'm just wierd, but it might be cool to have one mounted on my commuter, so I can use it on those ocassions when I'm crossing an intersection and think a driver cant see me.

Any thoughts on this? I think having a very small 12V rechargable battery would be the hardest part for me to work out. I have read quite a bit of info about batteries here, so perhapse it could be done.

Thanks...

that mounts on the bike

I'd just go out and buy an air horn in a can......plus you can then take it into work and blast it....see the reaction of fellow employees

I'd just go out and buy an air horn in a can......plus you can then take it into work and blast it....see the reaction of fellow employees

It's not that I'm opposed to the Air Horn, but I think something of that nature is more likley to piss drivers off. I dont want to scare them, just get them to notice me. Jappenese horns are great in this aspect, as they are subdued compared to the much louder more abnoxious American horns. LOL it, sounds like horns are a great reflection of our cultures? :D

Check out the mtbr.com discussions for diy electronics. Most of the stuff is about lights, but I'm sure you could apply some of that to an electric horn.

It's not that I'm opposed to the Air Horn, but I think something of that nature is more likley to piss drivers off. I dont want to scare them, just get them to notice me. Jappenese horns are great in this aspect, as they are subdued compared to the much louder more abnoxious American horns. LOL it, sounds like horns are a great reflection of our cultures? :D
Some friends and I were in Cleveland this past weekend. We were pulling out of a parking lot when all of a sudden we get honked at with an airhorn by some old guy riding a hybrid on the sidewalk that crossed in front of us. Never mind the fact that we saw him, weren't moving (so he could go past), and so forth. The first thing that came to mind in my head was "what an ass*ole", which surprised me considering how avid of a cyclist I am.

I'd avoid airhorns, while they do get you noticed, they're too obnoxious and might do more harm than good.

I "honk" with my voice. Easy to control the volume, as appropriate! :)

I "honk" with my voice. Easy to control the volume, as appropriate! :)

I whistle rather loudly, which also works. Fun to see someone's head snap around when they hear it.

A coworker has a horn from a 1960 VW Beetle mounted on his recumbent trike for commuting. It is a 6V horn from JC Whitney. He wired it to a button on the handle bars and uses his NiMH bottle battery for his halogen headlight to power it. With a 30 min commute hes not too concerned about draining the battery prematurely.
I've heard good things about the Air Zound for the occasional usage though you don't get many toots out of a charge.
Craig

I "honk" with my voice. Easy to control the volume, as appropriate! :)
Same here.

A coworker has a horn from a 1960 VW Beetle mounted on his recumbent trike for commuting. It is a 6V horn from JC Whitney. He wired it to a button on the handle bars and uses his NiMH bottle battery for his halogen headlight to power it.
Good god. The 12V horn in my '71 Super Beetle isn't loud enough for a car, much less a bike (makes a cute sound though).

I do have to agree with myself that a horn on a bike is a bit corny. I thought about it somemore, and just dont think my commute has the justification for it. Not to mention here in New Mexico we are a gun carryying state. I think I'm more like to get killed for honking my horn, then to get hit by a car otherwise.

Thank you for your inputs...I think it's safe to say this post should slide down and die the quiet death it justly deserves....

Thanks again...