Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: incabird on May 14, 2011, 07:37:41 AM
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I purchased a Stebel Nautilus and was looking for some input on the installation. As I recall, someone had posted some instructions with locatioin suggestions and photos prior to the crash.
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I just installed the Nautilus's bigger brother, Stebel "Compact Truck Horn" on my 2010. No pics though. Much deeper tone than the Compact Nautilus. The downside is it's physical size.
I installed it on the right side, under the upper fairing. I used two stainless, rubber insulated clamps to hold a short piece of aluminun bar stock to the fairing support tubes. It's located as far to the rear as I could get it and above the intake duct.
As to wiring...i ran a 15a fused 14 awg, pair of wires from the battery box to the relay/horn and a pair of wires from the stock horn with double blade adapters to the coil side of the relay. The stocker works in conjuction with the Stebel.
This one sounds at 300 Hz. http://www.stebel.it/stebel2009/products.asp?IDserie=17&uso=&tipologia=TUNING (http://www.stebel.it/stebel2009/products.asp?IDserie=17&uso=&tipologia=TUNING)
(http://www.stebel-usa.com/store/images/products/truck_030320081004am.jpg)
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I was planning to purchase the Stebel Nautilus and follow the instructions and picture/diagrams from the old post. Now that post is gone, I don't think I'm up to the task...I don't want to fry my electrical. Does anyone knows who posted the wiring diagrams and photos for the Nautilus. If you could be so kind to repost them if that is possible. Thanks in advance.
SonnyC
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This may help
http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/horns (http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/horns)
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Well horse-hocky. I was going to paste a link to my thread that showed all of my farkles, including the horn. But I forgot about the damn forum crash :(
I mounted mine almost exactly as CigarSki posted above. It's a pain in the ass to do, but that is the only place I could find. Here is a picture that sort of shows it....
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/jjscorvettec6/C14airhornsmountedcloser900.jpg)
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If I recall, you need to splice into both factory horn wires and use a relay. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for this setup?
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Thanks, It sure looks like a lot of work...removing the fairings, wiring...
SonnyC
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I ordered my Stebel Nautilus horn from bikerhiway.com and ordered the pnp wiring harness and
it was a very easy install or at least the wiring part of the install was easy.
Finding a place to mount it was the hard part.
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Yeah, there were several pages like that. Good info. too. I had put up a thread about how I installed my Stebel to work only when the high beams were on; I kept the original horn and can choose between the two with the high beam switch (the horn button is still used to sound both horns).
Brian
I purchased a Stebel Nautilus and was looking for some input on the installation. As I recall, someone had posted some instructions with locatioin suggestions and photos prior to the crash.
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Yeah, there were several pages like that. Good info. too. I had put up a thread about how I installed my Stebel to work only when the high beams were on; I kept the original horn and can choose between the two with the high beam switch (the horn button is still used to sound both horns).
Brian
You must have nano-second reflexes or the ability to stop time so you can decide: (1) big or little horn for this situation? (2) is the bike on high or low beam? (3) switch headlight switch accordingly (4) finally hit the freakin' horn button!
I'm impressed! :)
Me? I just nail the button and hope somebody at the receiving end is paying attention.
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Well, it really isn't like that and your questions are out of order. ;)
2) Low beam unless it is at night and there is no oncoming traffic. Always- I have HIDs and high beams tend to blind oncoming traffic.
4) Hit the horn button first and something will make noise no matter where the headlight beam switch is. I have an '08 so I have the FTP button on the front on the left hand switch set and hitting that button along with the horn button is pretty much habit now. It does not take any extra time and is sort of intuitive anyway; just squeeze everything on the left handlebar and the louder horn usually goes off.
1) If I can think about it, I can usually use the little horn. The big horn is kind of obnoxious in neighborhoods at night. But see the answer to (4) above.... if it is too loud, it is too loud but everybody will live.
3) See answer (4) above. It takes care of itself.
You should be impressed- I have two horns and can operate either one with no more buttons or switches than were originally on the bike. Hey, it is only one step away from the horn blowing and the headlights flashing with nothing more than an evil thought.... :D But really, there are enough widgets on the bike already and I didn't want to add another button for the loud horn, and I didn't want to do away with the little horn entirely either. I guess you could look at it as a lose- lose situation. As it is now sometimes I hit the cruise control button and the guy I am riding with says “What?” Lotsa’ buttons, especially on the left side.
Brian
You must have nano-second reflexes or the ability to stop time so you can decide: (1) big or little horn for this situation? (2) is the bike on high or low beam? (3) switch headlight switch accordingly (4) finally hit the freakin' horn button!
I'm impressed! :)
Me? I just nail the button and hope somebody at the receiving end is paying attention.
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Yeah, there were several pages like that. Good info. too. I had put up a thread about how I installed my Stebel to work only when the high beams were on; I kept the original horn and can choose between the two with the high beam switch (the horn button is still used to sound both horns).
Brian
My theory is that if a situation calls for a horn, then the louder the better. I don't want to get someones attention, I want to double their blood pressure and scare them so silly that they don't sleep for three days!
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Yeah, there were several pages like that. Good info. too. I had put up a thread about how I installed my Stebel to work only when the high beams were on; I kept the original horn and can choose between the two with the high beam switch (the horn button is still used to sound both horns).
Brian
Meh, I'm not impressed. I have eeg sensors embedded in my helmet, I just have to think about the horn and something blows. 8)
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You guys are awefully horny.....
8)
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I think this (Stebel install on '09) was on the board before the crash: http://www.twistedthrottle.com/article/articleview/384/1/28/ (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/article/articleview/384/1/28/)
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You guys are awefully horny.....
8)
Yeah, I think it's all because of her.
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There is a motorcycle in that picture?
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You guys are awefully horny.....
8)
I wasn't, but am now... ;)
Thanks for Cog's avatar pic, but I can't get the tape on the back of this pic to stick to my wifes forehead though... (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/confused1.gif) (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/smiley_dunno.gif)
Sorry guys... martini night. (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/facepalm.gif)
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http://www.twistedthrottle.com/article/articleview/384/1/28/ (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/article/articleview/384/1/28/)
I'll be installing on e soon and my HIDS at the same time
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I wasn't, but am now... ;)
Thanks for Cog's avatar pic, but I can't get the tape on the back of this pic to stick to my wifes forehead though... (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/confused1.gif) (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/smiley_dunno.gif)
Sorry guys... martini night. (http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/facepalm.gif)
Use a stapler.
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Well horse-hocky. I was going to paste a link to my thread that showed all of my farkles, including the horn. But I forgot about the damn forum crash :(
I mounted mine almost exactly as CigarSki posted above. It's a pain in the ass to do, but that is the only place I could find. Here is a picture that sort of shows it....
(http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff71/jjscorvettec6/C14airhornsmountedcloser900.jpg)
That's a neat install but what did you do with the charcoal canister?
Aussie
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The charcoal canister is only on California bikes and it is removeable, should you wish to do so.
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I finally mounted the horn. After much analysis, I agree with the others- there really is no great place to mount it. Further, the only place at all appears to be under the right fairing. Fortunately, although it was a nightmare getting all the panels off, mounting it was a piece of cake! I just happened to have a perfect mounting bar of metal. I drilled a hole in one of the triangular fairing support brackets and used a bolt there to hold a strong bar. It it fairly straight, but with a slight tilt. It holds the horn in just the right position. I have attached three hi-res pictures for those trying to imitate.
I did use the optional wiring kit, which was very high quality and made things easier. I did modify that harness to keep the stock horn enabled, which I like as a backup or just even more sound. The magnetic horn enabled is also nice when you have to perform a micro-beep for times you need to remind someone of a light... if you are fast enough, you get a beep from the magnetic before the air horn can wind up. Perfect!
OMG, the Nautilus Compact is a LOUD horn.... especially when mounted this way (because the trumpets are pretty much aimed AT YOURSELF!
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I finally mounted the horn. After much analysis, I agree with the others- there really is no great place to mount it.
I'm just curious, with the horn installed there, does the horn blast you more than the cars around you and is it muffled with all of the plastic around it? I installed the Stebel where with original horn was installed and I'm really happy with the installation.
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I'm just curious, with the horn installed there, does the horn blast you more than the cars around you and is it muffled with all of the plastic around it? I installed the Stebel where with original horn was installed and I'm really happy with the installation.
Yes, it is very loud to the owner. And yes, I believe the performance (loudness) of the horn suffers behind the fairing. But the sound does make it out of the top and bottom of the bike, which are both open.... overall, it is still many times louder than the stock horn. I do think forming a baffle to direct the sound down would be helpful. I haven't figured out how to do that quite yet.
I concluded it is not possible to safely mount the horn at the stock location given the size of the horn, the mounting restrictions (must be almost vertical) and the movement of the suspension... especially with my bike lowered 1". I also believe the horn would suffer severe weathering in that location. Plus, I wanted to retain the magnetic horn as a backup and a micro-beep.
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I concluded it is not possible to safely mount the horn at the stock location given the size of the horn, the mounting restrictions (must be almost vertical) and the movement of the suspension... especially with my bike lowered 1". I also believe the horn would suffer severe weathering in that location. Plus, I wanted to retain the magnetic horn as a backup and a micro-beep.
I used and modified (shortened) the original mounting bracket and even if shocks were completely compressed the horn would clear the fender. In addition, the horn is in a vertical position due to the way I mounted the horn to the bracket. Finally, I believe the horn is pretty well weatherproof. I don't think I would want to submerge it in water, but I'm definitely not worried about it getting damaged due to some rain. I can't imagine the manufacturer didn't take weather into account when he/she made a motorcycle horn.
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Can you provide pics of your install?
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Yes, I'll take some more pictures. I posted some pictures on another thread, however, they weren't very good pictures. I had a difficult time getting my DSLR camera focus properly in that tight space. I'm going to unbolt the horn and take some more pictures of the bracket and how I cut it short. Then, I'll use my daughter's compact "point and shoot" camera to take some pictures of it installed. No promises on the quality, though. I'll try and do this tonight, but if not, I'll get to it tomorrow.
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Just for further explanation, here is what I posted on June 10th: http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=639.msg16793#msg16793 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=639.msg16793#msg16793) "I just finished installing the Stebel Nautilus horn and wire harness from BikerHiway. I have a California model with the evaporative emission control canister under the right panel, where others have installed the horn. I decided to mount the horn where the existing horn was mounted, using the original mounting bracket from the old horn. I trimmed roughly an inch off the bracket using my angle grinder. Then, I drilled a new hole in the bracket, just below the bottom of the "U." As you can see in the picture, I didn't use the intended horizontal mounting (where the bolt would be going horizontal rather than vertical). So I enlarged the hole on the top of the horn, so that the bracket would be installed on the top of the horn. The horn just clears the radiator. As you probably noticed, I'm having a difficult time explaining how I mounted the horn. I also had a difficult time taking pictures after the install. I really like where it is mounted. I highly recommend the plug-n-play wiring harness. For $20.00 it's well worth it. Love this horn!!!"
As you can see in one of the pictures, the horn clears the fender, even if the shocks were completely compressed. In addition, the horn is vertical, as required by the installation instructions.
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As you can see in one of the pictures, the horn clears the fender, even if the shocks were completely compressed.
I hope you are correct, but it doesn't look that way to me. Neither in your picture, or when I hold my currently unmounted
Stebel up on my connie. It looks like a full fork compression will drive it right into the radiator. I guess I need to mount it or
clamp it up there and actually do some measuring. Thanks for the extra pictures and explanation.
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I hope you are correct, but it doesn't look that way to me. Neither in your picture, or when I hold my currently unmounted Stebel up on my connie. It looks like a full fork compression will drive it right into the radiator. I guess I need to mount it or clamp it up there and actually do some measuring.
That was my fear also. I measured many times and it seemed impossible, especially since my bike is already lowered. I just didn't want to take the chance.
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I agree. I spent a lot of time trying to find a better place to mount mine. No way did I see how it could have worked at the top of the radiator.
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Well, I'm glad to be the test subject. I'll let you all know if my horn gets smashed into my radiator. :yikes:
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I just installed the Nautilus's bigger brother, Stebel "Compact Truck Horn" on my 2010. No pics though. Much deeper tone than the Compact Nautilus. The downside is it's physical size.
I installed it on the right side, under the upper fairing. I used two stainless, rubber insulated clamps to hold a short piece of aluminun bar stock to the fairing support tubes. It's located as far to the rear as I could get it and above the intake duct.
As to wiring...i ran a 15a fused 14 awg, pair of wires from the battery box to the relay/horn and a pair of wires from the stock horn with double blade adapters to the coil side of the relay. The stocker works in conjuction with the Stebel.
This one sounds at 300 Hz. http://www.stebel.it/stebel2009/products.asp?IDserie=17&uso=&tipologia=TUNING (http://www.stebel.it/stebel2009/products.asp?IDserie=17&uso=&tipologia=TUNING)
(http://www.stebel-usa.com/store/images/products/truck_030320081004am.jpg)
I have been looking for a place on the net to buy this and can't come up with anything. Where did you get it? All I can find is the smaller one or a place in Australia that wants AU$38.00 for shipping!
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I have been looking for a place on the net to buy this and can't come up with anything. Where did you get it? All I can find is the smaller one or a place in Australia that wants AU$38.00 for shipping!
I am not sure. But I did want the compact one- not just for the size, but also because it is two tone. The one, above, is only a single tone. However, that one does have the advantage that the trumpet is down firing instead of front firing, making it even better for inside-fairing mounting (if it will fit).
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I just installed this horn the way that was noted here inside the right side and its works fine and a nice install.
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I just installed this horn the way that was noted here inside the right side and its works fine and a nice install.
I had a chance to use it for real today, for the first time. It was effective.
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Seems this horn would blow our own eardrums into our brains, no? I still haven't the hang of this sport-touring thing, even though i just completed an 8,000 mile trip.
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Seems this horn would blow our own eardrums into our brains, no?
Nah, it isn't THAT bad. The important thing is you (the operator of it) are prepared for the blast (and wearing a helmet). Just as much sound goes down as up, too. Or you can be adventurous and mount it the RoadKingX way and get full forward effect instead.
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Believe it or not I have dual horns on my bike. They are installed using the screw on each side for the front turn signals.