Stebel Nautilus on FJR Gen I

[grommit]

Having gone through a few dangerous situations on the [crazy] roads of Moscow, I realized that I need a louder horn. I mean a really loud one.

A quick forum search revealed a few candidates, so I got a Stebel Nautilus from eBay. Seller proudly shipped it with a 90-degree mounting bolt.

I've checked Nautilus installation reports (including FJRandy, Harald's and cdc's). The problem is that I need my horn not to be easily visible from outside -- besides I'd rather preserve the natural beauty of FJR look, it is also a questionable topic if local traffic regulations allow for stock horns modification.

So I removed all the dash panels of my Gen I and found a cozy spare space featuring a mounting hole under panels A&B:

(you can also see Nautilus's relay mounted with stock bolt on the photo above).

I picked a 240x80x1mm sheet of steel at a local hardware store then cut/bent a custom mounting bracket from it. You can see it from different angles:

Bracket bolted to a hole:

Nautilus mounted on bracket:

With panel A & B back on bike, you can see just a corner of Nautilus if you are deliberately looking for it:

Hope this report helps somebody.

 

[Tree Doc]

Very nice! Thanks.

How's the sound feedback, though? Does it project the blast into you face at all with it being trapped up inside the cowling?

I was hell-bent to find a reasonable mounting point for mine when I get it. You may have just solved that issue as I have no problem fabbing a bracket. Hopefully the HID ballasts won't be an issue.

 

[Patriot]

Very nice! Thanks.
How's the sound feedback, though? Does it project the blast into you face at all with it being trapped up inside the cowling?

I was hell-bent to find a reasonable mounting point for mine when I get it. You may have just solved that issue as I have no problem fabbing a bracket. Hopefully the HID ballasts won't be an issue.

easy, peazy...

 

[grommit]

How's the sound feedback, though? Does it project the blast into you face at all with it being trapped up inside the cowling?

Well, I went a bit deaf once tried it without a helmet. I'm not sure is it because cowling focuses airwaves somehow or the horn(s) are loud enough. Yes, I left two stock horns wired.

 

[Tree Doc]

Very nice! Thanks.
How's the sound feedback, though? Does it project the blast into you face at all with it being trapped up inside the cowling?

I was hell-bent to find a reasonable mounting point for mine when I get it. You may have just solved that issue as I have no problem fabbing a bracket. Hopefully the HID ballasts won't be an issue.

easy, peazy...

Yeah....I like that better, Patriot. Think I'll get started on that right away.....now, where did I put that the duct-tape and drywall screws? :haha:

 

[Tree Doc]

How's the sound feedback, though? Does it project the blast into you face at all with it being trapped up inside the cowling?

Well, I went a bit deaf once tried it without a helmet. I'm not sure is it because cowling focuses airwaves somehow or the horn(s) are loud enough. Yes, I left two stock horns wired.

Did you just tie into one of the OEM horn leads to actuate the relay on the Stebel?

 

[Harald]

Nice install! :yahoo:

Considering your requirement to have it hidden, I think you've found the best possible solution. I'm still partial to having a horn aim forward for maximum blast toward the offending motorist, but I imagine yours is still plenty loud. :devil:

 

[grommit]

Did you just tie into one of the OEM horn leads to actuate the relay on the Stebel?

Yes, exactly. I used a 2-female / 1-male pigtail made from a piece of wire and ordinary automotive connectors. Just not to cut stock harness.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Good job.

Nice avatar.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Well, I just went out to the garage to install my spare nautalus on my 2004.

It won't fit, as you have it mounted, on anything BUT THE 2003 as the 2004 and up models, there's a glove box there... It uses probably 2/3 the space you have, (that the 04's and up don't have).

Damn...

 

[fjrbrad]

I mounted mine (compressor portion) ahead of the glove box but still under the cowl, it is very well hidden and fits perfect. A 2 foot section of hose conected it to the horn portion which I mounted under the bottom tripple tree. Nice neat install, and works great.

 

[Donal]

I mounted mine (compressor portion) ahead of the glove box but still under the cowl, it is very well hidden and fits perfect. A 2 foot section of hose conected it to the horn portion which I mounted under the bottom tripple tree. Nice neat install, and works great.

That sounds nice, I wasn't aware the Stebel Nautilus could be split like that. Any chance of some pics?

Thanks

Don

 

[fjrbrad]

Yes it can be split to separate the horn from the compressor. The tricky part is finding a piece to accomodate the air hose on the horn end. I used a brake bleeder which I drilled out to pass more air and then threaded it into the horn. Of course it took some trial and error to fab the brackets to hold the compressor and the horn but got it eventually. I removed the actuator that locks the glove box when the key is not on and that left me 2 holes under the left side cowl to hang the compressor from just ahead of the glove box. I found that locking glove box to be a real pain anyway. There is not much room there but I did get it to fit and it is out of sight. The wiring was easy and I left one of the stock horns hooked up, even though you can't even begin to hear it now when the stebel goes off. The first time I let it go with the guys I ride with, I thought the one guy who wears a half helmet was going to soil himself. I will try to take some pics.

 

[Donal]

Yes it can be split to separate the horn from the compressor. The tricky part is finding a piece to accomodate the air hose on the horn end. I used a brake bleeder which I drilled out to pass more air and then threaded it into the horn. Of course it took some trial and error to fab the brackets to hold the compressor and the horn but got it eventually. I removed the actuator that locks the glove box when the key is not on and that left me 2 holes under the left side cowl to hang the compressor from just ahead of the glove box. I found that locking glove box to be a real pain anyway. There is not much room there but I did get it to fit and it is out of sight. The wiring was easy and I left one of the stock horns hooked up, even though you can't even begin to hear it now when the stebel goes off. The first time I let it go with the guys I ride with, I thought the one guy who wears a half helmet was going to soil himself. I will try to take some pics.

Fantastic, thanks Brad I'm off to the garage to have little 'play'. I've been puzzling for some time on the best way to install that thing!

Looking forward to 'testing' it!.................

Don

 

[Patriot]

I mounted mine (compressor portion) ahead of the glove box but still under the cowl, it is very well hidden and fits perfect. A 2 foot section of hose conected it to the horn portion which I mounted under the bottom tripple tree. Nice neat install, and works great.

That sounds nice, I wasn't aware the Stebel Nautilus could be split like that. Any chance of some pics?

Thanks

Don

https://www.gadgetjq.com/airhorn.htm

 

[Donal]

Thanks Patriot - good information there :fan_1:

Don

 

[Harald]

I thought the one guy who wears a half helmet was going to soil himself. I will try to take some pics.

Except for Bust, I don't think most of us want to see those pics.

 

[Patriot]

I thought the one guy who wears a half helmet was going to soil himself. I will try to take some pics.

Except for Bust, I don't think most of us want to see those pics.

diaper and cup is for Bust's equipment

 

[fjrchooser]

And then there's this. Still trying to figure out how to mount one on the bike.