Wolo Trumpet Horn Install on '13 RT - Part 1

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

As we know the '13 RT does not have a really good space available to conveniently install a Wolo Bad Boy air horn. The space under the lights that worked on the '12 RT is occupied by the battery jumper posts on the '13, and the '14 has space where the radiators are on the '13. So I decided the next best approach was to install trumpet air horns on the outside of the body. I bought the Wolo Model 415-MC Airsplitter Super Loud Chrome Metal Dual Trumpet Air Horn Kit from Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GKEZGE/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and http://www.wolo-mfg.com/motorcycle.htm.

Now, the question was where to mount the compressor.

When I pulled off the upper side panel I discovered a nice space available that was plenty large enough for the compressor just behind the fog light area. See the pic here.



Now, how to mount the compressor? I took a 1/8 x 1" aluminum bar and bent it and twisted it to fit between two plastic support areas as shown here. In order to get the compressor to fit best I riveted a tab hanging down from the main bar.



Here's a close up of the bar. I did a lot of twisting and bending by trial and error to get it to fit properly.



Here's the compressor mounted on the bar. It should have been a bit farther forward as it's tight against the electrical connector.



The relay was part of the kit but I had to put together all the wiring. I already had a tap into the horn wires so I just connected into that for the power to activate the relay. Horn power comes from another connection on the battery power jumper post to the relay, then from the relay to the compressor. I've got a half dozen ring terminals on that post now. Ground lead goes from the compressor to the negative battery jumper post.

The Wolo instructions say to keep the hose length to no more than 10" for best operation. Well, that's nigh impossible on a Spyder. So I got some 1/4" reinforced poly tubing from the hardware store and some tubing fittings. You can see a short length from the compressor outlet to a Tee. I didn't use the Y splitter that came in the kit. Reinforced tube is connected to one side of the tee and snaked over the air box to the other side of the bike. I used the factory clear tube from the other tee connection to the left side horn.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Trumpet Horn install - Part 2

Here you can see the tube on the right side. When I connected the air hose to the right side trumpet I used a coupler to attach a piece of the supplied clear poly hose. The clear poly hose looks better attached to the trumpet than would the reinforced hose. I used the reinforced hose to reduce the chance the hose would collapse from the under body heat. I put masking tape on the body to mark where to drill holes.



I held the trumpets up against the Spyder body in all the places I thought might work, and finally settled on the back end of the frunk side panels. That area is flat enough, and close enough to being parallel to the body centerline that the trumpets would point horizontal and straight forward. I think they also blend in well with the rest of the Spyder body. Here are some pics showing the completed installation.



Here's a close up of the right trumpet. Here you can see a spacer I added under the trumpet to provide clearance between the bell and the fog light filler panel. In addition to the spacer I put a fender washer on the underneath side to stiffen things up. They're fastened down good and solid. Also you can see how I routed the hose through the panel. NOTE: If you are one to absolutely refuse to drill holes through the Tupperware, then this procedure isn't for you! I made one serious goof. I should have mounted the trumpets about 2" farther forward. When I reinstalled my Baker air deflectors, the trumpets interfere with the top inner panels so I opted to leave them off for now. I may or may not bite the bullet, add more holes to the panels, and move the trumpets forward. From the purist's viewpoint they are already ruined!:yikes: The only thing I don't really like about these trumpet horns is the way the hose is so exposed. But, like I used to tell my kids, "You can't have everything!" I'll sacrifice some aesthetics in the interest of safety.


I haven't been on the road with them yet so don't know how well they'll work, but I'm willing to bet I'll scare the bejeebers out of the next idiot who tries to run me over! :yes:

I can't say for certain since I don't have the BRP fog lights on my :spyder2:, but I believe this install will work with no problems with the BRP fog lights.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Good job, Mac, but it would have been easier to just buy a 2014 RT.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Good job, Mac, but it would have been easier to just buy a 2014 RT.

WHAT?? Deprive myself of this opportunity for ingenuity!:clap:Or are you suggesting that the 2014s come with trumpet horns? :roflblack: Then there's this thing called money! Funny how a limited supply constrains one's spending possibilities! :banghead:

 

[Dragonfly]

WHAT?? Deprive myself of this opportunity for ingenuity!:clap:Or are you suggesting that the 2014s come with trumpet horns? :roflblack: Then there's this thing called money! Funny how a limited supply constrains one's spending possibilities! :banghead:

Great blow by blow description of your mod. I have been looking to do the same only mount the horns in the lower scoop area. Saw at Spiderfest earlier this year one that had 4 air horns mounted, they had offered to install them on mine guess I should have taken them up on it. If anyone remembers, they were setup outside next to Misty Mountain installing sport mufflers. Wish I could remember their name.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I received a legible set of instructions from Baker Built for the RT upper wings. Turns out I had them installed wrong. Installed them correctly and there is no interference with the trumpets. No need to drill more holes! :yes::yes:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Great blow by blow description of your mod. I have been looking to do the same only mount the horns in the lower scoop area.

I thought of that but didn't want to add anything at all that would impede the air flow through the scoop.