MK5 Golf GTI
General => Product Reviews => Topic started by: RedRobin on October 05, 2012, 03:15:39 pm
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WHAT ARE AIR HORNS?
The standard electric car horn was first developed by Lucas in Birmingham, once the heart of the British motor industry, in 1910. Obviously its prime purpose is to alert and inform others of the vehicle's presence for reasons of safety. The wonderfully loud "AH-OO-GAA!!" Klaxon was first developed around the same time but across the pond in America - It is particularly effective at grabbing attention and that is exactly what a good horn should do.
The typical horn on a modern family saloon is electrically driven from the battery and usually has a flat circular diaphragm within a 'snail' shape:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-7.jpg&hash=4348cc3436b225619925e30911a06018b4b1a27a)
^ The VW Golf Mk5 has two 'snail' horns, each mounted low near each foglight.
Having two such horns adds only ~3 decibels to the overall sound output of having just one horn.
Air horns differ by being driven by an air compressor and usually by a 12-volt electrical compressor on cars. They are most common on trucks because they can draw air from the air brakes system. However, multi-tone air horns are also very much associated with Italian sports cars and were first used in the 1970's. The Italians are generally far more extroverted than the typical English and like most drivers in hotter climates think nothing of using their car horns at every opportunity. My inclination to follow that tradition is clearly due to my Italian/Greek ancestory. At least, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
So, whether made in Italy or the Far East, single chord multi-tone automobile air horns with trumpets are generally referred to as 'Italian Air Horns'.
Typical truck air horns:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FTruck_AfghanHeroes.jpg&hash=a63953af7982c337ab95456df9bd165905e1ceb8)
^ Typical show truck with roof mounted air trumpets - They're no longer exclusive to American trucks. [photo: djmhughes]
As long as the trumpets are simultaneously sounded, they are legal. Those which play songs such as 'Dixie' have to be fitted as secondary horns and switched separately. Even I frown on hearing the 'musical' song versions. I quite like the typically French "Dee-Da, Dee-Da, Dee-Da" horns though.
REGULATIONS:
In the UK, noise from motor horns is regulated by the Road Traffic Act 1972. Horns may not be sounded in a restricted road between 11:30pm and 7:00am and not by a stationary vehicle unless there is a danger to another moving vehicle. Private vehicles must not be fitted with a gong, bell, siren or two tone horn. In my not-so-humble opinion, this regulation is sadly lacking in that it doesn't state that a horn may be sounded if there is a danger to pedestrians! Furthermore it is ambiguous what is meant by a "two tone horn" and so I choose to interpret it as meaning a horn which sounds its two (or more) tones separately rather than as a chord where the notes are simultaneously sounded together as my triple horns are. Although I understand that the 11:30pm-7:00am regulation is intended not to disturb people sleeping, I would not hesitate to use my horns to warn some drunk who was walking in the road after 11:30pm.
I have experienced the effectiveness of using air horns to warn school children too lost in their own group excitement to notice my approaching car. Also, at high speed on a 3-lane European motorway with a concrete wall central barrier and when a slower English car started to pull out into my lane at the last minute but instantly swerved back on hearing my air horns. I met the driver later (amicably - we all make mistakes) and he apologised but said he was a London bus driver and was used to pulling out and asking questions later! I'm also very glad I had the AP Racing brakes that day.
Unfortunately, the regulations no longer allow klaxons as the primary horn on road vehicles. One of my best friends at school's father had a 1930's straight-eight Railton and the "AH-OO-GAA!! klaxon was regularly used and enjoyed. His uncle often drove an original supercharged Brooklands Bentley. I have been brought up with klaxons but that's another story. For those who don't know the Railton:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FRailton.jpg&hash=ba906708ffeafad4c50d340d8ac8dc8f602702b2)
^ Similar straight-eight Railton. 'Ours' was a pale greenish blue cabriolet with dickie seat in the boot.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2Fklaxon_Leyland.jpg&hash=6289d16cfa9b2c2809e8e9addea5aa17b1cacf76)
^ Vehicles officially registered as vintage like this fine Leyland truck are allowed to only have a klaxon or their original horn. [photo: djmhughes]
WHY CHANGE THE OEM HORN?
Primarily because the Mk5 GTI OEM horn sounds weak and any horn should strongly urge that immediate movement out of the area is advised - You might say that it's a hint to others in the vicinity to get themselves off and multiply or eff off! A horn is a valuable safety mechanism and all road vehicles are obliged by law to have them in working condition. Another reason to change is because the Golf's OEM horn sounds boring and its lack of tonal richness is a sound more associated with a cheaper car rather than one which is more venerable. Have you noticed that more expensive limousines have grander sounding horns? A single "beep" doesn't really cut the mustard and sounds puny.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-8.jpg&hash=a2ca1af7cdcaaf74a065fceb4c5d0a987de0185d)
^ OEM Mk5 GTI horn made by Bosch.
Modern electric automobile horns have sound levels of approximately 100 decibels whereas automobile air horns are likely to be around 120 decibels and more, depending on the horns. The use of different sound frequencies as in a two-tone or triple-tone air horn, makes the sound more perceptible, particularly in environments with high ambient noise levels - This is another reason why I chose triple air horns as being more effective in alerting other road users. Modern cars have more soundproofing and more powerful radios and audio systems - This leads to the driver's senses being more isolated from the environment outside their vehicle and reduces the driver's ability to hear the horns of other vehicles. Amongst pedestrians the similarity of most standard car horns promotes relaxed familiarity and a tendency to ignore them. Higher pitched air horns stand a much better chance of being heard and consequently being effective as a safety device.
ALTERNATIVE HORNS:
There are quite a few out there and both of the air and electric horn types. If you are going to use them as a primary horn it is essential that they are legal. If you are going to use a horn which is illegal, install it as a secondary horn with its own dedicated manual switch.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FTruck_airhorns.jpg&hash=0ad79f8038d197d7052df8b4d0e533a3527f2c74)
^ A selection of truck air horns, usually mounted as eye-candy where they can be seen as well as heard.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2FAirHorns2tone.jpg&hash=2bf105daf9a9ec863490801a169ad6221ea95c6c)
^ My previous 2-trumpet air horns which also had a failed compressor.
SOURCES:
I bought mine from my local auto accessories shop and paid £22 for a kit with triple trumpets. The package included compressor, lines etc, and relay. These type of air horns seem to be manufactured under many different names and through numerous suppliers. I recommend finding air horns which cost above £20 as when I paid £12 for my first two-tone air horns the compressor only lasted about 12 months. Getting them replaced under warranty wasn't worth what would have been considerable hassle as retailers aren't often able to be very helpful regarding such products.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-1.jpg&hash=b5d8ced8e355068b223c46a64adc91fa270553f9)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-2.jpg&hash=0c45130a80eac48b24bf6fe99ce12f795f9e218a)
http://www.streetwizeaccessories.com/car-accessories/Horns/23/all-categories/0/0/?catid=23
Apparently Streetwize are big in the accessories market. However, the relay in their package which I bought was found to be faulty. quite frankly I would much rather have spent £50 and had a reliable product. Based on previous experience I don't know how long the compressor in this kit will last.
INSTALLATION:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-5.jpg&hash=ca93cacdf985e80ca499e0bb878ef7ad72f5ffcb)
^ "In Deutschland nicht zugelasson" means "Not certified in Germany" - Not TUV certified.
Straightforward and with printed instructions included. Easy for anyone who's capable of automotive DIY - So that excludes me! A garage not very originally named 'Topgear' in Bridport installed mine but needed the outside help of a freelance vehicle electrics specialist who found that the kit's relay was faulty and so supplied me one of his own. I'm glad that Jeremy Clarkson didn't install mine.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-4.jpg&hash=b562363380a33147f83f7a9927fe8ab126759fad)
^ New compressor on the left. Failed compressor on the right.
The failed compressor had been wrapped in plastic to help protect it from the elements. However, the auto electrician advised me that that was a bad idea and had very likely contributed to its failure - They need to 'breathe'. Hence you can see the corrosion mine had suffered.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-3.jpg&hash=78d203ac2f3c0cd11cd79a6a18918059e0e18e69)
^ The mounted trumpets with compressor removed.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-9.jpg&hash=566f00dbdb7f4f5d685e8c8ba9bdc7ba8216af62)
^ The completed installation with shortened air hoses and cable protection. Shorter air lines helps the sound attack.
THE SOUND:
Recent recording with shorter air lines to improve the sound attack: [click the image]
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi22.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FMovies%2Fth_file-2.jpg&hash=0b0c72ab2e19d5371aeb19a841bf83ad639e93b3) (http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/Movies/?action=view¤t=file-2.mp4)
Unfortunately, these are too large to fit!:
PLUS POINTS:
- Much more guaranteed to be heard than a standard car horn and therefore a more effective safety mechanism.
- They deliver a much more distinctive sound which also adds individual character to a car.
- Not expensive.
- Compact and relatively easy to install if no more than three trumpets.
- Useful to frivolously announce one's arrival at a friend's or at an enthusiasts car meet.
MINUS POINTS:
- The compressors are their weakness in my experience - I am on my third set of air horns in about 5 years.
- It is difficult to source more expensive 12-volt automobile air horns which presumably might have better lasting compressors.
- Mine are louder and more effective than my car's OEM horns but not quite as loud as the devil in me would like :evilgrin:
- They are not certified in Germany, which means they are not TUV certified. But that is not necessarily a problem.
- A temptation to be frivolous and use them other than just as warning safety device.
SUMMARY:
If you never enjoy drawing any attention to yourself you won't be buying air horns. However, the safety aspect is extremely important and could even save your life and the lives of others including injuries or vehicle damage as the result of an incident/accident which might have been easily avoided with the use of a louder horn.
The most commonly spoken words at the scene of an accident are: "I didn't see you !". If someone hears you they have a better chance of seeing you.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FKalensburgairhorns.jpg&hash=f8f8d6d46217f4b1ab3812c0516ebb2e6ba96bc9)
^ Kahlenberg are famous for their boat and ship air horns - Sound signals of industrial strength!
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Any video clip of your own horn?
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Any video clip of your own horn?
x2
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Any video clip of your own horn?
....Not yet. I don't have a portable outdoor recorder. My mate BIALI Dan would be able to do it but he's in Sussex.
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Mobile phone?
Hang a microphone (connected to computer) out the window?
I am not after full blu-ray quality 100% audio fidelity. Just an idea of what it sounds like.
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Mobile phone?
Hang a microphone (connected to computer) out the window?
I am not after full blu-ray quality 100% audio fidelity. Just an idea of what it sounds like.
....My basic Nokia mobile phone records very well but there is no way I can upload any of the recorded sounds onto a Mac :sad1: - I've got some great Blackbird song recordings on it and can't use them.
Longest mic cable I've got isn't long enough to reach from my desktop Mac (no laptop).
But I'm gonna check if my FinePix F500EXR can record sound with 'vid' - I have never used a video feature on it before.
Otherwise, if you make it to JKM on 27th........... I'll let you blow toot my horn!
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Im certain that model will record great video with sound Robin, chop chop! :evilgrin:
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*edit
Movie recording
1920 x 1080 pixels / 1280 x 720 pixels / 640 x 480 pixels (30 frames / sec.) with stereo sound * Zoom function can be used.
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Red are you gonna go for the Confederate Flag on the roof too?
Just imagining Daisie Duke now actually...
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Great right up. You seem to be very good at this type of thing.
When I got on the slippery slope of modifying my Impreza, one of the things I wanted to change/improve was the horn. Anyone who has heard the horn on a classic Impreza will know they sound like 'Noddy's' horn - red and yellow car.... Picture this my dad and I, both in Impreza's, his a 03 WRX and my classic when to a pub meet with some friends who had Impreza's. All sitting in the pub garden on a summers evening. My dad and I left early and both gave a friendly toot as we left the car park. My dad when first and then me. My dad got a cheer and all I got was laughs. So I set out improving the horn. A bit of research later on NASIOC forum and the modders choice was Hella dual supertone horns mounted in the grill so they are visible. Suffice to say I never got laughed at again with the sound of my horn. These Hella where only a few db louder, but being dual tone, you got attention.
"Hella Supertones are the horns to have for getting the attention of other vehicles on the road. Hella uses a combination of low tone (300Hz) and high tone (500hZ) disk-type horns to project a powerful 118dB sound that is designed for highway use".
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jscspeed.com%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Fthumbs%2Fe8567ca209df87a0.jpg&hash=6c9799d593553478b6bddac3355400ba3a36265f)
A typical example of an Impreza's horn vs Dual supertones
&feature=related
One of the best mods as I wired and fitted it myself, not to mention sounded better.
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"Hella Supertones are the horns to have for getting the attention of other vehicles on the road. Hella uses a combination of low tone (300Hz) and high tone (500hZ) disk-type horns to project a powerful 118dB sound that is designed for highway use".
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jscspeed.com%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Fthumbs%2Fe8567ca209df87a0.jpg&hash=6c9799d593553478b6bddac3355400ba3a36265f)
A typical example of an Impreza's horn vs Dual supertones
&feature=related
One of the best mods as I wired and fitted it myself, not to mention sounded better.
....Those Hella's definitely sound much better than the standard and look very good too. Hella is a very reliable brand.
But the air horns I have fitted sound a bit fruitier and, although not measured, I think they are ~120dB and so similar. It's doubtful that a pair of the Golf's OEM Bosch 'snail' horns are louder than 100dB.
I need to have a go at recording mine this weekend.
Great right up. You seem to be very good at this type of thing.
....Thanks for the compliment and encouragement :drinking:
I do enjoy writing my reviews and must admit that I was in two minds whether to do one on the air horns and thought it might be a bit short, but it just easily evolved into what got posted.
[Thank You again 'djmhughes' aka Panthera, for the excellent pics]
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Another great review/write up Robin. :congrats:
Would love that "AH-OO-GAA!!" sound, would make me chuckle all day long!
:happy2
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My first attempt at sound recording on my camera [click the image]:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi22.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FMovies%2Fth_file.jpg&hash=c3b0cc8a863752aa1e950c063c987c6f11b35291) (http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/Movies/?action=view¤t=file.mp4)
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That sound does nothing for me. I prefer the OEM horn.
Feel free to tell me if I should keep my opinions to myself.
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That sound does nothing for me. I prefer the OEM horn.
Feel free to tell me if I should keep my opinions to myself.
....No, your opinion is totally valid and I'm sure will also be shared by some others too :happy2: - Absolutely no problem, mate.
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Red,
Your McLaren esque ally ramps look rather cool, presume it's for getting low red machines into slightly inclined ingress garages.
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Red,
Your McLaren esque ally ramps look rather cool, presume it's for getting low red machines into slightly inclined ingress garages.
....Exactly that! I can't take them with me into multi storey car parks though. My neighbours don't really understand :laugh:
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Robin when you say the extra horn only adds 3db, did you know its a sliding scale and 1db can, for example, double the volume?
I am sure you do know being a music man but thought I'd let other folks know.
I might be exaggerating a bit with double at 1db but you get my drift?
On my Split Bus I had a klaxon which suited the classic style.
Good write up but I am not sure about air horns on the golf, maybe on an American car, dukes of hazard stylee!
Again IMHO!
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Nice write up RR but IMO the sound is awful from those kits.
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Your horn sounds like its got asthma!!
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Nice write up RR but IMO the sound is awful from those kits.
....I don't think the kit sounds as good as it could do but I don't find them awful. However, I respect the honesty of your opinion :happy2:
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Only found this out the other day, but you're not allowed to sound your horn unless you're in danger :confused:
The coppers pulled me over for honking at a guy in front of me that was blocking the traffic, and he had loads of room to do his right turn.
They told me they could have fined me - the world has gone mad!!! :fighting:
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Only found this out the other day, but you're not allowed to sound your horn unless you're in danger :confused:
The coppers pulled me over for honking at a guy in front of me that was blocking the traffic, and he had loads of room to do his right turn.
They told me they could have fined me - the world has gone mad!!! :fighting:
....Well yes, the world has gone mad! But what I understand is as follows:
- Use of the horn while stationary, at night in a residential area, or in an aggressive manner is against the Highway Code.
It says motorists should beep their horns only "while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence". < Which is essentially what I wrote in my review.
- The horn should not be used while stationary on the road or when driving in a built-up area between 11:30pm and 7:00am "except when another vehicle poses a danger".
Although breaching the code is not a criminal offence, many of its guidelines refer to legal requirements, and the instructions on using the horn is one of them.
- Improper use of the horn is contrary to regulation 99 (1) of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988'.
- For what he judges to be improper use, a Police Officer can issue a motorist caught breaking the law with a £30 fixed penalty notice.
Drivers can challenge the decision at court, but if magistrates agree with the police they can increase the fine to up to £1,000 < That's not the practice of fair justice in my opinion.
Perhaps the Policeman (more than one?) took the view that your "honking at a guy in front of you" was aggressive and also because your car was stationary. I'm not trying to suggest that you were in the wrong - Personally I think use of the horn (for everyone else except myself) is a matter of common sense and it's good that the Police didn't issue you with a penalty.
Did they explain the details of the law which you appear to have broken?
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The policeman explained the rules then promptly started to ask me questions about my car and what mods I had. It turned out he had an S3 as well and was planning on going stage 1 in the near future.
Personally I think he pulled me over for that reason rather than the horn honking :signLOL:
He even said if he had enough time he'd have asked me to take him around the block :rolleye:
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^^^^
Sounds like he was a good guy and used his discretion sensibly :happy2:
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Great write up again Robin. Seen this one?
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^^^^
That cyclist with air horns is most definitely illegal, JJ!!
Looks like my old haunts of The King's Road, Chelsea, at the Sloane Square end. 13 years ago since I left London now and it seems like only last month.
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Your horn sounds like its got asthma!!
....I'm wondering if shortening the hose between compressor and trumpets would help that. There's plenty there:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-6.jpg&hash=9d18e25294a8a7e949c16b25fda780ede956e979)
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I would say so robin...
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I would say so robin...
....Of course you are drawing from your experience of blowing down a particularly long horn called a trombone :grin:
I've got plenty of spare hose from the new kit and so can afford to give it a go. And if it doesn't work, I'll blame you! :happy2:
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Pressure is on....... :laugh:
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Pressure is on....... :laugh:
Oh my..................
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Shortened the air line hose between the compressor and trumpets this morning and improved the 'attack' of the sound. Also the horns sound much better with the engine on rather than only the ignition on.
Click the picture below to hear movie:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi22.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FMovies%2Fth_file-2.jpg&hash=0b0c72ab2e19d5371aeb19a841bf83ad639e93b3) (http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/Movies/?action=view¤t=file-2.mp4)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FMods%2Ffile-9.jpg&hash=566f00dbdb7f4f5d685e8c8ba9bdc7ba8216af62)
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Robin
Is that Jimmy Savile playing with your horn. ............. :ashamed:
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Sounds miles better :smiley:
Up yours too, you cheeky bar steward!! :happy2:
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Hahaha.... I laughed at that video!! :happy2:
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Hahaha.... I laughed at that video!! :happy2:
.... :happy2: That's good - You know I like a bit of good humour. Life need not ever be dull. :happy2:
You will probably be amused by this video too. It's my local butcher Framptons and I socialise with and am very friendly with them - Lots of banter. Hang on until the very end... After the splash screen. What you see was not planned but Phil Frampton decided it had to be done:
They do a very good Scotch Egg :wink:
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You big tart :signLOL: You get everywhere Robin!
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Brilliant video Robin. I laughed out loud when you gave us the trademark signal! :grin:
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Where abouts did you fit the horns on the car? Cheers