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Repairing a 6V horn by Ross
Kowalski |
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The CJ horn like most of the bikes
components occasionally stops functioning. Unlike modern
bikes, the components of the Chang can be repaired rather
than replaced. My horn stopped beeping on the 6V and I
needed an inspection sticker. I leave the bike outside so
the horns points were likely corroded, and the same with
the button. |
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Remove the six screws securing the grille
and diaphragm to the horn body. |
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Separate the grille and gasket from the
diaphragm. |
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Carefully remove the diaphragm and diaphram
gasket from the horn body. |
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The points and adjustment screw. The horn
works by an electromagnet pulling the diaphragm back,
when pulled back the points break and the electromagnet
turns off and the diaphragm moves forward, when the
diaphragm moves forward the points close energizing the
magnet and pulling the diaphragm back, and on and on. It
all happens very quickly. |
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Here you can see the points closed. The
little pointy corner of the bottom point plate is where
the diaphragm touches. |
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Push the bottom point plate down to allow
you to get some sand paper in there. |
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Clean the points with some 100 grit emery
(which every respectable mechanic will tell you is a bad
on several counts, anyway.) |
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Hold the points open and clean them with
some contact cleaner or starting fluid or whatever. I
also put a tiny dab of synthetic grease on the area of
the bottom point plate where the diaphragm touches it. |
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Put a little automatic transmission fluid or
anti-sieze compound on threads for next time. On to the
horn button. |
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Open the horn button and sand the two bent
brass tab contacts inside. |
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Sand the bottom of the button. |
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Sand the outside of the spring on the wide
end where it makes contact with the button housing. |
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Sand the inside of the spring on the narrow
end where it makes contact with the horn button, clean
everything with starting fluid and reassemble. |
With the ignition on, press the horn button
and see if it makes a good loud beep. If it doesn't turn
the adjusting screw until it does. Be careful to turn the
screw a little one way, then a little the other, then a
little more one way and then a little more the other and
so on. If you turn it too far you could unscrew it on the
inside and have to dissassemble the horn to make it right
again. |
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