Custom Harley Horn Button Installation
Installing a custom Harley horn button is a small upgrade, but it changes the look of a vintage handlebar control immediately. Harley has changed a lot over the last 100-plus years, yet the horn button has usually stayed black. Late-model riders can buy chrome covers, but for vintage Harley riders the choices have mostly been black, black, or black.
After seeing custom colored horn buttons on Instagram, I reached out to @knucklejunky to find out what they were all about. The buttons turned out to be handmade from casino poker chips, shaped on a lathe into the profile of a horn button. For more period workshop articles, visit the VL Tech archive.
How the Custom Horn Button Is Made
My initial assumption was that he had probably designed a mold and was casting the buttons out of some type of plastic. That was not the case at all. He quickly explained that he was actually making each one by hand.
The starting material is a casino poker chip, which explains the swirl pattern. Using a lathe, he shapes the poker chip into the profile of a horn button. The result is a great-looking, durable button that still has me scratching my head as to how exactly he is able to make these in a standard lathe.
Removing the Horn Button Assembly
Installation of the button takes about 10 minutes and requires two flathead screwdrivers. To start, remove the two screws holding your horn button assembly to the handlebars. If you are working through the rest of the control layout, the related VL handlebar setup article covers more of the surrounding handlebar work. Hopefully, you left enough slack in your wiring harness to allow access to the back of the assembly.
Look carefully and you will see two slots cut into the sides of the horn button assembly. These hold a piece of copper sheet metal that keeps the horn’s internals together.
Disassembling the Original Horn Button
Using a small screwdriver, gently pry one of the tabs on the copper bracket out of the slot. Make sure you do not bend the bracket, since replacing it requires rewiring the horn button.
Now the horn button’s internals can be completely disassembled and the original black button can be removed.
Installing the Custom Horn Button
Drop the new button into the horn button assembly. It only fits one way.
The upper brass contact comes next. Note that it is designed to fit inside the spring, so it does matter which side you leave facing up.
When installed correctly, the spring will slip over the brass contact.
Reassembling and Testing the Horn Button
Push in the lower contact and reinstall the copper bracket to hold everything together. At this point you will be tempted to test your new button and will be disappointed when it does not work.
Keep in mind that the horn button will not work unless the assembly is grounded, typically through the handlebars. Be patient and wait until you have completed the installation before testing.
Lastly, make sure to carefully push the excess wire back into the handlebar and reinstall the two screws.
Available Colors and Contact Information
@knucklejunky makes buttons in four different colors: red, yellow, green, and blue. Finding one that looks good with your paint scheme should not be an issue. If you are not on Instagram, you can reach him via email at o.blainville@free.fr.
