Custom Harley Horn Button Installation
Installing a custom Harley horn button is a simple upgrade that adds a unique visual detail to an otherwise standard control. Most vintage Harley horn buttons are black, with very few factory or aftermarket alternatives available.
After coming across handmade colored horn buttons built from casino poker chips, I reached out to @knucklejunky to see how they were made. The result is a durable, custom-fit button that installs quickly while giving vintage handlebars a completely different look.
For more period shop work and vintage Harley technical articles, visit the VL Tech archive.
The custom handmade horn button installed in a vintage Harley handlebar control.
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. Hopefully, you left enough slack in your wiring harness to allow access to the back of the assembly.
Horn button assembly removed from the handlebar to access the back of the switch.
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.
Side slots in the horn button assembly that retain the copper bracket.
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.
Small screwdriver gently prying the copper retaining tab from the horn button assembly.
Now the horn button’s internals can be completely disassembled and the original black button can be removed.
Original horn button assembly disassembled with the black button removed.
Installing the Custom Horn Button
Drop the new button into the horn button assembly. It only fits one way.
Custom handmade horn button dropped into the Harley horn button assembly.
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.
Upper brass contact installed in the horn button assembly before the spring.
When installed correctly, the spring will slip over the brass contact.
Horn button spring fitted over the upper 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.
Horn button assembly reassembled with the copper retaining bracket installed.
Lastly, make sure to carefully push the excess wire back into the handlebar and reinstall the two screws.
Custom Harley horn button fully installed back on the handlebar control.
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.
Custom handmade Harley horn buttons shown in red, yellow, green, and blue.