1914 Horn Bulb

[John Haynes]

I am working on a 1914 roadster which has the original horn and tubing, both in great shape. The horn bulb however, is long gone and only the brass base of the bulb is left. I see that the vendors offer a 4 inch and a 3 inch diameter bulb. Which one is correct for this application for the 1914?

[KWTownsend]

John-
I'm glad you have the original horn and tubing. Some of the reproduction stuff is terrible. Especially the bracket!
In regard to the bulb, neither is "correct" for 1914. The original horn bulb size is a "#11, is between the two. It is about 3-1/2" in diameter. For a while, reproduction of the original size in Non Pariel and Rubes was available. I'm not sure if they are any more. If they are, they ain't cheap!

That being said, I have used both the large and small and although I have small hands, I have had better results from the larger bulb.

You might check on the interweb to look for replacement rubber horn bulb like the type used for a "Bombay taxi."

: ^ )

[John Haynes]

Thanks Keith, I appreciate the info! Good to hear from you again.

[Dan Hatch]

Was not RV making them at one time?

[R.V.Anderson]

Yep; he was, but no longer.

THE STORY OF THE HORN BULBS: When the original $3700 run of bulbs proved unusable due to the maker using the wrong rubber compound (and constructing them incorrectly to boot), and when he refused to make them good, I then put hundreds of hours into locating a good maker who could handle the job properly. I finally found one; unfortunately he was overseas, but he did a good job. First I had to make good on the garbage bulbs that my customers had bought from that first run, but when the good ones started getting low, I attempted to re-order, only to have them tell me that the molds were unusable due to corrosion. They said they would clean them and see if they could be used. Well, they got them cleaned and let me know they could be used, so I went ahead and wired the cash for 500 sets of the brass parts (a bit over 3 grand) for the new run (the first run was 150 of each type, Rubes and Nonpariel).

Time passed and no word on the status of my order, so after repeated emails they finally replied that they could not fill the order as they had sold their injection machines. I would have to find a new vendor, but it would have to be in their country as the molds weighed close to 500 lbs. and shipping would be a headache to say the least. I went through 2 more vendors, but both proved unreliable, each taking more than a year to tell me they decided they couldn't do the job after all. The molds had to be moved twice, with me footing the bill each time. During the moves, pieces of the molds were lost, with everyone blaming someone else. As if that wasn't enough, the shipment of the 500 sets of brass pieces disappeared somewhere along the way, with everyone (you guessed it) laying blame anywhere but with themselves. I never did get my 3 grand back for the brass, nor any of fees for the moving of course, and to this day I don't know where those 400 lb. $5500 molds are, and of course the original $3700 I pad to first guy was long gone, so I finally decided to cut my losses and abandon the project while I still had a few traces of sanity and two or three nickels on hand.

The moral of the story: Become a T parts manufacturer; you'll get rich overnight.

[Susanne]

I know of people having fought the corruption of certain "manufacturing vendors overseas", and I swear, unless you can travel there to hold them to account and keep them honest, this kind of thing is not uncommon.

Also... I had a family member who went through this... decided to turn his hobby in his case, having historical costuming accessories made and sold, into a business, and, well, your story is sadly familiar (he called it the 7 siblings) - You think you get "Rich" while supporting your "Art", then you get the "Bill", and when you count the money, you start to "Stew", your interest "Waynes" and you "Barry" your losses, put your business hat on a "Peg" and walk away...

[Benji]

John,

I'm in the same boat. Except I need 3, 2 for 13s and 1 for a 14. My originals look a tad deflated.

I found this on ebay, and I'm probably going to order one. Based on the measurements given, it will be fairly close to the original specs. I think its about 3.75 by 5.9 an a .59 inner diameter on the small end.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rubber-Bulb-fo ... 890.l49292

[John Haynes]

Thanks Benjamin!

[Mark Gregush]

Just be sure to pay attention as to where it is coming from, India in this case. They don't have the brass piece on the end so don't loose yours. Shipping from India would not be a deal breaker for me, just allow extra time.

[Colin Mavins]

Hello John I have a 1912 T I use the small bulb from the venders it work fine ,I find that the large one just looks wrong to big and bulky . This my be because I have the original and it is small . I have removed it because every body wants toot the horn ,so to save the original bulb I installed a new one.

This is the small one from the venders

[John Haynes]

Thanks Colin for the photo. Nice looking 1912!

[ModelT46]

In about 1955 I bought 500 horn bulbs from Desmo in England. When they arrived I was told by US custom I hade to mark therm "Made in England" At the Railway Express in North Minneapolis, I opend the crateand I stamped abpoit 100 of them with "Made in England. I still have 10 or so for my own use. After all these years, they are still soft and usable including the one on my 1910 T.

[jpcouture]

I bought a reed and bulb for my 1914 horn here:
https://www.bonedrymusic.com/Spare-Repl ... s/1272.htm
Not exact as original but serviceable and reasonable price.