Speedo and Tach Guage LED lights

[RedShift]

As nice as blue looks, it is very annoying in night driving! It was very distracting and somewhat hard to read.

I think the best choice is WHITE followed by RED

As safety goes, you're quite right.  I haven't thrown anything out, and may well go back to WHITE if night riding doesn't live up to the excitement I have in the garage.  The BLUE is darker than the WHITE but you can't judge a bulb by its colour until you use it in action.

You guys might also want to replace the indicator lights: NEUTRAL, OIL PRESSURE, TURN SIGNAL AND HIGH beam with an led bulb as well. They are #37 or #73 doesn't matter which, they are the same. Basically the indicator bulbs are mini #168 like in the speedo and tach.

By replacing the lights on your bike with LEDS you are significantly lowering the electrical load on the bike and the battery. I noticed that when I was stopped at a light, while applying the braked and turn signals my headlight would go bright...dim...bright...dim.

This was because the turn signal bulbs and headlight use quite a bit of power.

You bring up an interesting point.  All dashboard bulbs are 3.4w (with the exception of the High Beam indicator -- supposed to be 1.7w but looks the same to me.  )  But remember that if all systems are go, no bulbs are ON except in the gauges themselves. 

But I like the lack of filiments in the LED bulbs.  OIL PRESSURE and NEUTRAL are really important indicators to see, and I may well replace these bulbs for the peace of mind they bring.  Can't use the WLED-X5 Wedge bulbs for this though -- too big.  Haven't looked but the Two LED Wedge would probably do. Will advise if I jump.

One other comment -- If your lights are diming on turn signal use, you may want to consider giving your battery a quick charge.  I haven't noticed any affects with my bike from turn-signal effects on my headlight intensity.

Also I like to keep my bike in the parking light mode (rear light and front indicator light in headlight ON) this way no one will back into it at a mall or anywhere. With LEDS I can leave the bike in parking light mode all night and still have virtually these same amount of juice in the battery. Cheers

LEDs would be a good mod for this.  You can get as many as 30-LEDs clustered in one 1157 bulb.  Let us know what bulb you get -- make sure they're RED so there's no wavelength absorption from the tail light lens.

[RVertigo]

Is it legal to have a red license plate light?  'cause your brake/tail light also lights the plate...  So, red LEDs == Red Plate.

[that_guy]

Is it legal to have a red license plate light?  'cause your brake/tail light also lights the plate...  So, red LEDs == Red Plate.

no it's not. 

[RVertigo]

I didn't think so...  I was thinking about the full LED move, but I've heard a few people say that the LEDs aren't as bright when braking...     And if I did the conversion, It would be with white ones...  Since I don't need ANOTHER reason to be pulled over.

[bulletproofcycle]

I put in the 1157 led bulb with about 20 aiming forward and two levels of 6 leds aiming outwards to light up the lens.

One word: AMAZING! Not only that they change from regular light to high level instantly when braking.

[RedShift]

Also I like to keep my bike in the parking light mode (rear light and front indicator light in headlight ON) this way no one will back into it at a mall or anywhere. With LEDS I can leave the bike in parking light mode all night and still have virtually these same amount of juice in the battery. Cheers

LEDs would be a good mod for this.  You can get as many as 30-LEDs clustered in one 1157 bulb.  Let us know what bulb you get -- make sure they're RED so there's no wavelength absorption from the tail light lens.

Okay.  Okay.  I take it back.  You're quite right to point out that the license plate needs to be illuminated with WHITE light and not RED.  My mistake for not thinking it through.

[RedShift]

I put in the 1157 led bulb with about 20 aiming forward and two levels of 6 leds aiming outwards to light up the lens.

One word: AMAZING! Not only that they change from regular light to high level instantly when braking.

What did you buy?  Part Number and Supplier!!  Links, we need links...

[RedShift]

I buttoned up the instruments tonight, and decided to put 0.1 miles on the bike to see how the BLUE backlight looks in the gauges:

I love the reflection of the blue light off the tank.  Can't see the trip odometer very well, but the "purple" indicator arms look trés cool. 

Getting back up the driveway offered a momentary thrill as I hit a patch of ice and the rear slid some.  Reinforces why I don't ride unless I'm damn sure all the frozen stuff is off the road.   

[pandy]

I love the reflection of the blue light off the tank.  Can't see the trip odometer very well, but the "purple" indicator arms look trés cool. 

Looks HAWT HAWT HAWT!! 

Getting back up the driveway offered a momentary thrill as I hit a patch of ice and the rear slid some.  Reinforces why I don't ride unless I'm damn sure all the frozen stuff is off the road.   

+10,000 

[annguyen1981]

I'm definitely getting the BLUE.

[RedShift]

I'm definitely getting the BLUE.

I'm looking forward to my first night ride.    Sooo tempting right now -- temperatures are in the high 40's F (8ºC) but there's salt crumbs all over the place.  The rain we need to remove it is predicted for over night, then rain steady all day tomorrow, then snow.  Winter -- what an annoying time of the year.   

Edit: When you get your bulbs installed, how's about sharing a picture -- I'd like to see what it looks like with a fairing/windscreen enclosing the guages.

[annguyen1981]

Definitely!

[pandy]

Arrrrrrghhhh....I'm *so* the last person to mod her bike, but I *really* like the looks of the coloured gauges.... 

And....yes, yes, yes dear...I know I need to give my bike a fenderectomy, too!    My bf and his son cringe at the sight of my HUGE back fender, but I just don't look at it! 

[annguyen1981]

You're not the only one without a fenderectomy.  I've still got the stock look.

[pandy]

My bf usually sweeps and I lead (he likes to keep an eye on me...make sure I'm not getting myself into trouble  )...perhaps he'll get so tired of lookin' at my HUGE.....errrrr.....rear.....that he'll perform the fenderectomy for me for my birthday (hint hint hint).... 

He wasn't impressed with those blue/purple LED's...I LOVE them! 

[average]

the leds looks sweet but how in the damn do you open the guages up to swap them out?

[that_guy]

the leds looks sweet but how in the damn do you open the guages up to swap them out?

hmm.  u serious?

[RedShift]

Here's an exploded view from Bikebandit.com.  (Just navigate through the OEM Parts path):



Starts with removing the two bolts that attach the instrument cluster (nuts underneath).  Remove the Tach and Speedo cables, then three screws holding the backing plate onto the front, then the gauges come loose.  Undo the two cap nuts hold the gauges in, and you should be able to get at every light in the cluster.  It's 20 minutes the first time, 5 minutes everytime there after. 

[RedShift]

Arrrrrrghhhh....I'm *so* the last person to mod her bike, but I *really* like the looks of the coloured gauges.... 

And....yes, yes, yes dear...I know I need to give my bike a fenderectomy, too!    My bf and his son cringe at the sight of my HUGE back fender, but I just don't look at it! 

Don't know why people want to cut rear fenders off.  Guess it's to get that "racing bike" look, but doesn't hurt function from where I sit.  If anything it's polite -- going through a puddle doesn't cause the rooster-tail of water to spray up into the faces of those that follow.

What do you care what other people think?  It's your bike -- do what you'd like.  (Go buy the UV bulbs and show us what they look like on your RED SV650S.  Oops, there I go -- Shame on me for telling someone what to do...)

[Thor S Magic Bathtub]

I just ordered the blue ones for my speedo and tach and also replacements for the intrument panel. Hopefully those work as well. I was having that problem with my headlight dimming as I wait at a stoplight w/ brake light and blinkers on. Not a problem with the battery charge as I keep it on a tender.