disassembling the speedo for LED

my1stbikegs500 · September 06, 2006, 07:32:03 AM

Can anyone explain how....or link me to how...or point me in the right direction...it would be much appreciated...

wildbill · September 06, 2006, 07:36:43 AM

http://www.gstwin.com/led_gague_lights.htm

LimaXray · September 06, 2006, 07:42:57 AM

you don't really need to disassemble it like they do in that link, just take it out like this:

1) unscrew the speedo cable from the bottom of the speedo, and the tach cable from the bottom of the tach if you have a pre-04.
2) use a small phillips screw driver to remove the trip odo knob (some say you don't have to

)
3) remove the 4 cap nuts from the bottom of the gauge cluster. Becareful not to lose the washers or rubber grommets in each hole
4) lift the gauges out carefully.
5) theres a grey plug with 2 wires going into it on the bottom of each gauge, pull that out (you may have to wiggle it a bit) and there's your bulb.
6) replace the bulb and reinstall everything the way you took it apart

Note:
a) the grommets/washers/cap nuts go back on like this: grommet - washer - cap nut
b) use a little bit of loc-tite on the odo knob screw because they like to fall out

my1stbikegs500 · September 06, 2006, 07:48:27 AM

Mine is 06..will I still do it the same way or is it different?

LimaXray · September 06, 2006, 08:02:50 AM

The only differnence is you don't have to disconnect the tach cable, because there isn't one. There will be wires, but don't worry about them, just leave them attached.

Buy type 168 'wide angle' LED bulbs from eBay or someother online retailer. You want the ones that have one LED facing forward and 4 LEDs facing in opposite directions. They are drop in replacements, work a lot better then ghetto rigging individual LEDs, and you don't need to take apart the speed or tach (plus I think it's illegal to take apart your speedo)

Alphamazing · September 06, 2006, 08:03:30 AM

Quote from: my1stbikegs500 on September 06, 2006, 07:48:27 AM
Mine is 06..will I still do it the same way or is it different?

Same way. The gauges haven't changed much at all since 1989. In '01 they got a little more modern look, and in '04 the tach became electric, but there is still a hole in the cover for a mechanical cable.

my1stbikegs500 · September 06, 2006, 08:07:54 AM

Yep I have already bought the LED's but I wasn't sure about installation...I appreciate the help though...I get off work at 4 georgia time so ill try it then...if I run into any trouble ill post what happened...and if its good ill post pics....thanks again

MrDan · September 06, 2006, 08:45:06 AM

I have 2 blue and 2 white being shipped to me now. Not sure which I'll like better. The others will probably be up for sale if anyone's interested.

RVertigo · September 06, 2006, 11:45:19 AM

I put in "Super White" 5-way LEDs (1 in each direction and 1 pointing up)... They look great, easier to read, and no more yellow...

MrDan · September 06, 2006, 11:50:53 AM

Quote from: RVertigo on September 06, 2006, 11:45:19 AM
I put in "Super White" 5-way LEDs (1 in each direction and 1 pointing up)... They look great, easier to read, and no more yellow...

That's what I bought. Also 2 5-way blues since I liked the blue on my 93. I was considering the LEDs for the other indicators but they're super bright after I painted the whole metal piece black. Not sure if I need them just yet.

my1stbikegs500 · September 06, 2006, 12:43:57 PM

What size bulbs do i need for the indicator lights? Is there an LED for the Headlight. I bought a blue Headlight bulb (H4) but it's not as bright or blue as i wished. I got my gauge LEDS in but i want total LED on the bike? Is that possible?

RVertigo · September 06, 2006, 12:48:17 PM

You can do all LED:

The brightest headlight you're gonna get is that silverstar thing... I can't recall the exact name.

A Blue headlight isn't really going to help you much... You want *white* or *yellow* for a headlight.... And no LED is gonna work for a headlight.

wever411 · September 06, 2006, 01:02:41 PM

Are the LEDs for the indicator lights bright enough to be seen during the day? I always have to shade the lights to see if they are on or not. Plus I compulsively hit the turn signal shutoff because I can't tell if it's blinking or not.

LimaXray · September 06, 2006, 01:18:21 PM

They are much much brighter than the stock bulbs, you can see them clearly in direct sunlight... actually some suggest using a single LED bulb for the high beam indicator light because it's kind of annoying at night

MrDan · September 06, 2006, 01:22:18 PM

Quote from: RVertigo on September 06, 2006, 12:48:17 PM
You can do all LED:

Turn signals (with a little re-wiring for resistance)

Any useful info on this? I found a few things on search that mention bulb size but can't then find the LED bulbs in that size.

LimaXray · September 06, 2006, 01:34:31 PM

you need type 168 bulbs for the gauges and the indicators, but for the indicators you don't need the wide angle bulbs, just the cheap ones.

One other thought; the turn signal indicator bulb needs to be able to work in either direction, as in it will work regardless which way you plug it into the socket (LEDs are only work one way). The polarity of the turn signal indicator light depends on which direction you are turning, so if you get the regular kind of LED bulb, it will only light up in one direction.

MrDan · September 06, 2006, 01:45:24 PM

Quote from: LimaXray on September 06, 2006, 01:34:31 PM
other thought; the turn signal indicator bulb needs to be able to work in either direction, as in it will work regardless which way you plug it into the socket (LEDs are only work one way). The polarity of the turn signal indicator light depends on which direction you are turning, so if you get the regular kind of LED bulb, it will only light up in one direction.

Mind dumbing that one down a bit? I take it you mean the Turn Signal bulb will only work when installed one way which means it will be backwards on the other side of the bike? Or am I way off?

LimaXray · September 06, 2006, 01:49:14 PM

that is exactly what I mean

LEDs are like batteries, they only work one way, but the correct way changes depending on which direction turn signal you're using.

MrDan · September 06, 2006, 01:57:39 PM

Ok - followup

The 194/168 bulb is what is used for the speedo/tach as well as the high beam/neutral/etc indicators. That's a wedge bulb that you push in, not a "bayonet" push and turn ... right?

Wouldn't the turn signals take something like and 1156/1157 such as http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/1156-x30.htm? And you can get that in a right angle connector.

RVertigo · September 06, 2006, 02:18:16 PM

If you just pop LEDs into the Turn Signals, the flash rate will be all screwed up... The reason is that the flasher is based on the resistance of the bulb... And since LEDs have very little resistance, the flash rate will increase...

Some manufacturers sell Resistors with the LED light replacements and some do not... You'd need to find out if they do or not.

As for truly useful info... Sorry, all of info is useless.

But, check this thread: FAQ: Various LED How-To's & Info!.

News:

disassembling the speedo for LED