Beautify your boring gauges (tutorial and review)

[Dizzledan]

After I bought an ebay set of gauges and was unhappy with their condition as well as my originals, I decided I needed to split them open and replace the overlay. I had been reading the original tutorial thread here: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=7525.msg63668#msg63668 and was afraid of making a (expensive) mistake, but with the second set I was ready.

I bought my overlays from Fordhamr in this thread: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=60597.0

He does custom colors/backgrounds too. It's pretty much a thicker photo paper (slight gloss) but very high quality printing and true calibrations (mounting holes may be a bit off).
I got a custom set with blue KPH line/numbers and blue over-rev marks on the tach. Here is a shot comparing what was on my gauges and showing the light transmission:


The overlays come with instructions for removing and disassembling the gauges, if you have a naked bike, I would take off the headlight bucket to get access to the gauges rather than removing the gauge holder underneath.

Steps I followed:
1. Remove gauges
2. Use flathead screwdriver to pry up the rear lip of the metal gauge bezel
3. Use 2 spoons to remove needle (gently)
4. Unscrew the face plate
5. Sand the old gauge face with 150 grit sandpaper
6. Line up the overlays based on the screw hole markings and the needle marking (you may need to cut a new 'x' in the overlay to line it up perfectly)
7. Put on overlay screw into place
8. Paint your needle (optional)
9. Clean the inside of the glass
10. Re-assemble gauges rolling back the lip of the metal bezel to hold everything together.
11. Use plastidip spray to coat the whole face and edges of the bezel to conceal tool-marks (optional)

From the thread mentioned above- How to open the gauge:

"You'll need (assuming you have your gauges off the bike): A smallish flat blade screwdriver, two or three small phillips head screwdrivers (1's 2's and maybe a small one from a jewelers screwdriver set ( inexpensive..) for the speedo knob, two small spoons, glass cleaner -soft lint free rag/cloth . An exacto knife and your choice of Orange model paint and a small artists brush for the needles (White needles on white face gauges....bad idea). I used the stuff they use on the RC cars. And some isopropyl alcohol (Optional).

After you remove your gauges from the bike take a small flat blade screwdriver and you slowly peel the gauge glass bezel open ( slow and somewhat tedious but just work your way around the whole bezel).

After you get the glass bezel off the gauge  look on the back of the gauge bucket are two screws that hold the gauge in the housing... remove them and slide the gauge assembly out.(The speedometer trip meter knob has to come off to get the gauges off the bike so it's likely off all ready........very small philips head...)

Gently lift the needle over the little pin and let it stop where it stops on its own... On the very outside edge of the gauge Face ( The thin edge not the actual face...) make a mark where the needle sits with a sharpie or something that wont come off easily from handling the gauge face. You do this so you know you put the needle back on in the right place later.

Take two small spoons...and under each side of the needle center -the round part- carefully pry the needle up and off the gauge. Remove the two screws that hold the gauge face on and take the gauge face off. You can paint the white part for the needle now or or actually leave it on the gauge while yo do it ( the gauge holds it for you so doing it before you take it off works well...)

If you decide not to sand off the old gauge face, at least on the outermost edge, you'll end up with this:


First time using plasti-dip spray, pretty cool. Spray on everything, peel it off and it separates itself. No cutting required!




Old vs. New Speedo





In the sun:


Lights on outside:


If I had to do it again, I would definitely leave a circle in the center so that only the ticks/numbers are lit up a night. Even with the 150 grit sand finish making the tach acryllic fuzzy, there is still a shadow from the mount:




For $13 and a free afternoon, it feels nice to have a new view, definitely easier to see in the daylight, and the blue accents add a very neat cool factor.

[toadcat]

Looks excellent, good job

[fordhamr]

Love seeing other users enjoy the gauges that I offer! This is a GREAT write up and I am happy to see it. Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed post.

I must agree the blue does look

[jestercinti]

Good job!  Definitely bad ass!

[Precisi0n]

I remember in another post seeing something about adjusting the spedo overlay to account for the GS's inaccurate reading.  Have these overlays been tweaked or are they exact replicas of the originals?

Looks great btw.

[fordhamr]

These have not been altered to adjust for the difference that I have heard some state the gs may have. I'd be interested in working with someone to help specify where the corrections need to be made in exchange for a set of gauges. People say 10% adjustment but that doesn't help a whole lot.

[Dizzledan]

I remember in another post seeing something about adjusting the spedo overlay to account for the GS's inaccurate reading.  Have these overlays been tweaked or are they exact replicas of the originals?

Looks great btw.

I saw that too, and I've wondered. It seems like a proportional thing though (when I'm going indicated 25 actual speed is 22, when I'm going indicated 70, actual speed is 65) so I'm not sure how that would affect the layout of the speedo. I've seen a post before that detailed how to fix the problem by upping the front tire 1 size to compensate for the lack of proper calibration in the wheel sensor.

[fordhamr]

DizzleDan,

Would you be alright with me using a couple of your pictures in my post if I give credit to you in the post? Again thanks for the write up!

[SAFE-T]

[spokes100]

very nice, I like them better in white.  motorcycle speedometers have been very optimistic for years.  I've seen as much 10 mph more on the gauge than you're actually going on a number of bikes.

[Dizzledan]

very nice, I like them better in white.  motorcycle speedometers have been very optimistic for years.  I've seen as much 10 mph more on the gauge than you're actually going on a number of bikes.

I guess they know psychologically being on a motorcycle makes people want to go faster, so they try to counter it.

[adidasguy]

very nice, I like them better in white.  motorcycle speedometers have been very optimistic for years.  I've seen as much 10 mph more on the gauge than you're actually going on a number of bikes.

I guess they know psychologically being on a motorcycle makes people want to go faster, so they try to counter it.

I heard they read fast so if you get a special  recognition certificate for speed, you can't sue the bike maker because the speedo reads fast. If it read slow- you'd have a case for every speed special recognition award. Go according to the speedo and you are always under the speed limit. The odometer is correct. That's a legal requirement for the titles in many states. In WA, once a bike is a few years old, the odometer reading is exempt on a title transfer.

[MVent03]

I've ridden with my GPS on in my tank bag, in the clear map compartment on top, and our speedometers are pretty much 9-10% off.

50 = 45 actual
80 = 72-73 actual
100= 90-91 actual

I find myself contantly doing the math to figure my actual speed.

The funny thing is when I get in my car, I'm still in the speedometer compensation mode. I'll be cruising along at 80 thinking I'm doing 72 and wondering why everyone is going so slow today.

[MVent03]

I'd very much like to have a compensated gauge face. I'd pay a premium if it's good quality.