Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 24, 2005, 06:20:49 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 24, 2005, 06:20:49 PM
A while back I saw that ratz put different colored bulbs in his guage cluster. It looked pretty nice to me and I figured I'd get around to doing it someday. Well, that day came today when I finally gave in to my temptations and went and got some 194-B bulbs to replace the stockers. I really like the way it looks (despite how bad it looks in the picture. Seriously, it looks a lot better than in the crap pic), especially for being such a cheap mod.
Instalation was trivial and took all of 30 minutes. It took that long because I had no idea what I was doing and because I dropped a few parts along the way because I didn't bother disconnecting the electric tach. Those of you with mechanical tachometers will have an easier time because you can take yours to a bench or a table instead of doing this mod while standing over the bike's handlebars.
First thing to do is to take out the bolts holding the guage cluster to the top clamp by unscrewing the 10mm nuts off the bottom. Off comes the nut, a wire thing to hold cables, a washer, and a sleeve. Pop out the bolt and repeat for the other side. Remove the speedo cable from the housing, too. After you get the cluster off you can either take it to a bench/table or work on it while it's on the bike depending on wether you've got a mechanical/electrical tach. Cover the glass on the guages with a rag or cushion of some sort to prevent scratching or breaking them and turn the guages so that the back faces you. Using an 8mm wrench, unscrew the 4 caps that hold the guages into the housing. Be careful! There are foam pieces underneath the washers that can fall out fairly easily. Take these out now to avoid losing them later. After this remove the three philips head screws on the back of the housing and pull the plastic guage backing off.
Now you'll need to pull the lights and rubber mounts out of the guages themselves. Mine were in a gray rubber mount. Just replace the bulbs and reassemble the cluster. There you have it! A cheap as hell modification that looks really nice.
Before:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/IMG_0023.jpg)
After:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/IMG_0032.jpg)
Like I said, it's a crappy picture. It's a lot brighter in reality.
Instalation was trivial and took all of 30 minutes. It took that long because I had no idea what I was doing and because I dropped a few parts along the way because I didn't bother disconnecting the electric tach. Those of you with mechanical tachometers will have an easier time because you can take yours to a bench or a table instead of doing this mod while standing over the bike's handlebars.
First thing to do is to take out the bolts holding the guage cluster to the top clamp by unscrewing the 10mm nuts off the bottom. Off comes the nut, a wire thing to hold cables, a washer, and a sleeve. Pop out the bolt and repeat for the other side. Remove the speedo cable from the housing, too. After you get the cluster off you can either take it to a bench/table or work on it while it's on the bike depending on wether you've got a mechanical/electrical tach. Cover the glass on the guages with a rag or cushion of some sort to prevent scratching or breaking them and turn the guages so that the back faces you. Using an 8mm wrench, unscrew the 4 caps that hold the guages into the housing. Be careful! There are foam pieces underneath the washers that can fall out fairly easily. Take these out now to avoid losing them later. After this remove the three philips head screws on the back of the housing and pull the plastic guage backing off.
Now you'll need to pull the lights and rubber mounts out of the guages themselves. Mine were in a gray rubber mount. Just replace the bulbs and reassemble the cluster. There you have it! A cheap as hell modification that looks really nice.
Before:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/IMG_0023.jpg)
After:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/IMG_0032.jpg)
Like I said, it's a crappy picture. It's a lot brighter in reality.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: un1261 on November 24, 2005, 07:14:08 PM
Post by: un1261 on November 24, 2005, 07:14:08 PM
:thumb:
now you change the colors to fit the holidays.
now you change the colors to fit the holidays.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Phaedrus on November 24, 2005, 07:38:57 PM
Post by: Phaedrus on November 24, 2005, 07:38:57 PM
Excellent write up!
I like the idea of budget mods. This one goes along well with the $1 tank bag :thumb:
I like the idea of budget mods. This one goes along well with the $1 tank bag :thumb:
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: budget speed demon on November 24, 2005, 08:15:19 PM
Post by: budget speed demon on November 24, 2005, 08:15:19 PM
I read a write up where instead of changing the bulb colour, they took the bulbs out and used super bright l.e.d.'s. do you think it is necessary to use l.e.d's? or is simply changing the bulb bright enough? Btw, looks awesome!!!! Another thing to add to my winter mod list!!! I think I'm gonna go for red though. Awesome!
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 24, 2005, 09:24:17 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 24, 2005, 09:24:17 PM
LEDs require more work than I really wanted to deal with. I saw the write up on the LEDs, but there seemed to be more "blank" spots where the LEDs didn't light up as well as the bulbs did. I'm not good with electronic wirings either. I know how to do them and I know the theory and processes behind them, but I hate them. LEDs will require a lot more time and probably won't give you all that much better performance.
If you do red, the bulb is a 194-R. They're 194 bulbs and the letter designates the color.
If you do red, the bulb is a 194-R. They're 194 bulbs and the letter designates the color.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 25, 2005, 07:30:17 PM
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 25, 2005, 07:30:17 PM
I went to the Auto shop this morning to get some blue bulbs as I reckon that doesnt look to bad. Blue bulbs are $22 for a pair :o , but they have little silicon covers that slip over the bulb & give the same effect as the blue bulbs, $3 for a pack of 6 :thumb:
So I now have blue lit dials.
So I now have blue lit dials.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 25, 2005, 07:35:30 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 25, 2005, 07:35:30 PM
$22 a pair? What in the hell type of bulbs are you looking at? Eiko 194-B bulbs were cheap as shaZam!. Were you looking at the right ones?
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 25, 2005, 08:59:32 PM
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 25, 2005, 08:59:32 PM
I don't know what type bulbs they were, I just got the covers instead. Cheaper & the same result.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Roadstergal on November 26, 2005, 09:24:59 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on November 26, 2005, 09:24:59 PM
My limit on mods this month is $1.50. :(
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 26, 2005, 11:48:41 PM
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 26, 2005, 11:48:41 PM
well this was $3 for 5 covers, so really its only a $1.20 mod :lol:
The dials have a pastel blue look rather than the sherp blue of Alphas bulbs.
The dials have a pastel blue look rather than the sherp blue of Alphas bulbs.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 27, 2005, 12:08:48 AM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 27, 2005, 12:08:48 AM
Quote from: RoadstergalMy limit on mods this month is $1.50. :(
Maybe you can kill a transient for his change, or dig through your couch? Perhaps if you find a coupon for 20% off? What if you sweet talk the cashier at the autoparts store? Perhaps if you bum money of co-workers? Ask them to donate to your bike fund?
Limitless possibilities!
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: aaronstj on November 27, 2005, 02:20:10 AM
Post by: aaronstj on November 27, 2005, 02:20:10 AM
Sell a bike to aaronstj for extra cash...
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on November 27, 2005, 06:28:58 AM
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on November 27, 2005, 06:28:58 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5LEDs will require a lot more time and probably won't give you all that much better performance.
Umm.. yeah.. but LEDs require a small percentage of the energy a bulb uses, and should never burn out.. so do it once, do it right, never do it again... LEDs also don't generate heat... not that it matters in the speedo/tacho, but it's still a neat selling point for LEDs
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Eklipse on November 27, 2005, 11:55:55 AM
Post by: Eklipse on November 27, 2005, 11:55:55 AM
I bought the peanut bulbs from the auto store for a buck or two a while back. I've had red for a long time. I like it because it's vivid enough to see the entire instrument clearly, but the red is very easy on your eyes at night.
I tried blue once, but it didn't light up everything evenly and it was kind of hard on my eyes at night.
I wouldn't go back to plain white, I feel the red is a much better color (not "looks cooler"; better).
I tried blue once, but it didn't light up everything evenly and it was kind of hard on my eyes at night.
I wouldn't go back to plain white, I feel the red is a much better color (not "looks cooler"; better).
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: GeeP on November 27, 2005, 06:15:37 PM
Post by: GeeP on November 27, 2005, 06:15:37 PM
I went red with mine for the reasons Eklipse stated. Red reduces visual acquity, but is also safest for your night vision. Much better. :thumb:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/horteniv/redinstruments.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/horteniv/redinstruments.jpg)
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 27, 2005, 09:45:38 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 27, 2005, 09:45:38 PM
Yeah, I understand the red thing. It's got something to do with wavelength, I'd imagine. The red looks good, it seems to light up the guages a tiny bit better, too. My picture was crap, so I'm comparing it to what I see at night on my own. It's just that the blue looks better on my bike! It's not so insanely bright that it distracts me, not even close.
Looks good, man.
Looks good, man.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: GeeP on November 27, 2005, 10:12:35 PM
Post by: GeeP on November 27, 2005, 10:12:35 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5It's just that the blue looks better on my bike! It's not so insanely bright that it distracts me, not even close.
Looks good, man.
Agreed! Everyone gets their choice. :)
Thanks.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 27, 2005, 10:15:33 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 27, 2005, 10:15:33 PM
Yeah, that's what's nice about the 194 bulbs - they come in different colors. Freakin' conveniently cheap and semi-unique mod.
You can even get them in purple (http://www.automotive-lighting.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=28).
You can even get them in purple (http://www.automotive-lighting.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=28).
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: GeeP on November 27, 2005, 10:23:01 PM
Post by: GeeP on November 27, 2005, 10:23:01 PM
UhOh! :lol:
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: pandy on November 27, 2005, 11:54:26 PM
Post by: pandy on November 27, 2005, 11:54:26 PM
I'm ALL over THAT! :lol:
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 28, 2005, 02:06:32 AM
Post by: bubba zanetti on November 28, 2005, 02:06:32 AM
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c290/bubba500/IMGP0001.jpg)
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: jims_9mm on November 28, 2005, 10:51:42 PM
Post by: jims_9mm on November 28, 2005, 10:51:42 PM
Guys, you know advance auto parts sells 194 led bulbs so no soldering or any of that. $8 a pair.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 28, 2005, 10:58:13 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 28, 2005, 10:58:13 PM
I went to Advanced Auto Parts, Pep Boys, Auto Zone, and Vans Auto Parts, and none of them had 194 LEDs. Just your standard 194 bubls.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: aaronstj on November 28, 2005, 11:05:04 PM
Post by: aaronstj on November 28, 2005, 11:05:04 PM
You can find 194 leds on the intarweb (http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=194%20led%20bulb&sa=N&tab=wf), too.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 28, 2005, 11:10:33 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 28, 2005, 11:10:33 PM
Ah yes, but the Intraweb costs shipping money, too. For $2, who cares? :):)
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: zukiGS500 on November 29, 2005, 12:11:55 AM
Post by: zukiGS500 on November 29, 2005, 12:11:55 AM
I ended up going with some leds from www.superbrightleds.com
everything in my dash has been replaced with leds, that was two years ago, and they all still work.
Image has been shoped cause it was too dark
(http://www.uwm.edu/~mpmaes/Photos/gauge.jpg)
The green was fine around town, but once i went out into the country away from the city lights, i couldnt see the needles, so i added a uv led to each gauge. Now they glow orange, really cool effect, and you dont really notice the purple light like in the picture.
everything in my dash has been replaced with leds, that was two years ago, and they all still work.
Image has been shoped cause it was too dark
(http://www.uwm.edu/~mpmaes/Photos/gauge.jpg)
The green was fine around town, but once i went out into the country away from the city lights, i couldnt see the needles, so i added a uv led to each gauge. Now they glow orange, really cool effect, and you dont really notice the purple light like in the picture.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on November 29, 2005, 12:36:32 AM
Post by: NiceGuysFinishLast on November 29, 2005, 12:36:32 AM
freaking sweet
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: aaronstj on November 29, 2005, 11:21:34 AM
Post by: aaronstj on November 29, 2005, 11:21:34 AM
A cool mod for someone with too much time on their hands might be several (or at least two, red and blue) different color LEDs and a selector switch.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: zukiGS500 on November 29, 2005, 03:15:32 PM
Post by: zukiGS500 on November 29, 2005, 03:15:32 PM
Quote from: aaronstjA cool mod for someone with too much time on their hands might be several (or at least two, red and blue) different color LEDs and a selector switch.
I used 3 leds for each gauge so no more room in there, but they do have multi color leds that change depending on what contact you give power too. I supose that would work. So if someone wants to send me some leds, ill make it for them.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: aaronstj on November 29, 2005, 04:00:30 PM
Post by: aaronstj on November 29, 2005, 04:00:30 PM
Even better, use a photocell so that it automatically switches to red when it's dark out.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: tussey on November 30, 2005, 07:15:53 AM
Post by: tussey on November 30, 2005, 07:15:53 AM
Tell me there is written DIY for this!!!! :mrgreen:
Quote from: GeePI went red with mine for the reasons Eklipse stated. Red reduces visual acquity, but is also safest for your night vision. Much better. :thumb:
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 30, 2005, 12:00:51 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 30, 2005, 12:00:51 PM
Quote from: tusseyTell me there is written DIY for this!!!! :mrgreen:
Umm, tussey, read my first post. I told you exactly how to do it in there.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: budget speed demon on November 30, 2005, 09:34:52 PM
Post by: budget speed demon on November 30, 2005, 09:34:52 PM
(http://www.uwm.edu/~mpmaes/Photos/gauge.jpg)
wow! how did you do that? where did you put the led to make the needle glow orange? under the guage? man I'd love to make it so it had blue numbers with red glowing needles. thats amazing!!!
wow! how did you do that? where did you put the led to make the needle glow orange? under the guage? man I'd love to make it so it had blue numbers with red glowing needles. thats amazing!!!
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on November 30, 2005, 09:38:30 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on November 30, 2005, 09:38:30 PM
It would be awesome if we could get the whole needle to glow red. What if we coated it in a reflective paint? Maybe a red reflective?
Ideas anyone?
Ideas anyone?
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: zukiGS500 on November 30, 2005, 09:43:56 PM
Post by: zukiGS500 on November 30, 2005, 09:43:56 PM
The only reason the whole needle isnt glowing is because the uv leds that i bought dont put out light at a very wide angle. Once the bike is running and the needles are pointed up they glow much better
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: zukiGS500 on November 30, 2005, 09:55:44 PM
Post by: zukiGS500 on November 30, 2005, 09:55:44 PM
Quote from: budget speed demon
wow! how did you do that? where did you put the led to make the needle glow orange? under the guage? man I'd love to make it so it had blue numbers with red glowing needles. thats amazing!!!
http://www.uwm.edu/~mpmaes/Photos/Gauges/step11.jpg
This shows where I drilled the hole. The led just squeezes in front of the gauge face plate. You can barely see the tip of it when you look at the gauges.
Wow I had almost forgotten that I had a whole write up for what I did, I was going to submit it to the mods section, but never got around to it.
http://www.uwm.edu/~mpmaes/Photos/Gauges/
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: snowhownd on December 02, 2005, 09:31:57 PM
Post by: snowhownd on December 02, 2005, 09:31:57 PM
I had a bulb go bad so I replaced both with red 194's... 10 minutes & $2 later I'm riding again with some groovy red lights... I like them a lot better at night as noted above... plus my bike is Red/Maroon, so now I'm more color coordinated ;)
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: facio57 on December 14, 2005, 07:17:13 PM
Post by: facio57 on December 14, 2005, 07:17:13 PM
i just did this mod too with a few minutes time, great results! thanks for the write up alphafire :thumb: now i just wish i rode around more at night time ... :(
~facio
~facio
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on December 14, 2005, 07:25:35 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on December 14, 2005, 07:25:35 PM
Hey no problem! What color did you go with?
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: that_guy on December 14, 2005, 10:51:46 PM
Post by: that_guy on December 14, 2005, 10:51:46 PM
I think the LED's sounds like a fun project. Hopefully I can pick up the GS im hoping for and do a write up on the LED conversion for my first contribution to the site. I like the multicolor idea but red is definately good.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: makenzie71 on December 28, 2005, 10:13:55 PM
Post by: makenzie71 on December 28, 2005, 10:13:55 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5LEDs require more work than I really wanted to deal with.
Lots of people sell 194-compatible LED replacements. If you're interested in some, I get them whole sale. I'll post some pics of my tack with ultraviloet LED's tomorrow.
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: Alphamazing on December 29, 2005, 01:14:32 AM
Post by: Alphamazing on December 29, 2005, 01:14:32 AM
Quote from: makenzie71Quote from: AlphaFire X5LEDs require more work than I really wanted to deal with.
Lots of people sell 194-compatible LED replacements. If you're interested in some, I get them whole sale. I'll post some pics of my tack with ultraviloet LED's tomorrow.
Please do. Are they brighter than standard 194 bulbs? If you can get them wholesale I'm very interested. The cheaper the better!
Title: $1.94 mod
Post by: makenzie71 on December 29, 2005, 01:27:10 AM
Post by: makenzie71 on December 29, 2005, 01:27:10 AM
yeah I'll snap a shot of my TL's cluster here in a bit. I can get them but it usually takes about 2 weeks to come in...I'll hit up my supplier and see what the current prices are. I need to find out what that other bulb is...like I asked in the other thread, was it like a 194 but smaller? Just a little wedge style bulb?