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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: CliffHanger on September 29, 2008, 09:36:43 AM

Title: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: CliffHanger on September 29, 2008, 09:36:43 AM
Any suggestions for replacement domes on indicator lights?
I lost my blue highbeam dome on the road at 70 km/h.  Just watched it slide off and disappear beneath me...

Where can I find replacements or an acceptable substitute for this?

Thanks,
CliffHanger
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: fred on September 29, 2008, 10:42:22 AM
You can't find them. Try a junkyard, but you'd be lucky to find some. I'd start looking for alternatives...
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: dohabee on September 29, 2008, 10:45:57 AM
I too have been searching for some of these with no luck. Has anybody made them from scratch or modified some from another bike?
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: fred on September 29, 2008, 11:00:08 AM
It seems like you could take one to a machinist and have him turn a copy on a lathe from plastic, but you'd have to find someone willing to take such a job. I foresee problems with that route being anything but super expensive...
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: CliffHanger on September 29, 2008, 11:17:46 AM
To anyone else who has this problem, do you need to plug up the opening? 
i.e. prevent rain etc getting into the gauges?

Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: dohabee on September 29, 2008, 01:06:34 PM
I am just guessing here but i recently changed a few burned out indicator bulbs and they seemed to have a tight enough seal between the rubber holder and the bulb that water would not get in under the bulb.

Also, I am intrigued by the idea of having a machine shop fab some plastic indicator domes, I wonder if we can find enough people interested to get the price down via a bulk order?
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: laserred97gt on September 30, 2008, 08:54:47 PM
PM me your address.

I have a spare that I can ...um....spare.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: CliffHanger on October 01, 2008, 05:19:28 AM
PM sent.
Send me a Paypal address so I can compensate you,
CliffHanger
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: Rhandom on October 01, 2008, 12:51:01 PM
I've been looking all over for this. it's part of basically a 200 dollar piece if you order it.
I currently have a piece of packing tape over mine just to keep it dry.
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: CliffHanger on October 01, 2008, 12:54:35 PM
Quote from: Rhandom on October 01, 2008, 12:51:01 PM
I've been looking all over for this. it's part of basically a 200 dollar piece if you order it.
I currently have a piece of packing tape over mine just to keep it dry.

That was my plan before laserred97gt offered to help out.
Bikebandit lists the gauge face for $91 if I read the thing correctly.

CliffHanger
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: Rhandom on October 01, 2008, 02:09:10 PM
And that is why you avoid the local shop.
The tape is about a nickle and so far it's done a great job.
Course, highbeams @ night are a little bright but I plan to upgrade on the tape replacement to a tape replacement with a little piece of plastic with a piece of tape.
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: fred on October 01, 2008, 02:52:34 PM
Quote from: Rhandom on October 01, 2008, 02:09:10 PM
And that is why you avoid the local shop.
The tape is about a nickle and so far it's done a great job.
Course, highbeams @ night are a little bright but I plan to upgrade on the tape replacement to a tape replacement with a little piece of plastic with a piece of tape.

Totally awesome high tech mod. You could also go get lighting gel, then you could have many different colors. If you go to a theatrical lighting or photo lighting store, they'll give you a gel sample flip book thing for cheap/free and then you'll have literally hundreds of colors to choose from...
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: laserred97gt on October 01, 2008, 06:58:02 PM
Quote from: Rhandom on October 01, 2008, 02:09:10 PM
And that is why you avoid the local shop.
The tape is about a nickle and so far it's done a great job.
Course, highbeams @ night are a little bright but I plan to upgrade on the tape replacement to a tape replacement with a little piece of plastic with a piece of tape.

Rhandom,

Are you also missing the High Beam cover?  I only have 1 of each to spare, but if you need the Neutral, T/S or Oil lens, you are welcome to it.

Laser
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: Asym on October 01, 2008, 07:37:56 PM
You can get the whole plate with light covers for $63 at www.flatoutmotorcycles.com, I needed one for a 07 not sure if its the same part for the other years. Expensive if you only need the covers but its a whole new mount.
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: arbakken on October 02, 2008, 12:56:44 PM
i'm missing my highbeam cover as well. I think it's complete bullshit that you can't buy a part for these bikes that couldn't even cost suzuki a penny to make. Someone should stage a heist on their factory and steal a few bags. I'll bet they wouldn't even notice
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: tripleb on October 02, 2008, 01:12:19 PM
there's a few complete gauge sets on ebay now for less than $50.  you could always buy one, take the indicator dome and then sell the rest seperately and probably make a profit off it.
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: X-ray on October 02, 2008, 07:52:50 PM
I did some searching under google images and came across what is refered to as "pilot light lenses"
Try here,
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/english-store/Pilot-lights-c-30_53/ (http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/english-store/Pilot-lights-c-30_53/)
may a mod can be made or the lense can be shaved down to fit.
I dont have much time so continue the search for differing sizes and maybe american suppliers.
:thumb:
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: sanjay on October 03, 2008, 01:19:11 AM
Working on it.  I know, it's been a long time now, but I'm finally getting some parts fabbed up that look promising.  I'll keep you guys posted - give me a couple of weeks. 
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: Jackstand Johnny on October 03, 2008, 09:55:49 AM
Could you just cut out a small piece of plastic, paint it with R/C paint, and super glue it?
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: dohabee on October 05, 2008, 03:48:32 PM
bought some of these in blue and red for (hi-beam and oil pressure) and after a little grinding with the dremel they fit in really well.
they are rounded on the top as opposed to flat and the dome is a bit too tall but I think I'm on the right track.
If all 4 lights had these I think it would look good but they do not match the stock domes and I can't find an amber colored one, so the best I can do is 3 of the 4 colors.
I am not sure if I will keep it but it is better than nothing until I find something else.


http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102792&cp=2032058.2032232.2032293&parentPage=family
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: dohabee on October 06, 2008, 06:50:48 PM
I couldn't find any stock indicator domes so I made my own from some indicator lamps I got from radioshack.

I wish I could find something flatter but I am pretty happy with the way it turned out and It is a million times better than looking at 4 holes with lightbulbs in them.


I took some pictures so let me know what you guys think.   I can post some instructions if anybody is interested just let me know.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dohabee/IndicatorDomes?authkey=7i5-EBvkvpQ#5254220922959406786
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: The Buddha on October 06, 2008, 08:41:53 PM
Nice one you cooked up dude ... I need details ... stat ...
Is this why they used to say in the old days ... "Thank goodness for chef Dohabee"  :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: bertman4 on October 07, 2008, 11:19:21 AM
 :thumb: Very nicely done. I definitely could use instructions as I lost my red one over the oil indicator. I currently have red electrical tape over the hole.  :cry:

Bertman
Title: Re: Replacement indicator domes?
Post by: dohabee on October 07, 2008, 06:45:28 PM
ok here is a short "how to" I made that will  show you what I did to make the radioshack indicators fit the gs.

http://picasaweb.google.com/dohabee/IndicatorDomesHowTo#

I have noticed that these are a bit hard to see during the day and I suspect it is due to the dome shape, but I will live with it until I can find a stock set.