Veefer800Canuck Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 Welp, as I was relocating my dual Fiamm horns last week, I finally did the blue gauge mod. I had ordered 5 inverted-tip, wide angle LEDS from http://www.superbrightleds.com/mini-wedge.html The inverted-tip causes the LEDs to emit a broad beam which avoids "spotlighting" the gauge face near where each bulb is located. Installation is exactly the same as replacing the stock incandescent bulbs, see your service manual if unsure. Only 1 caveat and that is the bulbs are polarized, so they only work when installed in one direction (+/-). I put mine in with the ignition on, and the garage semi-dark so I could tell if each individual bulb lit up. There were a couple I had to turn the base 180' to get them to light, easy as cake. :thumbsup: The end result: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 Oh, and I might mention that I had previously tried some #194 incandescent bulbs from the local auto store that were painted blue (from the factory) and they were very dim. Even in the darkest night, the gauge faces were too dim to be immediately readable, but the LED's are a whole 'nother story! :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer ggathagan Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Oh, and I might mention that I had previously tried some #194 incandescent bulbs from the local auto store that were painted blue (from the factory) and they were very dim. Even in the darkest night, the gauge faces were too dim to be immediately readable, but the LED's are a whole 'nother story! :P <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That looks great ! I think I know what my next mods will be: LED's and the horns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Mr Pheer Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Looks awesome... do they make those in red? Wonder if I could do that to my 6th gen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 Looks awesome... do they make those in red? Wonder if I could do that to my 6th gen. They DO make the lights that I used in Red, but Unf, the 6th gen already has LED lights and they are soldered to the electonic panel of the gauges. It's a bout of electro-surgery to replace them, but you can have it done here and in colours other then blue: http://www.bluegauges.com/motorcycle/vfr800.htm If any 5th gen owners wanted red gauge lights (or other), they could certainly go ahead using the same type LEDs I did from the supplier above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sily_rabit Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 Thanks for the picture. Any problem seeing the needles with these leds? In the picture is looks like they aren't lit up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dude Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Now wouldnt that look sweet on my blue baby :pissed: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Bling Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 Wonder if I could do that to my 6th gen. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=12148 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer wingsvfr781 Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Looks great! My Jetta has blue gauges, and I like the way they look. I might have to do that to my VFR just to keep everything in harmony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer chris2992 Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Looks familiar. border='0' alt='user posted image' /> S2400228.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pseal Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 (edited) What's that funny C and km, eh? :P Looks very nice. Might do that myself. Thanks for the photos! How much did each cost? On the following product page, the top three all appear similar, with prices of 0.89, 0.79, and 1.49; just wondering exactly which ones you got. http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/sto...8.26576&next=50 Thanks Payne Edited April 12, 2006 by pseal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ratfink Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 I did that to mine a couple of years ago, but I can't see my needle worth a crap. Let me know if you figure out a solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer chris2992 Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 How much did each cost? On the following product page, the top three all appear similar, with prices of 0.89, 0.79, and 1.49; just wondering exactly which ones you got.http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/sto...8.26576&next=50 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I got the ones that are $1.59 with 4 led's. I did that to mine a couple of years ago, but I can't see my needle worth a crap. Let me know if you figure out a solution. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have no problem with seeing mine, it is kinda purpleish in color, but can see it fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 Thanks for the picture. Any problem seeing the needles with these leds? In the picture is looks like they aren't lit up. I did that to mine a couple of years ago, but I can't see my needle worth a crap. Let me know if you figure out a solution. I have no problem with seeing mine, it is kinda purpleish in color, but can see it fine. to Chris' reply. They're kinda purple but they are more noticeable than in the picture. The camera is a bit stingy with the actual look of the needles. They're not bright orange as stock, but still quite legible at night, purple they are, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pseal Posted April 12, 2006 Share Posted April 12, 2006 How much did each cost? On the following product page, the top three all appear similar, with prices of 0.89, 0.79, and 1.49; just wondering exactly which ones you got. D'oh. Dumb me; the first two are red and amber only. Payne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Lobster Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Sorry, but I'm an idiot. I can't figure out which ones you bought. Would you please be so kind as to post the part number(s)? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer chris2992 Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Sorry, but I'm an idiot. I can't figure out which ones you bought. Would you please be so kind as to post the part number(s)?Thanks. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/sto...8.26576&next=50 <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 4th Bulb down in the link. WLED 4-LED bulb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 4th Bulb down in the link. WLED 4-LED bulb Oh, you got the ones with the 4 LEDs? Like this: border='0' alt='user posted image' /> I got these puppies and they're quite bright even though they only have 1 LED in them. I really like the wide angle tip, it illuminates the gauge face evenly: border='0' alt='user posted image' /> I was concerned that the 4-LED ones would be TOO bright at night and thus be distracting. The ones I wound up with are perfect, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer chris2992 Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Yes I have the 4 led ones, they aren't too bright, but emit an even light. Our pictures look almost identical, mine is a bit brighter, but that is likely the camera and I was in a pitch black garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 Yes I have the 4 led ones, they aren't too bright, but emit an even light. Our pictures look almost identical, mine is a bit brighter, but that is likely the camera and I was in a pitch black garage. Oh yeah, well mine's faster 'cuz my speedometer says 280! :P Yours only goes 170 ......and my Dad can beat up your Dad! :deer: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer teleskier Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Would these bulbs be called "combination meter bulbs" in the manual on page 19-9? I take it that removal of the front cowl etc. is required to do this? On page 19-9 it shows a removed bulb in the lower pic. Are those the ones you are talking about replacing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Lobster Posted April 12, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 12, 2006 Thanks Veefer and Chris. I wonder if the difference in the LEDs created the difference in ability to see your respective tach / speedo needles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veefer800Canuck Posted April 12, 2006 Author Share Posted April 12, 2006 Would these bulbs be called "combination meter bulbs" in the manual on page 19-9?I take it that removal of the front cowl etc. is required to do this? On page 19-9 it shows a removed bulb in the lower pic. Are those the ones you are talking about replacing? No, on page 19-9 those would be the turnsignal indicator bulbs as shown. Look on page 19-11 and in the top pic, it shows the backside of the meter panel. The top two bulbs are the turnsignal indicators, the bottom 4 (real close together) are the idiot warning lights. It's the "other" 5 that light up the gauges. Of course, there's nothing to stop you from changing the 6 (total) indicator and idiot lights to LEDs, but since they shine through coloured lenses, you would probably want to use white LEDs for them and blue/red whatever colour you prefer for the gauge faces. There are 3-10mm nuts that hold the instrument cluster to the upper fairing stay. I removed these and pulled the cluster loose to facilitate changing the bulbs more easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bear22099 Posted April 13, 2006 Share Posted April 13, 2006 No, on page 19-9 those would be the turnsignal indicator bulbs as shown. Look on page 19-11 and in the top pic, it shows the backside of the meter panel. The top two bulbs are the turnsignal indicators, the bottom 4 (real close together) are the idiot warning lights. It's the "other" 5 that light up the gauges. Of course, there's nothing to stop you from changing the 6 (total) indicator and idiot lights to LEDs, but since they shine through coloured lenses, you would probably want to use white LEDs for them and blue/red whatever colour you prefer for the gauge faces. There are 3-10mm nuts that hold the instrument cluster to the upper fairing stay. I removed these and pulled the cluster loose to facilitate changing the bulbs more easily. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> And don't put the blue LEDs in the turn signal holes. With the amber lense it turns green, and you CANNOT see it in daylight. You think it is a pain taking the front cowl off once? Put them in the signals, and you get to take it off twice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer weaselphd Posted April 13, 2006 Member Contributer Share Posted April 13, 2006 Yes I have the 4 led ones, they aren't too bright, but emit an even light. Our pictures look almost identical, mine is a bit brighter, but that is likely the camera and I was in a pitch black garage. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ok maybe another dumb question :wheel: , im getting ready to order the bulbs, how many do i need? im going to order both colors to see what the red look like.. thanks Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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