Hong Kong Nick
Registered user
Thanks very much! Got some bulbs ordered and on the way!
Cheers again!
Nick
Cheers again!
Nick
I can see for miles & miles & miles.. HID50 Conversion
- Thread starter Agothaclypse
- Start date
muppix
Registered user
Assuming you have one of the newer GSs, is the CanBus system happy with the low draw of this side-light bulb, or does it report it as a fault?
Mup. (about to go HID50)
Stu_C
Registered user
I like the look of your speedo, is it difficult to gain access to these LEDs?? I mean, how difficult is it to open the actual unit to get at them?
Hong Kong Nick
Registered user
Mine's a 2003 1150GS so there are no issues.
I did the same - simply remove the screen and then undo the silver cover / shroud over the instrument panel (2 screws). You'll see the back of the clocks, with 2 wires going into the back of each one (tacho and speedo). Follow them and you'll find they are secured by rubber grommits - pull each one out (take a bit of pulling but as long as u pull the rubber bit and not just the wire (!) you'll be fine!) - Hey presto, a rubbish yellow bulb at the end - replace with an LED and you're done! That means you need 4 bulbs. RID can't be done because the LEDs are part of the circuit board inside the instrument itself, or so I believe.
2 thing's though - firstly, LEDs are different to normal bulbs so if if doesn't work when you put it in then take it out and turn it around - somebody else can explain why but it's been written down before. Secondly, the blue ones look great at night but once you're riding, the instruments are NOT easy to read (mmmmm - sort of defeats the objective
), at least not in my opinion. I will use the blues first and order whites next time. Easy job - 5-odd minutes. Good Luck
Nick
Agothaclypse
Registered user
Its a doddle to gain access. 1. Remove screen 2. Remove small fairing (two torx screwws). The speedo & rev counter illumination bulbs are located at the top, all you will see are the grey coloured rubber holders for the bulbs. Use some snipe nosed pliers & gently pull the rubber holders downward & out. Hey presto the bulbs cam be removed & replaced with LED item. Replace bulb holders in instruments (push-fit) & reassemble. Job done.I like the look of your speedo, is it difficult to gain access to these LEDs?? I mean, how difficult is it to open the actual unit to get at them?
Regards
Paul
Stu_C
Registered user
Does sound quite easy to do. Hong Kong Nick, you say you have difficulty with the blue LEDs. Would it be wiser to use red ones or even stronger blue ones?
I'm off to the NEC this year, I'm sure there will be a stall there with all the essentials, if not, maplins is just down the road
cheers for the descriptions guys!
I'm off to the NEC this year, I'm sure there will be a stall there with all the essentials, if not, maplins is just down the road
cheers for the descriptions guys!
Hi Stu,
easy to do yes, albeit a little fiddly, but ,in my experience, the red or green leds are not bright enough for night-time riding- I'm unable to see the speedo or rev counter needles, so I need brighter LEDs. I tried Maplins, which were far too dull, and then tried UltraLeds, which were better, but still too dull. I haven't tried Nick Marshall's LEDs though -they may be a big improvement.
So, I got some of the blue ones as suggested here,
http://www.ultraleds.com/
This part number U286BB3
fromUltraLeds -not installed yet, but hope to see some improvements though !
easy to do yes, albeit a little fiddly, but ,in my experience, the red or green leds are not bright enough for night-time riding- I'm unable to see the speedo or rev counter needles, so I need brighter LEDs. I tried Maplins, which were far too dull, and then tried UltraLeds, which were better, but still too dull. I haven't tried Nick Marshall's LEDs though -they may be a big improvement.
So, I got some of the blue ones as suggested here,
http://www.ultraleds.com/
This part number U286BB3
fromUltraLeds -not installed yet, but hope to see some improvements though !
Hong Kong Nick
Registered user
Does sound quite easy to do. Hong Kong Nick, you say you have difficulty with the blue LEDs. Would it be wiser to use red ones or even stronger blue ones?
I'm off to the NEC this year, I'm sure there will be a stall there with all the essentials, if not, maplins is just down the road
cheers for the descriptions guys!
I have the Ultrleds ones that are mentioned by Roger
I can see the needles but the numbers are pretty blurry - don't seem as bright as some of the other ones I've seen in other postings - but half of the problem would be me still wearing a dark visor at night - it's a pain to change the visor on an Arai Tour X but I don't get that much night riding done and Hong Kong's streets are fairly well-lit. Don't flame me on this!
If you could get stronger blue ones then I'd go for that.
God luck
Nick
I have the Ultrleds ones that are mentioned by Roger I can see the needles but the numbers are pretty blurry - don't seem as bright as some of the other ones I've seen in other postings - but half of the problem would be me still wearing a dark visor at night - it's a pain to change the visor on an Arai Tour X but I don't get that much night riding done and Hong Kong's streets are fairly well-lit. Don't flame me on this!
If you could get stronger blue ones then I'd go for that.
God luck
Nick
Have you thought -it might actually be daytime out there ?? Lift the visor and have a look ..
Also, in my case, might be the old eyesight playing up ...blurry numbers huh !!!
Hong Kong Nick
Registered user
Well, it's night here when it's day there and vice versa - that's 8 hours time difference for you! Seriously, though, a quick look with a clear visor and actually they aren't that bad - PLUS, the blue looks much cooler than standard and that alone is worth a few 'points'!
Nick
Nick
