Speedo backlight

[greenbarn]

Milky, that does look pretty good.  I like it.

Q: for Milky or anybody:  Does anybody now why the trip-odometer doesn't seem to be lit very much by the red LED, either Milky's pic or in 2beers previous pics?   Ratman's stock white light and his amber are both slightly brighter.  Is it just the function of the red light not being as bright, so the bottom-most  part doesn't get lit quite as much??  Just wondering - no big deal, it looks great in red.

[2beers]

Here she is.. All lit up the way she should.

We both like it a lot    Glad it turned out well for you, boy was it ever a trip to get here lol!

2beers and The Bride

[Milky1112]

got to suck that up I have a friend, ok sorry PC an acquaintance who has agreed to buy me a pair of them and she will get them to me with a few other items I have on order from her.........so by riding weather I'll have the red lights in mine....

going to cost me $10.00 for the 2 bulbs and what she charges me for the other items I bought off her.......

thanks guys

Hey can't complain. As long as your getting what you need my friend.. You know we all will help where/when we can. Cheers!

[CDNRatMan]

 got to suck that up I have a friend, ok sorry PC an acquaintance who has agreed to buy me a pair of them and she will get them to me with a few other items I have on order from her.........so by riding weather I'll have the red lights in mine....

going to cost me $10.00 for the 2 bulbs and what she charges me for the other items I bought off her.......

thanks guys

[Milky1112]

why not just wait 'till you get to Drift-In and bring them back with you?

I like Troll's thought train there.. lol..

Rat, don't forget to keep me posted on other things.

[Troll]

why not just wait 'till you get to Drift-In and bring them back with you?

[Milky1112]

that sucks man... Well atleast you got a size  you know you can work with for sure. Blasted shipping cost! I could see it being that high across the pond but sheesh!

[CDNRatMan]

  Was looking at this and you know for 2 bulbs not a bad cost price, but then the shipping is a real turn off.....

USPS Shipping Methods
First Class Mail International
$12.80
Express Mail International
$40.25
UPS Shipping Methods
Ground Canada
$30.76
Worldwide Expedited
$48.23
Worldwide Saver
$52.54

I'll look around locally and see what I can find, if not then amber it will be

Milky it does look really good and thanks for the time on this project and the fun looking into it.....

got to suck that up I have a friend, ok sorry PC an acquaintance who has agreed to buy me a pair of them and she will get them to me with a few other items I have on order from her.........so by riding weather I'll have the red lights in mine....

[Milky1112]

ok.. here's what i ordered.. http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/74-led-bulb-3-smd-led-wide-angle-wedge-base/228/ That's for the 74 wedge based. (Multiple colors to choose from) below is the pic installed. (3 smd bulb) I will say it's perfect for what i wanted. Cost was minimal even with shipping (right at $6 for the one bulb)

Here she is.. All lit up the way she should. So there's a decent source for good blubs (and a cheap price) again.. thank you all who have ventured to try this crazy idea.. for sorting out the insanity about the bulbs. GB, Ratman, 2beers and 2B Bride Thank you guys. (if i forgot anyone else I'm sorry) Think i might have to try blue too tho hahahahaha.. so many options!!!

[greenbarn]

don't forget the part about figuring out what bulbs to order...

[CDNRatMan]

  ok that is fine with me I'll pm you my address and you can send me a pair of the red  bulbs. Your a prince among men.

[greenbarn]

So GreenBarn, when you place an order for the bulbs we need for your tire shop, please keep me in mind for a pair of them and I get seniors discount, vets discount, military discount, ok. Your such a nice guy to get these for us......

I was actually considering it...  find what we need and send it to me, and I'll look into it.  You would qualify for the Veteran's discount, the Military discount, the Santa discount, the old-folks discount, the Drifter Family discount, and the Canadian discount - so I'd have to be paying you to take them.....

[CDNRatMan]

   So GreenBarn, when you place an order for the bulbs we need for your tire shop, please keep me in mind for a pair of them and I get seniors discount, vets discount, military discount, ok. Your such a nice guy to get these for us......

[Milky1112]

Looks good GB.. I should have my 3 SMD bulb monday.. will report findings.

[greenbarn]

So see if this updated copy is now correct

Q:  How many pages on the forum does it take to change a light bulb?
A:  5 - and soon to be 6.... 

- There is only 1 illumination bulb in the 800 speedo - it's at the top.
----The bottom one only comes on with the high beam and when bike is running
- the light socket accepts a 74 wedge style bulb.  a 24 will also fit.
- a 194 can be made to fit, but the "holder" must be modified (drilled out larger) and it won't fit the socket so the socket must be changed, or bulb soldered in.
- (obviously) a regular incandescent wedge bulb or a LED wedge replacement can be used
- some bulbs, namely some LEDs won't illuminate the lower part of the speedo face very well
- the 5-lite LED bulbs (with LED faces on all 4 sides) seem to do OK
-------any 360 degree LED bulb should provide the illumination desired

-Colors so far:
-----Blue nanoflex strip wrapped around the speedometer face- this was found to be "very bright" - too bright for most tastes
-----A single blue LED 360 degree bulb gave a subdued blue illumination, without the element of overkill that was present with the multi-light strip
-----Amber incand. is only slightly "redder" than a clear bulb,
-----Red-5-face-LED is the crowd pleaser so far.

- the search is still on for a red incandescent bulb.

[Drift1]

Page 6 should intell all the speedos lit up 

[2beers]

I thank all of you guys.. for listening to my hair brained idea.. making it happen.. and being a wealth of knowledge you folks are.. Glad to have found this place and the folks here.

We're very happy with our gauge lights now, it's great that you got this ball rolling 

2beers and his Bride (2bb)! 

[Milky1112]

I thank all of you guys.. for listening to my hair brained idea.. making it happen.. and being a wealth of knowledge you folks are.. Glad to have found this place and the folks here.

[CDNRatMan]

  Well Troll you helped top get me unconfused, and so thanks........

[Troll]

Knowledge grows from confusion....sometimes. BUT....Sometimes confusion is a self fulfilling prophecy.

[CDNRatMan]

ok ..here is my take now I am done....m additions in red......

There is only 1 illumination bulb in the 800 speedo - it's at the top.
-bottom one only comes on with the high beam and when bike is running
- the light socket accepts a 74 wedge style bulb.  a 24 will also fit.
- a 194 can be made to fit the "holder" but it must be modified (drilled out larger) and it won't fit the socket so the socket must be changed, or bulb soldered in.
- (obviously) a regular incandescent or a LED wedge replacement can be used
- some bulbs, namely some LEDs won't illuminate the lower part of the speedo face very well
- the 5-lite LED bulbs (with LED faces on all 4 sides) seem to do OK

-So far blue-LED  has been found to be "very bright",  amber- incand. is only slightly "redder) than a clear bulb, and a Red-5-face-LED is the crowd pleaser so far.

- the search is still on for a red incandes. bulb.

I'm just trying to make sure I understand it all.... Did I miss anything?? 

we might want to try for 6 pages now just for sh8ts and giggles.......

[Milky1112]

Great Cliff Notes, GB!  The only thing I'll clarify is that the 'too bright' blue LED was a nanoflex strip that wrapped around the speedometer face.  A single blue LED 360 degree bulb gave a subdued blue illumination, without the element of overkill that was present with the multi-light strip.   

--2bb

I agree GB, you have it summed up quite well.. I'm ordering a 3 panel SMD today to see if that will work. Think any 360 degree LED bulb should provide the illumination we are after. Sorry for all the confusion all around fellas, and thanks to everyone for getting this whole thing sorted out and helping out with the experiment. (5 pages now) hahaha.

[2beers]

-So far blue-LED  has been found to be "very bright",

Great Cliff Notes, GB!  The only thing I'll clarify is that the 'too bright' blue LED was a nanoflex strip that wrapped around the speedometer face.  A single blue LED 360 degree bulb gave a subdued blue illumination, without the element of overkill that was present with the multi-light strip.   

--2bb

[greenbarn]

Q:  How many pages on the forum does it take to change a light bulb?
A:  4 (and counting).... 

This has gotten a bit confusing for me.   Please check this summary for accuracy and somebody please correct if there are incorrect conclusions:

- There is only 1 illumination bulb in the 800 speedo - it's at the top.
- the light socket accepts a 74 wedge style bulb.  a 24 will also fit.
- a 194 can be made to fit the "holder" but it must be modified (drilled out larger) and it won't fit the socket so the socket must be changed, or bulb soldered in.
- (obviously) a regular incandescent or a LED wedge replacement can be used
- some bulbs, namely some LEDs won't illuminate the lower part of the speedo face very well
- the 5-lite LED bulbs (with LED faces on all 4 sides) seem to do OK

-So far blue-LED  has been found to be "very bright",  amber- incand. is only slightly "redder) than a clear bulb, and a Red-5-face-LED is the crowd pleaser so far.

- the search is still on for a red incandes. bulb.

I'm just trying to make sure I understand it all.... Did I miss anything??

[2beers]

Those 74's are worth a try, I would have if I had found one here!