Speedo and tach bulbs?

[Fitz2at]

I am looking to upgrade the instrument bulbs and was wondering if anybody has any suggestions on what to use other than the stock bulbs that are hard to find in the right wattage?


Thanks,
Fitz

 

[skiri251]

Nowadays, it must be LEDs, I guess.

What about this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ten-LED-Mini-Bulbs-12V-BA9S-Base-1893-Type-White-/170677521719

Not sure that's the socket spec for GW. I haven't tried it myself.

 

[AApple]

I think the instruments use a #57 bulb. The one skiri251 linked to looks correct, but not sure if the base is the same. I did find these, that are direct LED replacements for the #57 mini-bulbs, if it helps.

click image for link

 

[skiri251]

Does #57 refer to the glass?
It also says "Miniature Bayonet Based".

I guess there are separate specs for the base and the glass.

But this #57 LED bulbs are 10x more expensive than the eBay ones... :shock:

 

[skiri251]

Oh No!
I ended up buying the eBay ones.
If you like, you can wait for my experience installing them to my GL1100A.
Is it easy to replace instrument bulbs?
If I need to remove the fairing for this, it will be some time later when other necessity arise.

 

[slabghost]

The idiot light panel removes easily with the fairing on. No idea how much trouble it is yet to get to the tach or speedo lights.

 

[AApple]

I can remove/install both the speedo and the tach without removing the fairing, but it is a tight fit for my ham hands. Just remove the two 10mm nuts on the back side of the gauge, unscrew the cable connection, pull the gauge out of the mount, then pull the lamp sockets out. Others may have a different way of doing it....

 

[Fitz2at]

I went with Sylvania 1893's and they work like a champ. Nice and bright for night time riding.

 

[skiri251]

I went with Sylvania 1893's and they work like a champ. Nice and bright for night time riding.

1893 !
That's the number the eBay ones carry. So probably they will fit also.

 

[scdmarx]

I've had this bookmarked for more than a year but haven't got a round tuit yet.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/ ... s_1led.htm

 

[skiri251]

I've had this bookmarked for more than a year but haven't got a round tuit yet.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/ ... s_1led.htm

Oh!
I went to superbrightleds web page to look for but couldn't find it.
They have 6V bulbs also!
I can use them for my XT and CT.

Thanks!

 

[scdmarx]

I should mention, I merely found this website (don't remember how) and it looked VERY interesting. But I have never used these guys, so proceed at your own risk. The price definitely looks right. But I have absolutely no idea of the quality or the customer service.

Perhaps if you pursue this, let us know how it turns out? opcorn:

According to their chart, the BA9S replaces the 1893.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/bulb_cross.php

 

[skiri251]

I think I saw the name on WebBikeWorld.

I ordered couple of 6V LED bulbs including 1156 and 1157. I will let you know.

 

[skiri251]

Update on superbrightleds.com.

They shipped it the same day I ordered and it arrived yesterday.

The eBay ones arrived also. I put some on XS750 which looked easier to install than GL1100A. Very good for idiot lights. Much brighter than incandecent bulbs. Not so good for speedo/tach lights. The beam doesn't spread wide enough so there is big difference in brightness across the panel. LED bulbs are taller than incandecents so maybe that is also a factor. (Too close to the panel.)

6V white LEDs from superbrightleds are said to have 180 degree beam angle so maybe they are better than eBay ones (eBay ones don't have any info on beam angle) but I didn't have time to test.

 

[skiri251]

that is a common problem with led's that is why dan myself and others that recived those led replacment bulbs for the H4 bulb is not being used that I know of dan did make a vidieo of what the led's do and it seams they do better as spot lights not flood lights as in to dark on the sides and edges of the beam.

Actually I was also one of them who bought el cheapo LED H4 bulbs. Dan's video showed lack of directionality(?). Ordinary H4 bulbs show more direction (spot light). LED ones showed no direction (flood light).

Our LED H4 got surface mounted LEDs in all direction. LED instrument bulbs got only one LED per unit and it is highly directional. Superbrightleds try to overcome that with "frosty lens" to difuse the light but maybe that's not enough.

I will see how it goes the next time I ride my XT500 at night.