Should I be able to see my speedo at night?

[apteryx_haasti]

Hi all,

I presume some bulbs have blown somewhere on my 2006 GN 250.

At night, I can't see the needle and there is only a bit of light showing around about the 60 kph mark (the only time I can read my speedo properly is if I am passing under a street light). I think I used to be able to read it at night, so I figure something's gone south.

Can anyone tell me if this is something I can fix myself? I see that the face plate of the speedo has two screws, but I'm not sure how to get the cover off the speedo itself.

Thanks!

A_H

[Taz]

Speedo has a bulb inside. You get to it from behind.

[FROSTY]

The bulb may have blown or the wires got unplugged to the wires.
Either case its a pretty easy fix

[sunhuntin]

i was never able to see the speedo at night on my 06 gn. made for an interesting night time ride to welly, thats for sure!! LOL. bunch of lights "ok, im doing 100. ill just keep my hand in that spot!" next bunch "hmmm... 110, better slow down!" next lot "hmm... 90. better speed up!" lmfao.

get them to check and replace the bulb at your next service. i think cops wont accept "officer, i couldnt see the speedo!" lol.

[xwhatsit]

Yep, you should be able to see it. If you lived nearby I'd be able to fix it in a second, I have all these extra little speedo/rev counter bulbs left over from my recent `improvements' and they're just sitting in a box.

Ought to be able to buy some new ones for a handful of silver, really.

[breakaway]

I want to install brighter ones behind my speedo. I can see, but want brighter. What can I replace the bulb with?

[Waylander]

I want to install brighter ones behind my speedo. I can see, but want brighter. What can I replace the bulb with?
Wouldn't recomend it. Too bright can keep you from seeing shit properly at night. Was the reason I put a black faceplate in my Virago's Speedo and tach and looking for one for my Vmax.

In fact I would recommend that over a brighter light. The white numbers stand out better at night but still don't bother your eyes.

[xwhatsit]

Well yea Wellington is fairly close to Auckland....

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>My point.

By the way, by faceplate do you mean the `background' with the numbers written on it? I want to change my orange-numbered backplate thing to something more attractive.

[Waylander]

<hints id="hah_hints"></hints>My point.

By the way, by faceplate do you mean the `background' with the numbers written on it? I want to change my orange-numbered backplate thing to something more attractive.
Yea that thing.

[breakaway]

Wouldn't recomend it. Too bright can keep you from seeing shit properly at night. Was the reason I put a black faceplate in my Virago's Speedo and tach and looking for one for my Vmax.

In fact I would recommend that over a brighter light. The white numbers stand out better at night but still don't bother your eyes.

Yeah I have white numbers on black face plate but when I actually turn on the lights there's so much crap accumulated back there, I only see a faint orangish glow :confused:

[Waylander]

Yeah I have white numbers on black face plate but when I actually turn on the lights there's so much crap accumulated back there, I only see a faint orangish glow :confused:
May just need a new bulb as with the thread poster.
The one in there could be dirty or just about to blow anyway.
As for a brighter bulb, depends on the electrics set up. Brighter bulb would need more power. No idea if your's can handle the extra draw without blowing the fuse or something. I'll let one of the site electricians talk to you bout that.

[apteryx_haasti]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll try my hand at fixing it up this weekend!

Cheers.

[MVnut]

What's a speedo ???????:nono:

[Paul in NZ]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll try my hand at fixing it up this weekend!

Cheers.

let me know if you get stuck - should be a 5 min job ;-)

[Pancakes]

I want to install brighter ones behind my speedo. I can see, but want brighter. What can I replace the bulb with?

Take your bulb to JayCar or whatever the similar place is in your neck of the woods. Test the resistance of your bulb, choose an LED that gives the results you want and a resistor that in series with the LED has the same resistance. LED's are diodes and only work with the current flowing one way. Cheap as, you can spend a few bucks and experiment to get whatever brightness and colour you want. Have fun!

Jaycar have an online store too and anyone with a multimeter can test the bulb for you. (You can use Ohms law to get the resistance from the wattage and voltage but doesn't really work on vehicles cos the voltage of your bike isn't 12v and the real wattage of your bulb would vary from what it says a bit too. Two wrong questions will ensure you get the wrong answer! Easier to test.

[klyong82]

I want to install brighter ones behind my speedo. I can see, but want brighter. What can I replace the bulb with?

My original bulbs were 1.7W and when I was at Mt Eden Motorcycles they sold me 3.4W saying it won't be a problem. I change 2 out of my 5 bulbs with the 3.4W. Significantly brighter and is still working after 1 and the half years.

Imagine if you can get coloured bulbs? breakaway you can make a multi coloured speedo woohooooo

[Pancakes]

Imagine if you can get coloured bulbs? breakaway you can make a multi coloured speedo woohooooo

Our car failed a WOF once for the high stop light being "not red enough". The guy told my wife his mate would put a new one in on the spot for only $40!
I got 40 cents of celophane and wrapped it over the bulb a few times. Easy peasy! It's been in there over a year now and hasn't melted or anything.

[Terminated]

G'day A_H,

I put new bulbs in my GN very early on when I had it as the originals were useless. Things were fine after that.

Heads Up and Enjoy:yes::scooter::yes::scooter::yes::scooter:

[delusionz]

Would just like to add that blown bulbs are common on Chinese makes. You may need to get at the source of the problem if you experience repetitive bulb blowouts, possibly the alternator or rectifier. If you can do so, check the wiring for adequate gauge & any possible shorting as well as checking if you have the right fuses.

Last thing you need is for your tail light to go out at night.

[breakaway]

Thanks for all the input guys. Unfortunately my speedo cable has gone and f**ked itself, so I can't see my speedo during day or night :lol: