Instrument lights
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- pshaginaw
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:53 pm
- Location: Waynesville, NC
- Motorcycle: 1978 Honda GL1000
1987 Yamaha Virago XV535T
1975 Honda CB360T
1999 Honda Valkryrie
2005 Suzuki Boulevard S40
Instrument lights
How can I get the instrument lights in my '78 GL1000 to be brighter? Going through the tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway, I can barely see my spedo and tach, and I cannot see my temp, fuel, and voltage lights at all. In my garage, by cupping my hands around the guages I can see the lights are all on. I have stock bulbs in the fixtures and have replaced the 7v regulator. All other electrics work fine.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (wife's!)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Instrument lights
These bulbs after years of use, tend to coat the inside of the bulb with metal that is evaporated from the filament. The end result looks something like this:

When this happens, the amount of light getting out of the bulb is minimal. I'd suggest replacing them with LEDs, which put out lots of light, won't go dark like this, and will last many times longer than the original bulbs.
When this happens, the amount of light getting out of the bulb is minimal. I'd suggest replacing them with LEDs, which put out lots of light, won't go dark like this, and will last many times longer than the original bulbs.
- Fred Camper
- Posts: 1337
- Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:15 pm
- Location: Metro Detroit, MI
- Motorcycle: 1977 GL1000, 1976 LTD GL1000
Re: Instrument lights
1 smd led work great for most, I used 5 smd led for the tach and speedo and the results were outstanding. Pics on my build page at Ngwclub. Search Fred Camper Baddog.
- pshaginaw
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:53 pm
- Location: Waynesville, NC
- Motorcycle: 1978 Honda GL1000
1987 Yamaha Virago XV535T
1975 Honda CB360T
1999 Honda Valkryrie
2005 Suzuki Boulevard S40
Re: Instrument lights
Took Fred Camper's advice and changed to LED's. Got some on-line that were for late model Ford dashboard illumination. Direct swap for the #53 incandescent bulbs I was using. Came in a pack of 20 for less than 5 bucks with free shipping. Real happy with the results. Bright enough to see now, but not distracting. Thanx for the advice.
- swr1977
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:18 am
- Location: Puyallup, Washington, USA
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Re: Instrument lights
OK.. I know this post was from several years ago but I'm wondering if you have or remember what type / LED # you ordered? I'd like to do the same but don't know what to search for on ebay.pshaginaw wrote: ↑Mon Aug 31, 2015 6:36 pmTook Fred Camper's advice and changed to LED's. Got some on-line that were for late model Ford dashboard illumination. Direct swap for the #53 incandescent bulbs I was using. Came in a pack of 20 for less than 5 bucks with free shipping. Real happy with the results. Bright enough to see now, but not distracting. Thanx for the advice.
For Some there's THERAPY, for the Rest of Us There are MOTORCYCLES
- SnoBrdr
- Posts: 683
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:01 am
- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL 1000
129K Original Owner
Re: Instrument lights
Should be just a #53 bulb, like these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/20Pcs-BA9S-LED ... 2767532421swr1977 wrote: ↑Fri May 11, 2018 10:46 amOK.. I know this post was from several years ago but I'm wondering if you have or remember what type / LED # you ordered? I'd like to do the same but don't know what to search for on ebay.pshaginaw wrote: ↑Mon Aug 31, 2015 6:36 pmTook Fred Camper's advice and changed to LED's. Got some on-line that were for late model Ford dashboard illumination. Direct swap for the #53 incandescent bulbs I was using. Came in a pack of 20 for less than 5 bucks with free shipping. Real happy with the results. Bright enough to see now, but not distracting. Thanx for the advice.
I found using them to be too bright, I probably should have used a lower Lum.
- swr1977
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:18 am
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Re: Instrument lights
Thanks... I don't usually ride at night so I don't think them being to bright will be an issue for me. I do need to find replacement #1157s for my turn signals. and I think I'll need to replace the turn signal relay? could you tell me when you get them for a good price?SnoBrdr wrote: ↑Fri May 11, 2018 8:23 pmShould be just a #53 bulb, like these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/20Pcs-BA9S-LED ... 2767532421
I found using them to be too bright, I probably should have used a lower Lum.
For Some there's THERAPY, for the Rest of Us There are MOTORCYCLES
- SnoBrdr
- Posts: 683
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:01 am
- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL 1000
129K Original Owner
Re: Instrument lights
I've found that buying LEDs at a "good price" is a bad idea.swr1977 wrote: ↑Mon May 14, 2018 2:29 pmThanks... I don't usually ride at night so I don't think them being to bright will be an issue for me. I do need to find replacement #1157s for my turn signals. and I think I'll need to replace the turn signal relay? could you tell me when you get them for a good price?SnoBrdr wrote: ↑Fri May 11, 2018 8:23 pmShould be just a #53 bulb, like these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/20Pcs-BA9S-LED ... 2767532421
I found using them to be too bright, I probably should have used a lower Lum.
They don't last for crap.
I get mine here: https://www.superbrightleds.com/
You can't get them for half their price at Walmart but you don't get tech support nor do they last.
The ones from China are even worse in my experience.
You also need to know what color to get for what lense.
- swr1977
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:18 am
- Location: Puyallup, Washington, USA
- Motorcycle: 1978 Goldwing GL1000
- Contact:
Re: Instrument lights
I've been putting off ordering any because I don't know what to order at https://www.superbrightleds.com/ as they have many different LED replacements options for the #1157 and #53! Can you make any suggestions? (provide a link to what you ordered?) You mentioned needing to know what color to get for the lense... I was just going to order all white because the brake/turn signal lenses are already red/orange.SnoBrdr wrote: ↑Mon May 14, 2018 3:19 pmI've found that buying LEDs at a "good price" is a bad idea.
They don't last for crap.
I get mine here: https://www.superbrightleds.com/
You can't get them for half their price at Walmart but you don't get tech support nor do they last.
The ones from China are even worse in my experience.
You also need to know what color to get for what lense.
Also they don't have a direct replacement for the turn signal relay. I don't want to wire in what they have...
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... ry_of=1915
Somewhere I found a replacement rely that was the same size and shape as original but now I can't find it! Any idea?
For Some there's THERAPY, for the Rest of Us There are MOTORCYCLES
- SnoBrdr
- Posts: 683
- Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:01 am
- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- Motorcycle: 1978 GL 1000
129K Original Owner
Re: Instrument lights
This is what I ordered:swr1977 wrote: ↑Thu May 24, 2018 3:45 pmI've been putting off ordering any because I don't know what to order at https://www.superbrightleds.com/ as they have many different LED replacements options for the #1157 and #53! Can you make any suggestions? (provide a link to what you ordered?) You mentioned needing to know what color to get for the lense... I was just going to order all white because the brake/turn signal lenses are already red/orange.SnoBrdr wrote: ↑Mon May 14, 2018 3:19 pmI've found that buying LEDs at a "good price" is a bad idea.
They don't last for crap.
I get mine here: https://www.superbrightleds.com/
You can't get them for half their price at Walmart but you don't get tech support nor do they last.
The ones from China are even worse in my experience.
You also need to know what color to get for what lense.
Also they don't have a direct replacement for the turn signal relay. I don't want to wire in what they have...
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... ry_of=1915
Somewhere I found a replacement rely that was the same size and shape as original but now I can't find it! Any idea?
2 1157-R18-T: Red
1 1157-A27-T: Amber
2 1156-A27-T: Amber
2 BA9S-AHP5: Amber
As far as the color: https://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb ... olorChoice
- swr1977
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Sun Sep 29, 2013 9:18 am
- Location: Puyallup, Washington, USA
- Motorcycle: 1978 Goldwing GL1000
- Contact:
Re: Instrument lights
Thanks...SnoBrdr wrote: ↑Thu May 24, 2018 4:00 pm
This is what I ordered:
2 1157-R18-T: Red
1 1157-A27-T: Amber
2 1156-A27-T: Amber
2 BA9S-AHP5: Amber
As far as the color: https://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb ... olorChoice
I'm looking at https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... 2077/4726/ but don't know which to order for the white... what do you think would be better Cool 6100K or Warm 2700K for the instrument panel lights?
Did you replace your turn signal relay? I don't want to wire in what they have...
https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinf ... ory_of=811
Somewhere I found a replacement rely that was the same size and shape as original but now I can't find it! Any ideas?
For Some there's THERAPY, for the Rest of Us There are MOTORCYCLES