Changing dash lights on 5th gen

[reg71]

The time has come once again for me to fix something that I have been ignoring until I can't stand it anymore. While my redneck flashlight method was working for seeing the dash, it was also getting annoying by the time I made it to San Diego last week. Here is what I found out. 1. You can probably find a replacement bulb for the dash at Kragen's because I did. I chose the cheapest Philip's bulb they had which was about 3/4 of watt higher than stock. (they didn't have the standard bulb) 2. The job is pretty straightforward. 3. Changing the dash lights is much superior to shining a flashlight on the dash at night to see how fast you are going.

Skill level: Basic
Time: About 30 min
Curse word level: kindergarden (unless your faring stays are bent like mine)
Tools needed: Screwdriver, allen wrench (basic bike toolikit will handle this job)
Parts needed: BULB (12V 1.7W)(12V1.7W) (TOSHIBA),A AC <-- this is actual recc bulb not the one I ended up buying

Number of bulbs depends on how many have burned out on you. In my case I waiting until all four had gone out making both the tach and speedo invisible at night.

Step 1: Remove front fairing. You'll have to unplug the headlights and turn signals to be able to set the fairing down.

Step 2. Locate and remove the bulbs that need replacing. (see photos)



And then twist about 1.4 turn and pull out. The bulb pulls out easily.



I wore gloves because I have always heard that the oil from your fingers can shorten bulb life.

Step 3. replace with the new bulbs and then snap back into place

Step 4. replace fairing

Summary...I realize that this is a pretty straightforward job and most of you could easily figure it out, but here's the deal. If I post it up and you see the pics, you realize just how easy it is, and you do it rather than paying your mech $60 to do it whereas if I just typed a message saying it's pretty easy some of you would still be nervous about it.

Oh, and just because I had another picture I wanted to use, here is the dash from the front. You dont have to take off the beauty cover for this job, but I wanted to clean the back of my gauge lenses...



Also of note, the turn signals are a different bulb so if those go out, just take out the blown bulb and take it to the auto parts store with you.

Good luck!

[Meatloaf]

If only it were this easy for a 6th gen. Instead I have to decide whether to do it myself and solder in a bunch of LED's or send it off to bluegauges.com to get rid of the nasty stock color.

Nice writeup.

[adamjenkins]

I wish my 3 rd gen was that easy.