Just bought a VFR750, have instrument cluster problem

Hey, guys,
My first post on this forum.

I have been shopping for a second "upgrade" bike from my Ninja 250, and on a whim bought a 1994 Honda VFR750f. Took it for a test ride, couldn't stop grinning the entire time, and here I am 5 hours later with a "new old" bike.

Went to take a bike for a spin in the evening after I had dinner, and realized that instrument cluster does not light up! I feel like an idiot that I did not check that at the dealer. It was really bright out, and I did not even think to see if it was back lit.

The neutral light, stand light and turn signals light up, but I cant see the speedometer or tachometer , fuel or temperature gauge in the dark.

Just wanted to get your opinion. Potentially, how expensive of a fix this might be? How many light bulbs are there? Is it possible that all are burnt out? Could it be a fuse?

It is a "super used" bike, and I knew I was risking it when I was buying a 16 year old bike. The dealer told me that everything worked on the bike, and they did state inspection on it.

What is the best way for me to go about fixing it?

It's just a sour moment in an otherwise purchase that made me excited all day...

Thanks!

 

kinda doubt that all the bulbs went bad at once. Nice to have a schematic of the electrics for times like this. I dont know about Gen 4 bikes but my Gen 3 bike, you can get to the bulbs after you take the mirrors off and the wind-screen, and some other plastic stuff. I do have a fond memory of razor cutting the harness of a bandit 600 that didnt have instrument lights. There was a break in one of the solder connections, funny thing was that I was telling someone else that story and they actually owned a 600 bandit and had the same problem.

Musta been some Friday night / Monday morning electrics fer sure...

 

With a "used up" bike, difficult to replace (but non-necessary) parts like instrument bulbs typically fall to the wayside.

Start with what's easiest - replace a bulb or two behind the instrument cluster and see what happens.

 

Yep, that is what I would try first. It's the easiest, cheapest route. The bulbs can be had at just about any auto parts store. No need to buy them from Honda.

 

I Pull the cluster and check all bulbs with a test light for continuity. If no continuity, replace the bulbs.

Then I would look at the connector on the back of the gauges and make sure nothing is burned or bent. Take some needle nose pliers and straighten every little pin that looks bad ( disconnect the battery first, of course). Then get some dielectric grease. grease all up all the bulb sockets and the connector and all should be well. It may be moisture. It wouldn't surprise me if the bulbs ARE burnt out in both gauges as I have seen it before.

Best of luck

 

Easy...once you get the instrument cluster out, twist each bulb holder out one by one. Connect some test leads from a spare 12v source, like a spare motorcycle or even a car battery. Connect test leads to the bulb, if it doesn't light, the bulb is dead. After you have confirmed that each bulb is working, reconnect the gray and blue edge connectors to the back of the cluster and confirm again that all bulbs are working. Sometimes a little oxidation will form on the socket connections for the bulbs on the flexible circuit board. A pink pencil eraser works great at removing the oxidation, giving you a nice clean connection.

 

If you bought it from a dealer you may want to go back on them as it is a safety issue, worth a shot at least. Would be surprised if they just blew you off.