How to install LED Instrument Cluster Lights

[filter]

When I bought my 01 750 Dark, two of the instrument cluster bulbs were burned out, so I figured since I had to replace them anyway, I'd go ahead and try to make them blue.

The bulbs in the Monster instrument cluster look to be a #194, available at any auto parts store.  I tried some blue incandescent #194 bulbs from O'Reilly and they were far too dim to see.

The instrument cluster has four #194 bulbs.

To take this to the next level, I ordered some LEDs from http://superbrightleds.com.   They have several options.   I ended up with four of each of the following types:

• 4 WLED-BLX 1 watt Blue LEDs (this is the brightest option sold by them).  At $9.95 each they were expensive.  They ended up being too bright and they didn't quite fit correctly because they were too tall, so I don't recommend these unless you really want to blind yourself!   (See photos below).
• 4 WLED-B-120 120 degree wide viewing angle blue LEDs.  These were only $0.97 each and have a wider viewing angle, so I decided to buy them as a backup... and I'm glad I did, since they worked out great!

Here are the tools you will need:

• 8mm nut driver or deep socket + wrench
• Allen wrench that will fit the bolts that hold the instrument cluster (I don't know what size it is, but I found one in my collection that worked)
• Vise grips to help remove the rubber light mount from the socket (optional, you can try with your fingers or a needlenose pliers)
• Screwdriver (optional, to help with removing bulb mounts)

Step 1: Remove the instrument cluster from the bike

This is done by unscrewing the two gold allen bolts as shown here:



Next, you will have to unscrew the speedometer cable and the electrical cable that are going into the instrument cluster.  You can use your fingers for this.



You should now have the cluster removed.

Step 2: Remove the nuts holding the tach and speedometer in place

There are four bolts, nuts, and washers on the "back" of the cluster as shown here.  Use your 8mm socket or nut driver to unscrew them.  This will allow you to remove the tach and speedo from the cluster.



Step 3: Replace the bulbs

Here's the real meat and potatoes.  The tach and speedo each have two bulbs in them that are mounted via a rubber gasket mount in the back.



You just have to pull out these gaskets.  I used a vise grip on the rubber knob,  but I did end up ripping one of those off, so be careful.   It required quite a lot of force to pull these out... just be sure to pull straight out and you'll be fine.  You can also use the screwdriver to pry them out, but I found that to be more difficult than the vise grip.

Below, you can see the previous "blue" #194 incandescent bulb I had tried out.  It sucked; don't even bother using them!!



Replace the bulb with one of these babies:



And shove it back into the tach/speedo.   Do this for all four bulbs.

Step 4: Reassemble

Now, put it all back together in reverse order.  You may have to jam the speedo cable back inside with some force.

Step 5: Enjoy your new instrument cluster!



Not a bad mod for under $5!  I imagine the red LEDs would look great, too.

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Here's a photo of the cluster comparing the 1 watt WLED-BLX bulbs and the WLED-B-120.



The WLED-B-120 is on the left in the speedometer.  The WLED-BLX is in the tach.

Note that the BLX is about 1/8" too long to fit in the area allowed for the bulb, so the mount stuck out a bit, which seemed like a bad idea.  Also, you can't really tell from the photo, but the smaller viewing angle of 90 degrees on the BLX made it so that you could really see where the bulbs were located... and it didn't look nearly as good.

Not to mention the "Wrath of God" brightness from the BLX!!

The short version:  Just get the WLED-X-120 bulbs, where X is the color you want.  They are plenty bright for the instrument cluster and they even fit correctly.

[He Man]

 

i wish my guages were like that!

[minnesotamonster]

Very cool. Might have to try this.

[carriesanaxe]

this an epic cheap mod
here are my results using green instead of blue:

[He Man]

looks good. how many MCDs are those?

these are mine they arent as birght as the picture leads it to be. i want to go brighter next time, possible change the background label.

[corvtt1969]

is it 194 type bulb for the S*Rs?

[COP TZR]

Wow I like that.... LOOOKS GREAT!!!  I hate the dull looking oem dull bulbs.  I'm curious what the red or orange would look like.  I'm going to try these out.

[He Man]

before you do, what bike do you have? its not that easy on S*R bikes. mine required a lot of work. breaking out hte soldering iron and doing SMD soldering. they dont use conventiona LEDs, they use plcc-4 LED

[filter]

Yep, the old clusters are much easier to deal with than the newer models, which require lots of soldering.

[Xzebet]

I tried red LEDs and IMHO it looks the best. But thats just me. 

[zarn02]

And for whatever it's worth, red doesn't affect is less detrimental to your night vision.

[He Man]

green doesnt affect night vision.

[Dellikose]

I know it's been a while, but here are the red LEDs in my M900 cluster for reference.

[Rudemouthsky]

Awesome, I am def doing this to my new 2001 dash! Thanks!