1979 Honda gauges look dim

[1979Honda]

I bought a 1979 Honda CB750 a while back, and noticed the gauges are hard to read at night. I took them apart and seen there is 2 bulbs on each gauge that are down in this tube at the top and bottom of each gauge. The bulbs are all good and i went and looked to see if i could find brighter bulbs that would fit. I found some that fit but not sure if they were even supposed to be brighter and tried them and it made no difference. All the other lights are nice and bright on the bike. Its just the gauges. It seems like the lights are down in the tubes too far to light it up good.

Is this just normal for these bikes?
or did anyone else have this too and know of a way to make them brighter?

Thanks

Honda_gauges.JPG

[Dr Josh]

I'm having the same problem, did anyone answer your question.  Thanks,   josh gates

[1979Honda]

No, no answers... I was hoping someone had the same problem and knew of some brighter bulbs or a way to put LED lights in somehow.

hopefully someone knows a way to make them brighter.

[Dr Josh]

If you put in LED lights, I believe you need to put in some kind of impedance for the lights to work. They do not pull enough electricity to work, so you need the impedance to pull more juice. I asked about doing my turn signals that way and that was the explanation I got.  

My gauges are still dim though.  

Thanks for the reply, if someone comes up with an answer, please forward it to me.   josh gates  

[Polymer-2]

Don't know which 750 you have but I have an F and the lights are dim on it too. I've changed to slightly brighter lights but no change. May just be normal.

[CB750Winger]

  I'm not sure about your's but my 75 takes 12v 3.4w so make sure you have the right ones. They for sure won't blind you but be able to see the gages ok in the dark. On the LEDs, they are fine for insruments, stoplights but get the multiple LEDs in the color they need to be. The more LEDs in the bulb of coarse better the light. For turn signals, you'll need the resistor kit because the flasher won't work. If your bike has a stop light indicator, pull it out because it won't go out, the system will think the tail light is out. Go to ledlights.com for good help on this. I've put LEDs everywhere but the turn signals on my Goldwing and they sure save on the battery.   Paul

[1979Honda]

Ahhh. I wasn't aware of that. So thankyou for letting me know that. And if i do get a reply. I'll try and let ya know.

thanks Josh

[1979Honda]

Ok, Thanks for the reply. I just now found some schematics on bikebandit.com that shows the size bulb you mentioned right before coming back to this site. I'll have to take the gauges apart and check the bulb size or just get the size you mentioned and put them in while its apart. I can just barely read the tops and bottoms of the gauges. Maybe the bulbs in there now are of a lower watt. I hope this helps make them bright enough to see my speedometer so i dont get pulled over riding at night. I was hoping maybe there was some kit that i didn't know about that someone came out with. But, if someone just had the wrong bulbs and this helps. Thats even better!

Thanks again!

O, and i'm going to check that other website you mentioned too. Sounds cool!