Half of the dash lights on my 2005 LX50 2T had packed up due to corrosion on the crappy flexible circuit board Piaggio insist on using.
Yesterday I set about to do away with the flimsy plastic nightmare forever.
To do this you'll need:
9 pre-wired T5 bulb holders
9 T5 3 SMD automotive LEDs in whatever colours you fancy - I kept the original colours with the exception of the back lights which I made blue
Heat shrink and heat gun (or cig lighter!)
Waterproof 6 way pre-wired automotive connector
Waterproof 3 way pre-wired automotive connector
3 small ring connectors - either solder or crimp
Soldering iron, wire strippers etc and basic ability to solder..
1. Deep breath. Cut off the two loom plugs that connect to the rear of the headset. Using heat shrink, connect your 2 new plugs. Make a note of your wiring - the new won't match the old colours.
2. Remove the clear clock battery cover and 3 fuel gauge screws. Remove the bulb holders. Remove the PCB and burn it. Just kidding - keep it so you can confirm your wiring.
3. The trickiest bit. Replace all 9 bulb holders with your new pre-wired T5 holders. Wire them together, some in series, and then eventually back to the new 3 way and 6 way connectors. You are replicating the circuit on the PCB. I can provide the exact details if anyone's interested. Amongst your wiring you will need to incorporate 3 ring connectors - these connect to the fuel gauge screws.
4. Check everything..
5. Connect your new loom up. Unplug all your bulb holders. Start your engine - insert LEDs of your choice and check each one - the polarity is impossible to see so it's just trial and error as to which way the LEDs go in. When happy plug your holders in properly and replace your headset covers, etc.
Enjoy your new lights! The whole thing cost less than £20 from eBay, even in ripoff Britiain. Happy to answer any questions - I'm neither a mechanic or an electrician though!
If I was to do it again I would maybe make the wiring a bit neater but overall I'm very pleased.
Untitled by Andy Boucher, on Flickr
Untitled by Andy Boucher, on Flickr
Untitled by Andy Boucher, on Flickr
Untitled by Andy Boucher, on Flickr
Untitled by Andy Boucher, on Flickr
Untitled by Andy Boucher, on Flickr
Untitled by Andy Boucher, on Flickr
Untitled by Andy Boucher, on Flickr