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I thought I would create a new post for this little task since it was kind of a fun. My 1959 VBA speedometer did not have a light bulb. It just had this empty slot and I had no idea how the original bulb was mounted.
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Voodoo gave this this old crusty speedo (at least what was left of it) that had a bulb. Original? Who knows, but I was going to find out what was behind door number one.
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So this was interesting. The speedo was lit by 2 of the smallest incandescent bulbs I've ever seen.
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I really couldn't use any of the pieces from Voodoo's speedometer, but it did give me some ideas on lighting my own. A bit of searching showed that these bulbs had an E5 base (5mm) and I found some E5 bulb holders and E5 base 6V bulbs. A scrap of sheet metal, a drill, tin snips, needle nose pliers, length of wire, soldering iron and 30 minutes later, I had a replacement bulb holder for my clamshell speedo.
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Hooked
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Posts: 194 Location: no matter where you go, there you are |
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Ossessionato
Vespas 1964 GS160, 1965 SS180, 1977 V9A1T, 1983 PX150E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2537 Location: Siam |
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Ossessionato
Vespas 1964 GS160, 1965 SS180, 1977 V9A1T, 1983 PX150E
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2537 Location: Siam |
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Be aware of two bulbs overheating and melting something. One is probably enough. It looks a bit to bright to me. Piaggio always had good reasons for what they designed.
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nomadinsiam wrote: Be aware of two bulbs overheating and melting something. One is probably enough. It looks a bit to bright to me. Piaggio always had good reasons for what they designed. ⚠️ Last edited by flyngti on UTC; edited 1 time
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Veni, Vidi, Posti
74 Super, 75 Super, PX project, LML off-roader and '66 Blue Badge Smallframe
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Instead of two bulbs, you may be able to fit in a layer of something to diffuse the light to reduce or eliminate hotspots. Depending on heat, some typing paper or rice paper might do the job. Maybe a thin sheet of frosted acrylic.
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I had to do something similar with my GS 150 vs4 speedo, which had the same kind of slot on the side. Mine took a single festoon bulb however. I used an old fuse holder mounted on a thick bakelite base that just barely fit into the slot to hold the bulb inside. I had to grind down the base quite a bit to make it thin enough to allow for installing in the head slot. Seems to work well, and is very solidly soldered in place, but I haven't tested it. Not sure how to yet.
The bulb holder looks to be some kind of wood now that I look at it. Perhaps Lignum Vitae? Don't remember where it came from.
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nickton wrote: I had to do something similar with my GS 150 vs4 speedo, which had the same kind of slot on the side. Mine took a single festoon bulb however. I used an old fuse holder mounted on a thick bakelite base that just barely fit into the slot to hold the bulb inside. I had to grind down the base quite a bit to make it thin enough to allow for installing in the head slot. Seems to work well, and is very solidly soldered in place, but I haven't tested it. Not sure how to yet. |
Veni, Vidi, Posti
'15 GTS300, '86 PX125EFL, '66 VBB, '01 ET4
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sdjohn wrote: I like your finished product, good work there |
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The wiring diagram I got for my vs4 from scooterhelp says 1.5 a , which is the same for the pilot light. I don't know how bright it is yet because I don't want to charge the battery before getting the correct ignition coil.
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nickton wrote: The wiring diagram I got for my vs4 from scooterhelp says 1.5 a , which is the same for the pilot light. I don't know how bright it is yet because I don't want to charge the battery before getting the correct ignition coil. |
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Sorry I meant W. I always get those mixed up for some reason. My scooter is a 6 v system and I have a new battery that I haven't charged yet because I'm waiting for the tooth fairy to provide some money to get the right ignition coil. I'm sure I have other problems too, but I won't discover those until I get her started up I think.
I have a thread going like yours under GS 150 restoration. I'm also a newbie. just made my own spare tire holder.
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