79 GS1000SN replacement Tach light

[Guest]

Got my 79 SN back together after being down for 15 years. the light that lights up the Tachometer, is not working. I imagine its burned out. is that a special bulb, or an easy replacement down to the auto parts store? the instrument lights, light up in an orange color. if it's a special bulb, what is the number,and where can I get a few? Thanks!l Thanks for the help'

[chuck hahn]

I dont know, but i am about to find out. I got one out on the top of the speedo side on mine.

[ChicagoBob]

The bulbs are standard small clear ones. They are held in a rubber-booted socket in the back of each gauge. You'll have to remove the back of the cluster to get at them.

[chuck hahn]

So they are the ones with the socket and two small nubs..not the flat ends with the wire elements that connect in the slot....correct?

[Nessism]

Socket with two nubs. They are a pain in the a$$ to get to so I recommend replacing them all preemptively. I did just that using OE Suzuki bulbs and two of them failed shortly thereafter - Suzuki must have a bad batch. Might be better to match them up and order from somewhere else.

[chuck hahn]

I got a few ofm the round socket ones on hand.. I asked about the flat ended push in style cuz i have seen those in different Zooks as well.

edit...How many are in there????

[Nessism]

edit...How many are in there????

I don't remember Chuck, but the S has quite a few (10 or so).

[fishnetter]

Thanks for the reply so far, but, I already know where they're located. my repair manual does not give a bulb number anywhere. so, I guess my question is still, is it a special bulb, or simply a drive down to Pep Boys for a replacement? or do I go to a Suzuki shop, which there are none in my area, and pray they can get the bulb? Thanks again for any help!

[chuck hahn]

This is the Suzuki stock bulb and all i can find on it is ..12V34W. 12 volt bulb...34 watts.. Should be the common one for almost everything from a 77 750 all the way up to the 78 and 79 1000s as far as i can establish.

[chuck hahn]

Yank one out of the cluster and head down to pep biys or autozone...cant hurt to investigate. I would also think that Jeff or Chris at Z1 would handily get some in the mail for you.

[fishnetter]

It's looking like it's going to be a real bear to get that bulk off! i've got the fairing and headlite off, and the bulb has a metal tab in front of it, i guess kind of a protector type thing, that tab is on a metal bracket that surrounds the instruments(Tack,Speedo), and there are real small screws holding the bracket in place around the Tach/Speedo and lord knows what else,that hold the bracket in place. geez, i hope it isn't gonna be difficult, but it's not looking that way.
I also have a problem with the turn signals "auto-cancel" system. the signals work, but, i need to cancel the signal manually. are those units easy to get? i think i've seen them on E-Bay.
I think i'm also going to need an engine temp sending unit. it appears not to be working properly either. i guess sitting around all those years, made a couple of things needing replacement. i suppose i can get that on E-Bay also. any place else i can get these items that you folks know of? please, let me know. Thanks!

[Nessism]

I also have a problem with the turn signals "auto-cancel" system. the signals work, but, i need to cancel the signal manually. are those units easy to get? i think i've seen them on E-Bay.
I think i'm also going to need an engine temp sending unit. it appears not to be working properly either. i guess sitting around all those years, made a couple of things needing replacement. i suppose i can get that on E-Bay also. any place else i can get these items that you folks know of? please, let me know. Thanks!

Those first generation turn signal control units are problematic. If you search the archives here you will discover no good solution other than conversion to manual signals. If you buy on ebay be sure the seller gives you a warranty since it's highly likely any you purchase won't work either.

As for the temp sensor, check the gauge itself while you have the cluster apart. The bimetal strip likes to snap off (I learned this the hard way). It's possible to fix them but it's not an easy process.

[fishnetter]

What's a bimetal strip? and where is it located? behind the gauge? I mean like the temp gauge worked fine when I took the bike apart. I did get into the area behind the instrument panel when I was cleaning the bike up before reassembely, but did not take the gauges out. that looked to be a scary job for a non mechanic like myself.
On this temp gauge, I have the fairing off, and the headlite off, and the h/l bucket dropped down above the fender. now, it looks like I have to disconnect the instrument panel from the triple tree, then take and unscrew the small screws that hold the bracket onto the back of the gauges,to get to a point where I have enough room to pull the bulbs from behind the metal tab on that bracket behind the bulb socket, described in my earlier post. does that sound accurate to those of you that have done this before on this SN model? if not. give me some other directions to get this done without messing something else up, and causing me more grief! Thanks again!

[sparki]

34w seems an awful lot!

[chuck hahn]

Thats what the bulb says...12V34W....