Speedo Background

[azsnow]

You can change the background of your Buell speedometer using MS Paint. More to come!

[azsnow]

Use this as a template. Save it, open an image in MS Paint, and then select paste from. Select the option that will allow you to only see the outline. Drag it over your image, type in your numbers or words using your desired font, and then print it on a quality printer using card stock paper. Cut to fit! You may have to adjust the size. Its all trial and error at this point!
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/9429/dxe1.jpg

[BuellPartsGuy]

My stocker does just fine, thanks.....

[paperclip]

THat is sweet! I am all about modifying the little things. Putting my name (or the buell's name) in the speedo would look sweet, and this would make it look professional.

[azsnow]

Some of us like to do things with our bikes that make them ours. Anybody can buy the crap the dealer sells.

[azsnow]

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4489/egaguageat3.jpg
Here is one for you other Jarheads besides myself! Feel free to use it, or get to work and make one youself! (Except for the guy that works at Arrowhead, you just go buy one from work)

[buellxb]

That's pretty sweet. Is that image the perfect size once you print it out? [up]

[aircub]

Ok but what about night riding?

[BuellPartsGuy]

Damn right, I love employee discounts....:D

[buellxb]

You could get a razor blade or exacto knife and cut out the numbers, etc so that the light would come through. Or you could get some glow in the dark paint and paint the numbers if you have a steady hand.

[azsnow]

Actually the you will need an exacto knife and cut out the blocks for the numbers. If you use white or orange for your numbers, they will reflect the backlight. The size is almost perfect, you might have to play with it a bit to get it dead on. dont cut it out untill you have a good fit, and you may also want to leave some overhang on the edges. This will be covered by the guage surround.

[bigt1006]

Dude that is so sweet.

[bradbolt]

hey azsnow...
could you post some pics after the install...looks great, can't wait to see it on the bike itself

[certifiedbiker]

Great info! Thanks! That's a lot of help for beginners like me.

____________________
Kawasaki Mule Performance Parts (http://www.who-sells-it.com/cy/kawasaki-usa-735/kawasaki-mules-catalog-492.html) - Download the Kawasaki Mules Catalog by Kawasaki USA

[Seizer]

Hi I am new here, but wanted to say thanks for the template use. Here's two versions of the same gauges my buddy whipped up for me. He is amazing at what he does, and would be willing to do any style gauge for anyone. You name it he can do it. If you would rather see a pic of your bike there, send him the file and bam its there looking great. Whatever you could dream for your gauge picture he can do it. So if anyone is interested just post and I will get you his information. Thanks again for the template.
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1082086/Copyofbuellprojectcopy.jpg
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1082086/Copyofbuellprojectworkingcopy.jpg

[azsnow]

Sweet! And no, I have not done anything else to my scooter lately. I do have the printout of the guage background. Lucky for me, I have a lazer printer at work, but I have printed it on a high quality inkjet, and that works as well. You might have to play with the scale to get it to fit perfect, but once you get it right, its yours, not someone elses!

[DruAdams]

i like the lay out of the original speedo, but has anyone tried changing the color of the backlights? I want to see about flipping them to Red or Blue from the white

[XBear9S]

You can change the background of your Buell speedometer using MS Paint.

Now I just need to figure out what "MS Paint" is...
Duh?

I'm assuming is software???

Robtk!42 a.k.a. "Specialk!"

[midlifecrisis]

MicroSoft paint, every computer running Windows has it.

[LeFox]

azsnow, just wondering, is this layout the same as the metric one?

[whitefirebolt9r]

where do u get the numbers for the speedometer, the blank template doesnt have mph numbers or rpm numbers

[azsnow]

You have to type those on yourself, just use the marks for reference. i know it takes some time and a couple of tries to get it just right, but I saw another member on here that did this to his bike, and I think it looks sweet! If anybody else has done this mod, post some pics!

[typeone]

i worked on this mod as well :D limited quantity left.. . PDGMoto.com (http://www.pdgmoto.com)

http://www.pdgmoto.com/images/img_main_dashface.jpg

[azsnow]

Not sure of the kph/mph conversion, print it out and lay it ontop of your old one to check it.

[whitefirebolt9r]

i tried using microsoft paint but its to complicated, good luck to the rest of you tryin this mod.

[squiers007]

You should be able to put this into Adobe Photoshop and do all kinds of cool stuff. I will try some stuff soon and post some pics when I get them done.

[XBear9S]

I'm curious what you guys are doing to prevent fading?
With my bike parked in the hot Texas sun all the time,
I can't imagine this would last very long...

Robtk! a.k.a. "SpecialK!"


WARNING: "The riding of XB's may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people."
--Miller Buelling Co.

[mrdozer2you]

If you use a good heavy (photo type paper) why not get an exterior clear coating? Most exteriors have UV absorbers to prevent fading. You can find it in spray cans as well...in just about any gloss level you want. I would test a bit first to see if the propellant used will dissolve the ink on the picture you use. That would be my only concern...but worth a shot definitely.

[keisersozae]

i started a few but my limited skills will probably kill it.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/keisersozae/dxe2.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee59/keisersozae/dxe1.jpg

[Bigauggy]

i made some. You can get one of them here.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?7f9t4xijlzj

Im gonna put more up. This is the link for the different color bulbs in the dash.

http://superlumination.com/74.htm

You want the NEO Wedge TYPE A they are the ones that fit. they are 2 or 3 bucks apiece.

[typeone]

Bigauggy, have you actually installed the Type A's? curious if they fit and if there were any issues.

I have the super white's on order.

[Bigauggy]

i have not. I am pioneering as well. From my research, and other forums I believe that they will fit based on the dimensions i have from the dash diagrams. stock bulb height is 7mm Type A are 8mm. Type A is the smallest that fits the other dimensions of the stock bulbs. I have super white, and ultraviolet on order as well. Thanks for replying.

[typeone]

well, my Type A's came in. I'm not so happy and will continue the hunt. Here's my write-up from BadWeb:

The thread we were discussing this went into archive land, you can find the original here: Gauge Cluster Overlay

To continue the discussion, I finally received my LED Type A's from superlumination.com and had a little time at lunch to investigate. As I had assumed, I'm not really into the way they fit. Sure you can screw them in, and they do work but the clearance is super-super tight which caused the LED to be very bright in one spot.

To help others investigating this mod, I took a snap and made some measurements of the stock bulbs vs. the LED Type A. Here's what I found out.

http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/typeone_xb12s_bulbspecs.jpg

My next plan of attack was to remove the LED bulb and use my stock neowedge base, but that didnt go so well. Upon attempting to gently remove the LED, first straightening the leads out, it broke away, ruining the bulb. Ooops. Very fragile.

I'm going to contact Superlumination.com today and send them this pic, see what they say.

The only positive, the light emitting from the LED was very crisp and clean, just not focused correctly because of its height. At least for my standards. I'm sure some would be fine with overly bright spots but I know it would continue to bug me.

[Bigauggy]

Very informative. I havent gotten mine in yet, but thats good to know. I wish i would have known how they would have turned out i wouldnt have posted the link. Thanks again for the info.

[Bigauggy]

has anyone thought about using a 1mm shim, or washer to help space the led from the circuit board. Any thoughts? lemme know

[henri66]

Could not find it in any other post. But it might be there somewhere:


Custom XB backgrounds from Europe (http://www.xbdashboards.com/index_us.html)

Sure give a lot of options and possibilities...

[xtremelow]

azsnow I do have to say thanks. Been rocking this gauge face since you posted it up.http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/520_20070709222718_L.jpg

[RyBuell]

Looks like there are a few posts on this subject...here's what I came up up with in photoshop.

[RyBuell]

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2296_20090628181730_L.jpg

From photoshop you can add graphics as you like.

[xtremelow]

What I did was downloaded the original template and made a ton of my own playing with designs and colors but just ended up using the one azsnow posted since I am a USMC Vet.

[RyBuell]

They all look great!!! my only problem is cutting out the section for the LCD cleanly...took me like 3 trys to get a good one. any ideas or suggestons?

[xtremelow]

I used an Exacto blade, the one that looks like a silver pencil with a small triangular blade on the end. Got it in re first time.

After you get it all the holes cut out get it laminated, then go back and cut the needle holes out again but just slightly smaller than before and bam you are done an ready to rock the new cluster face.

[RyBuell]

Laminating...thats a genius idea. thanks

[cb21983]

So if I am reading this right the only thing we have to cut out is the dashes to let the light through? other than that we can just print the numbers right?

[braindead]

I am definitely trying this when i get time

[xtremelow]

I didnt cut out anything except the digital readout box, light get through, maybe not as bright but still gets through[up]

[lokatwhaticando]

I got my from buellxbdashboards.com for $30 shipped. He will work with you with what you want, and how you want it. you could also send him photos of what you would like to have on you dashboard and he'll make it work only thing it take 4 weeks to get it. I love mine and it was very easy to install it took me 15mins.

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/6132_20100717133609_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/6132_20100717133703_L.jpg

[cb21983]

I have emailed him with my request at buelldashboards.com got a reply pretty fast stating he was on vacation for a week that he would contact me when he gets back. Can't wait to get something in the works.

[lokatwhaticando]

Yeah he's a coo guy ans very easy to work with even by email.. He know s his ****.. lol He can also make them in color.[cool]

[misternikko]

how hard is it to open the cluster and put this in?

[RyBuell]

Not hard at all actually, just jump right in: making sure to keep track of where everything goes, but as far as actually opening the cluster and changing the backround, its quite easy. I was told to use 2 spoons to pull the needles off evenly, a hairdryer works well to loosen the glue on the back of the spedo...good luck!

[lokatwhaticando]

Here you go really easy to do. Just follow it step by step and you'll be good..

http://www.xbdashboards.com/catalog/buell-xb-dashboards_page_Mounting.html

[misternikko]

thanks lokathaicando!! That site is awesome! def getting one of those! and they are relatively cheap and have free worldwide shippin!

[brightbuell]

If you have photoshop you can save $30.

[2004xb12s]

i recommend photoshop...ms paint is a pain in the ass and it never looks quite right...i can make it look decent but never perfect and im pretty good with computers

[2004xb12s]

has anyone thought about putting an led strip behind the guages??

[chevnut55]

i went with buelldashes.com .i did not get it yet but it cost around $50. with shipping. i did not get exactly what i wanted because the plastic ones can not be changed,they will custom make one on paper but it does not look as good.he seems great to deal with.
i hope to find a small xb12r firebolt decal for the dash face before installing it.

[TXgold]

how do you take the xb12r speedo off and apart to put new paper face

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

Txgold;
click on the link above to service manuals and follow the instructions in it to remove fairing and speedo/cluster and then just follow from there on the instructions here,
http://www.xbdashboards.com/catalog/buell-xb-dashboards_page_Mounting.html

[chevnut55]

i just installed mine,im happy with it but it cost a bit more $45. and i could not change or add anything ,all i wanted was the black with checkerd bottom but to have the xb12r witten in,so i did it myself. the only mistake i made was i pressed on the speedo needle too hard and had to take it all apart to get it working. so test it before you re-install it.

[jimijeans]

Well It's About time some Military dash clusters(fxxxs) showed up on some Buells. Some guy Andre in France Made me one I drew up . Also got one he had in stock for my street bike as well. USMC 4-ever

[tdmfun]

Hello

Here's mine from XBDashboard. Just 15 euro.
Fits great.

Even matches the color of my Sunset Orange
bike. Just need to change the white and red from position for better notice.

nullhttp://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/8375_20110119223539_L.jpg;)

[MAGIC]

Can't wait for mine to arrive.
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/3029_20110224000335_L.jpg

[Cherryskullz]

I made this one myself... yes i know its girly... but like i told RT perf and our roomie... I AM A GIRL lol

I used the same design as the tattoo on my back

This is the one mod on my bike that RT did not help me do. :D

Day
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/7626_20110308132919_L.jpg

Night
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/7626_20110308133110_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/7626_20110308134158_L.jpg

[RT Performance]

I hope my 1125r doesn't have any issues this summer or i am going to have to hide that cluster when i ride it LOL

[Cherryskullz]

aww im sorry lol makes you wonder if i made it really girly just so u wouldnt want to ride it?

[firebolt020283]

lol sounds like something my wife would do.

[Loki]

Another girl on here? [confused]
Where do all you guys find such awesome women who share your passion of riding? Hell, where do you find women that want to be with you?

Count yourselves very lucky.

[RT Performance]

LOL Loki she had never even been on a road bike before she met me.
But after sevral rides on the back of mine. i bought an extra bike my 1125r and she decide she wanted to learn.
Did have to go and kidnap her from NC and suprising enough she still Likes me even though i live in the rotten state of michigan

[tdmfun]

Has anyone done this with there dasch and gearindicator?
Found it on a german site.

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/8375_20110316195306_L.jpg

[j4nn3]

^ Now that's cool! Mind sharing the link..?

[tdmfun]

No problem.

Here is the link. With how to do!

http://www.buellmotorcycles.de/category/ganganzeige-buell-xb12sx

[heagachongoose]

i know this an old thread but here is a design i worked up earlier today while bored in class lol

nullhttp://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/14909_20130204115718_L.jpg

[Loki]

What on earth is going on with that and what is a "EUELL XE9R"?

[heagachongoose]

No. That actually says "BUELL XB9R" believe it or not. Im a huge tron fan and that just happens to be the tron font. Sadly the B's look just like the E's but its still pretty sweet if you ask me. I cleaned it up and rearranged a few things and her is how it stands now.


http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/14909_20130204143949_L.jpg

[nemoxb]

Im working on one right now. But im going to move red line to about the 12 o'clock position.

[SilveradoTX]

Where do all you guys find such awesome women who share your passion of riding? Hell, where do you find women that want to be with you?

Count yourselves very lucky.

Texas.

Well, that's where I met my wife... And I am one very lucky and blessed guy.
My wife wants to get her Class-M endorsement which I'm hoping will be sometime this summer when we have some time, and then hopefully in the next couple years we'll get her a bike of her own.

Meanwhile, back on the guages... I feel like I've seen it somewhere, but how do you get the dash to be solid during the day and then show another image at night? I'm sure this is simple and I've just missed it somewhere or can't think of it at the moment.

And tdmfun, great find. [up]