Instrument Bulbs "Fade Out"?

I hardly ever ride at night. Did yesterday, and was struck by how dim the instrument illumination was. The bulbs all seem to be working, they just look a lot dimmer than I remember from the good old days.

Do the incandescent bulbs fade out over time as the glass bubbles cloud up?

The electrical system is putting out the correct voltage, headlight and all other lights are very bright.

I reviewed what a PITA it is to change those little bulbs.....

Wondering if new bulbs would cure it. The bulbs in it are maybe ten years old?

Yep, the particles from the filament cloud the bulb over time, even the Quartz Iodine bulbs do this, but at a much lower degree. Try new bulbs, you'd be surprised at the differences.

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. It's just such a pain to have to remove the headlight, windshield, both instruments have to be unmounted and cables disconnected.

Is there a part number for the bulb?

All I know is that they are 3.4W. I looked I the manual and couldn't find a number.

kawasaki.com shows BULB 12V 3W Part # 92069-018.

www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?i...k%29&item=EM48-66412

Good Fortune!

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationYou are correct. They are 3.4w 12v Stanley bulbs. The Kawasaki part number is 92069-018. The Stanley number is BA9S G-10 A72A. Here are some on eBay. Ed

Thanks. Now I know what the part number is, I'll have to buy some.

I installed the Eiko 1891 bulbs from the auto parts store. The packaging says "heavy duty", so hopefully they'll hold up for a while... the sockets were a bear to remove, perhaps the hardest thing I've ever had to do to the bike.

Here's a topic w LED alternatives. Instrument panel bulbs - Eiko alternative?

The OEM Stanly bulbs are the only way to go. I've never had any luck with even the best auto parts store bulbs. I would also check both sides of the bulbs circuit, it sounds like either low voltage or a bad ground.