Whoops, Gauge-Light Bulb Issue Help
 

Well this one makes me feel stupid. I pulled my clock and replaced the glass from a broken unit I bought from a fellow P-head (thanks BK), all went well, and while I'm there I go ahead and replace the bulb. WEll, not being able to leave well-enough alone, may as well replace them all, right? Well in the speedo, I replaced the bottom bulb and as I inserted it back into the speedo, heard the bulb come loose and it is now rattling around in the base. Anyone have any ideas other than taking it completely apart on how I can fix this?

Have you ever dropped your guitar pick into the sound hole of your guitar? Kinda the same scenario. I would remove the speedometer and try holding it "back-side" down while shaking it around and see if you can pursuade the bulb to fall out from one of the holes. Other than that, you'll have to disassemble the speedo.

Chris,
BTDT, more than once, and recently [occupational hazard of the LED experiment].

Fishing for a bulb dropped in the speedo is a little tricky, because the bulbholder guide tube extends INTO the back of the case, rather than OUT OF the back of the case, which means there's little chance of it falling out as David describes, but you will be able to fish it out.

Set the speedo on its face, and jiggle until you can see the bulb. Attach something sticky [double sided tape, gum, etc] to a slim probe, and carefully 'stick' the end of the bulb to the probe. Its frustrating, but this is faster and less risky than opening the case, removing the pointer, and removing the gauge face - which is the other alternative.

Good fishing!

How about one of those little magnet things (telescopes, about the size of a pen). That would still hold the bulb while you maneuvered the magnet to the bottom nipple of the bulb so you could pull it straight through the hole.

Argo
88 Targa

Had it happen to me. I wrapped duct tab around a toothpick and doubled the tape with sticky side out. Rattled the bulb to line up with the opening and was able to pull it back out. Took about 5 to 10 minutes.

I used to beat up on Hornets for a living. Sorry, it's New Years and I'm drinking Kettle.

Happy New Years!!