Author Topic: Instrument cluster foggy  (Read 6225 times)

Offline zalle

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Instrument cluster foggy
« on: January 23, 2017, 04:42:51 AM »
Hi guys,

Any ideas for fixing this? Obviously it's on the inside...

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  • K1100LT & Honda CBX1000

Offline Laitch

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Re: Instrument cluster foggy
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2017, 07:07:40 AM »
When it is heated with a hair dryer does it clear up?
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline zalle

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Re: Instrument cluster foggy
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2017, 08:08:25 AM »
Need to try that, I'm away for 2 weeks. My initial idea was to remove it, cut the cup around, clear the glass from the inside, and glue the cup back with silicone.
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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Instrument cluster foggy
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2017, 08:38:46 AM »
Is that the only foggy instrument?  The hair dryer should work, but be aware it could take a while to "cook" all the water vapor out of the housing.  I would pull the gauge out of the bike and put it into a warm(NOT HOT) oven set for 60C.  Pull the gauge light which will put a large opening in the back of the gauge.  Could take as long as a couple hours in there to get all the water out.

Don't cut the case.  That will just make matters worse. 
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline zalle

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Re: Instrument cluster foggy
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2017, 09:10:13 AM »
The other one is too, the temp. gauge. Clocks are fine...
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Offline Laitch

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Re: Instrument cluster foggy
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2017, 09:38:22 AM »
The hair dryer was to determine if it was actually condensation and not a defect on the interior of the window. Your strategy will determine what the problem is, Zalle.
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline zalle

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Re: Instrument cluster foggy
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2017, 10:03:46 AM »
Ok, I'll try that when I get back.

There's a lot of stuff I'm doing to it. I'm going to remove the fairing, gas tank, etc, and check everything.

Should I post photos of the process somewhere?
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Offline Laitch

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Re: Instrument cluster foggy
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2017, 10:56:06 AM »
Should I post photos of the process somewhere?
Yes. Start a thread in the Projects section and post them in it as you work on the bike.
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline alexis291

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Re: Instrument cluster foggy
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2017, 01:45:30 PM »
I tried a few of the fixes posted in these forums for my fogged up instrument cluster. The only thing that worked was silica gel. I don't think you can get away from the fact that there air has moisture in it which condenses on the cold glass in certain weathers. It's very hard to seal the instruments completely.


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Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Instrument cluster foggy
« Reply #9 on: January 23, 2017, 04:55:21 PM »
Yes, the temperature and fuel gauges are not air tight due to the light bulb socket that plugs into the back of the gauge.  Moisture gets in via damp air and is hard to get it out as quickly as it got in.  This is one  reason why it is not a good idea to replace the gauge light bulbs with LED's.  The bulbs act like small heaters to help clear moisture from the inside.

It is also possible that the plastic lens has been clouded by a previous owner cleaning it with window cleaner containing ammonia.  If that is the case, there is nothing I know of that you can do.
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

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