Interstate dash - What should illuminate?

[Zanderk98]

Hi all -

Just got back from my 1st highway voyage (32 miles) on my new-to-me '99 Interstate.  As I rode, sun went down & made me wonder what the dash is supposed to look like?  I clearly have some bulbs out as my speedo has no illumination.  My digital odometer display inside the speedo lights up & the display toggles between total mileage, trip 1, & trip 2 depending on what I selects that seems correct.

In the center section, all my indicator lights work properly as designed.  The upper center display where it shows clock/radio volume and the fuel gage doesn't illuminate at all.  I'm wondering if it's supposed to?  I would think it should & it would be much more rider friendly at night if it did. My tach probably also has a bulb out as its only partially illuminated.  The brightest part of the tach appears to be behind the 5-6.

Is this correct?  How should it look when working properly?  Do I have a bad connection somewhere?  Or a blown fuse?  On a separate note, the OEM speakers in the fairing suck.  I think the volume is sufficient but they really distort at about Vol 15 & up.  I see on the search there's tons of info on speaker upgrades but almost nothing on how the dash should illuminate.

[Bighead]

All guages and displays should illuminate. You have some bulbs out.

[Jess from VA]

But, when lit with OE bulbs (esp vintage ones), it's all pretty dim.

There are some tiny led replacements (a few good threads on here about it), but they may be brighter than you like (in the dark).  Or maybe not.

[gordonv]

Here is my previous IS outside.


Then my current IS inside the garage stock (I think 1 lite is burnt out).


Then with bulbs replaced with LED, I forget the colour.

[Zanderk98]

I spent this afternoon tearing apart my front fairing to get to the dashboard lights.  I probably disassembled more than needed but 'went all the way' so I could swap the headlight garnish from the one that the PO painted to a new chrome garnish that I recently purchased,  Learned a lot in the process & now understand how frustrating those press-in threaded brass inserts can be as several pulled out with there screws.  I guess I'm lucky as Valkyrieworld.com says just to epoxy those threaded brass inserts back in place since the mounts aren't broken...

Anyway, removed the sockets & installed new OE bulbs.  3 of 4 bulbs were clearly black & burned out.  After reassembling everything, I tested the display tonight after dark.  My speedo is now fully illuminated as is my tachometer so I'm very happy with that!    Strangely my center display is still totally dark, no back light.  Per the photo by Gordonv, the center display should be illuminated but I have nothing at all.  I think if I do this again, I'd go with LEDs but at least new OE bulbs make it so I can see the gages at night.

I think it's good for now.  I'll put some miles on the Valk this week & see what it needs next.  I'd love to know how to program the 6 presets on the radio.  I can't figure it out...  Tried the trial & error method several times now but I can only get 1 desired preset channel to save.  I also see there's some auto-save function tat scans for strong signals but everything it picks up like everything except the stations I want.

[Jess from VA]

There is a little manual around somewhere on all the Interstate radio/intercom/clock handlebar controls, but I have no idea if there is a copy on line (or on here).

Dag's ValkNorway site has a section with a whole list of those manuals and directions but it is down right now.  https://www.valkyrienorway.com

If you can find it, one thing that is good to do is, assuming you have front and rear speakers, you diddle the fader so the rear is just a bit louder than the front for better sound.  If you only have front speakers, roll the fader all the way to front.

I've heard JB weld works good on the fairing inserts (stick the screws in the anchors with some oil on them so the anchor threads don't get gooked up).  If you need new anchors/inserts for fairing, they are Honda part # 90316-MJ1-000.

The interstate tripmeter #1 is zeroed at every fill-up, and tripmeter #2 is zeroed as soon as you hit reserve, so you can try to find gas in 30 miles.  Once the interstate gas gauge led bar starts blinking at you (shortly before you will hit reserve), it is useless as a gas gauge.  So you are watching miles on reserve Tripmeter #2 (1.1gallon), not the stupid blinking led.   

[gordonv]

I'd love to know how to program the 6 presets on the radio.  I can't figure it out... 

I'm the one with that Doc. I scanned the 6 pages of the owners manual for the radio, and how to use it. I usually forget every year when riding starts up, something.

If anyone wants it, send me an email, and I'll forward back to you.