removing instrument bezel

[Nanahanman]

Anyone removed the instrument bezel on a Gen 2? How much of a PITA is it?

I get a wicked sun glare off the silver plastic and want to paint it flat black.

I put some black tape on as a test and it makes a big difference to the glare when the sun is behind me.

Can also mask off the gauges and paint in place.

 

[ionbeam]

Premium Polarized lenses that block 99% of reflected glare. Glare reduction and tuned light transmission

The next time you have the faring, windshield parts, nose, headlights and dash removed from your FJR it will be easy to access and separate the bezel for painting. It's tough to get paint to stick well to chrome like finishes.

 

[majicmaker]

Go ahead and mask everything off and paint it. I thought of buying a black one and replacing it myself for that very reason. Found out it IS a PITA to do and buying one is crazy expensive for what you're getting. Take your time. Make sure you mask everything perfectly. It's doable and worth it. Enjoy!

 

[RossKean]

Premium Polarized lenses that block 99% of reflected glare. Glare reduction and tuned light transmission

Ever try to read LCD gauges with polarized lenses? Especially through an acrylic visor.

 

[ionbeam]

Premium Polarized lenses that block 99% of reflected glare. Glare reduction and tuned light transmission

Ever try to read LCD gauges with polarized lenses? Especially through an acrylic visor.

The LED displays on every FJR I have checked are oriented to be viewed with Polarized glasses. Face shields though can be a technicolor rainbow trip. I do check many LCD displays for the polarization and some poorly planned items are blacked out. I have to laugh at a friend that bought a BIG buck depth finder for his ocean going boat, then bought BIG buck polarized sun glasses only to find out that they were 90º off, giving him a black depth finder unless he turned his head completely sideways.

 

[RossKean]

I tried them once and found the changing gauges with head movement (tilt) annoyed me too much. The rainbow effect through the visor (and windshield) didn't help much either.

 

[ahchiu]

I took mine off and painted it flat black, there is two very small Phillips head screws on the bottom back of the bezel you need to get to and it also has double sided tape around the edge attaching the bezel to the gage, once you get the screws off you can pry off the bezel, I would heat the bezel with a hair drier to soften the double sided tape before you pull it off. The two small screws are located on the bottom, one is between the speedo and tach where they meet in the crease, the other one is between the 2 rubber boot buttons on the bottom edge. If you use a inspection mirror and look under the gage you can see the 2 screws. You will need to remove the 2 panels with the headlight adjuster to get a screw driver behind it. it fairly easy, I took off the way too much stuff before I discovered how it was attached.

If you have any questions of the location I can send you text message with a picture just PM me your #

 

[HotRodZilla]

Polarized lenses in a helmet suck!! I do not get motion sick. However, on day I was riding from Albuquerque to Colorado Springs. I had polarized lenses in my Oakleys. About the time I got to Santa Fe, I had to stop. The rainbows and the weird movement in my helmet made me want to puke. By the time I got the lenses changed and drank something I was better, but I got rid of those lenses after that.

 

[rbentnail]

I still have the Service Bulletin from 2006 (in .pdf) that describes replacing the then-defective instrument cluster. If you PM me an email I'll be glad to send it to you.

 

[ahchiu]

You do not need to remove the cluster, the bezel sits on top of the gage lens cover just the 2 screws and lower panels.

 

[ionbeam]

You do not need to remove the cluster, the bezel sits on top of the gage lens cover just the 2 screws and lower panels.

OMG, score one for a Gen II

 

[Nanahanman]

Sun glasses? Gosh...never thought of THAT!

Polarised lenses cause colour patterns on the face shield that gives me flash backs

ahchiu...that's the kind of info I can use!

Thanks

 

[ionbeam]

Sun glasses? Gosh...never thought of THAT! Polarised lenses cause colour patterns on the face shield that gives me flash backs...

Guess I was a smilie or two short of showing I was jesting. Black duct tape fixes everything

 

[road runner]

I R&R mine and painted it semi flat black, but you still get glare from the lenses. I don't think it's worth doing to reduce glare, because most of it comes from the lens, but I think it looks better black.

 

[Nanahanman]

Sun glasses? Gosh...never thought of THAT! Polarised lenses cause colour patterns on the face shield that gives me flash backs...

Guess I was a smilie or two short of showing I was jesting. Black duct tape fixes everything

Ion beam...Just yankin yer chain a bit ...sorry

RR...There is still a bit of glare from the lense but the test I did with the black tape did reduce it enough to make a difference.

I'm going looking for those screws.

 

[Nanahanman]

So, a follow up.

I did manage to get the bezel off and painted but it would not have been possible without the help of ahchiu.

He provided very clear and concise directions.

It's a bit convoluted as to how they mounted that piece and even if I had found the 2 screws, who would have guessed the thing was stuck on with double sided tape!

There were many bad words used for this farkle...

Thanks

 

[Nanahanman]

Thought I would follow up on painting the instrument bezel flat black.

It is a bit of a PITA to remove but in the end, was worth the effort.

The lenses still reflect sunlight but as they are slightly curved, it's not the same glare as from the flat surfaces on the bezel.

While not eliminating reflection, it does reduce it dramatically.

Worth it for me.