Author Topic: Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500  (Read 1216 times)

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Offline Jakker91

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Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500
« on: March 30, 2010, 01:03:46 PM »
When I ride for more than 10 minutes at a time, my gauge clusters become all foggy. I am assuming the seals are old and letting moisture in. Any ideas?
 
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Offline westondc

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Re: Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2010, 01:12:52 PM »
i had the some issue with my gauges. right now i have them apart to apply new gauge face decals. i plan to use a silicone sealent around the rubber seal when i put them back together. I'm hoping this will eliminate the condensation issue. I'd say its just about the only option to stop it from happening.
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Offline Whaleman

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Re: Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2010, 02:08:36 PM »
This might sound really stupid but if I had mine apart again I would epoxy some of the plastic desiccant containers you get in aspirin bottles inside the gauge for exactly this problem. Dan

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2010, 02:23:01 PM »
I don't know if the 500 gauges are different, but when I took mine (750) apart for new faces, etc. a few years ago, I noticed there were three indents that seemed to be for venting, so I made sure not to seal them up. The only time I have issues is on an early season ride in March or late in November when it's still pretty cold and it fogs lightly and briefly. After some sun and a few miles it clears up.
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Offline westondc

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Re: Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2010, 02:23:38 PM »
This might sound really stupid but if I had mine apart again I would epoxy some of the plastic desiccant containers you get in aspirin bottles inside the gauge for exactly this problem. Dan

interesting idea, do those containers really work that well absorbing moisture?
B.O.X.N.I.F.E. Hospital fund https://www.everribbon.com/ribbon/view/8352
Rider no. 115 on the 2012 SOHC/4 Honda World Tour
Rider no. 274 on the 2011 SOHC/4 Honda World Tour
1972 Honda CB500k1
1971 Honda CB350k3
the project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64499.0
Trip/Project Blog http://easterntowestern.blogspot.com/
Quote
just be a vagabond, living out of a backpack on a little Honda, cruisin all over the damn place....
"As your attorney, I advise you to buy a motorcycle. How else can we cover a thing like this righteously?"

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2010, 02:29:24 PM »
This might sound really stupid but if I had mine apart again I would epoxy some of the plastic desiccant containers you get in aspirin bottles inside the gauge for exactly this problem. Dan

interesting idea, do those containers really work that well absorbing moisture?

My only concern with using something like this is unless the gauges are perfectly and permanently sealed, some moisture will gradually enter over time and it will become saturated. Unless you are willing to disassemble them to apply heat to the desiccant to drive off the moisture, they may become a source of trapped moisture rather than a solution to the problem. Just theory here, I don't know for sure.
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2010, 02:30:44 PM »
The lamps install from the rear of the dial, and were contained in the rubber molded plugs.  These plugs also keep out the humidity in the atmosphere.  At least they did when they were young and supple in early seventies.
If they are still intact today, they are now pretty hard bodied, if not cracked with age.
This would allow moisture inside them. To fog the inside of the lens.

To cure is a two step process.
Step One, is to the dry out the interior of the gauge, making it a higher temp than the outside atmosphere.  
I have an oven with pilot flame inside it, that always keeps the temp inside higher than elsewhere, and this lowers the humidity inside the guage.  It only about 20-40 degrees warmer inside there, even with the oven off.  But, that is enough to dry out the air relative to outside to the outside world.
Step Two, is to take your heated gauge and install it back on the bike, insert those instrument bulbs/holders and have it seal up the gauge so water and humidity have a hard time getting inside the gauge.

No humidity, and the inside can't fog up with condensation.

You will have to take the gauge out of the bezel mount, but you don't have to dismantle the gauge itself.

I expect there are some process variation on the scheme using a heat gun/ hair dryer to gently dry out the inner atmosphere of the gauge and drive out the moisture.  But, you will need to address those instrument plugs/seal on the back in some way.  New rubber would be ideal, if that could be found.

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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
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Offline Whaleman

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Re: Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2010, 04:40:10 PM »
TwoTired is correct. I just now realized that my condensation stopped after I removed the rubber bulb sockets and had to coat the outside with grease to get back in. After that no condensation. I never made the connection until now. Dan

Offline Jakker91

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Re: Condensation inside gauge cluster, 1973 cb500
« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2010, 07:12:02 PM »
Thanks Twotired, that was the problem with mine too!
1973 CB500 daily driver