Woah. That's just a lil bit above my level. Playing around with 120-180 volts.. hmmm.. Don't think I have anything up to that level yet. All I got for tinkering is a 12v DC transformer and a teeny variable 1.5-12v AC-DC.. I play around with automotive and some computer electronics which almost never goes over 12v.. Really interesting though. Mayhaps that dead VCR in the corner has some use later on..
Anyway, to the VFD at hand. Today after riding and parking in the dark, I noticed that the wires are indeed getting some current. They were faintly glowing.. Which means you guys were right, the VFD isn't dead. Something else is. Now just need to figure out what.. Gonna have to dismantle it again over the weekend or when I gots some free time.. Well, at least I know the re-soldered broken trace did do *something*
p/s: the attached isn't actually my tube but it's doing the same thing