Brake light stays on

[monkeybrain]

Yesterday I was riding her and all was good... today I ride to work and the brake light stays on. Any idea what the problem could be? Other than the brake light all seemed normal.

 

[Shurv]

Can you isolate whether it is the front or rear switch causing it? If it is the rear it will be clogged up with sh*te, give it a good soaking with WD40 and activate the switch many times, this will fix it.

 

[monkeybrain]

Stupid question... where is the front/read switch? On the lever?
Sorry - only had an airhead for a week -

 

[Thunder]

Stupid question... where is the front/read switch? On the lever?
Sorry - only had an airhead for a week -

Check the rear first, look under the brake lever and you will see the switch mounted behind it's pivot. There is a plunger which operates the switch when the lever is pressed, my bets on it being mucked to the eyeballs.

 

[Steptoe]

What bike what year - there is a plethoria of different switches.

 

[monkeybrain]

Sorry - 1978 R100RS

 

[Ogmios]

Sorry - 1978 R100RS

as St. Eptoe says,
there's a lot of different switches.
on mine (R100GS '91 model) the front has a habit of sticking if not used enough

proper job is to replace i suppose, but it's a pain in the butt (read as; i'm lazy and tight fisted )
so,
i remove the lever and ease out the sticky bit (about a 1/4 inch - no more )that the lever depresses with a small needle nosed vice grips (yes - i know, i'm a butcher - it works) - apply lots of WD40 and clean it as much as possible - i use kitchen towel and Q tips. waggle it in and out GENTLY with the little vice grips until it's as clean as possible.
if it works you'll find the lever returns fully 'out'. there will be no 'slack'.
IF yours is the same as mine - that'll get it working...... for a few months at least.

 

[monkeybrain]

I love any repair that involves WD40 or duct tape... Will look into it tonight.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

My front brake light on my g/s has not worked for 5 years

Mind you neither does the brake appear to

 

[thornley]

My front brake light on my g/s has not worked for 5 years

Mind you neither does the brake appear to

Never knew they were fitted with front brake lights

 

[monkeybrain]

By the way I have the ATE brakes with braided hoses and I am really impressed with them compared to my '77 CB550 Honda single disc.

 

[fayeslane]

By the way I have the ATE brakes with braided hoses and I am really impressed with them compared to my '77 CB550 Honda single disc.

That says more about the Honda than the BM