rear brake light switch

[RobG]

The brakelight on my r100gs doesn't come on when I apply the rear brake... I found what I guess is the switch under the plastic cover near the brake pedal... does anyone know how I should proceed... will I need a new one or can it be removed and cleaned etc. WD40 hasn't worked it's usual magic

Cheers,

Rob

 

[Steptoe]

what type have you got, small plunger or rectangular block ?

smal plunger type usually bin them, rectangular can be brought back to life in a lot of cases.

 

[RobG]

Cheers Steptoe,

Not sure... it's a 1989 one. I'll have another look at the weekend. Using my manual "linked braking system" in the meantime...

Rob

 

[Howard Millichap]

Got rid of my "rectangular" type when it finally said "I've had enough (dirt)".
I replaced it with the cheap, available anywhere type by making a bracket which hangs off the battery tray mount and ran a wire down to the foot pedal to pull it. Looks a bit Heath Robinson but seems to work OK.
I had fixed the std. one several times before giving up on it.

 

[Spout]

"I had fixed the std. one several times before giving up on it"

Ditto.

After that I used to rig up a simple switch (silver paper/spring etc) to be used for that one day a year when I actually needed a rear brake switch.

 

[fritz]

WD40'd mine as per some manual guidance and never worked since. The screw holding the cover on knacked too, so another piece of sh*t to add to the great GS list of abominations. Like the idea of putting a simple one on Howard, will try that, just in case the front one gives out.

 

[RobG]

Seems like another of those things that needs improving anyway...

 

[Howard Millichap]

Seems like another of those things that needs improving anyway...

Yeah! Like the whole bike really!

 

[mikyh]

Come on guys, stop crying

How many Japanease bikes of the same age you see used as you lot use yours?
after 15-20 years it's completely normal for a plastic boxed electric switch to break down. buy another (as well easy to find compared to other brands) and it will hold for the next 20 years.

Or sell the beast.
there are many looking for one.
They are willing to pay good price for a bike in good condition, just deduct the cost of the brake switch
miky

 

[RobG]

Dont get me wrong, I love my airhead

It gets plenty of punishment through being commuted through South London for 2 hours everyday and it's served me better than any other vehicle I've ever used.

Even when it dropped a valve I could still ride home on one pot.

I know it's getting off thread a bit but...

I have been thinking (for years) of changing it for one of those new fangled oilheads (especially as Miky points out that the airhead GS's are still so much in demand) but I'd be interested to know how reliable the oilheads are in comparison since the bike is a practical tool for me, not a weekend toy and I rely on it all the time.

I'd like to keep it obviously but I also need to keep the wife.

Rob

 

[fritz]

If you do a search on oilheads I think you'll find all the usual suspects. Bevels, gearboxs, lecky, and more besides. Stick with what you know, and at least we can work on our bikes. And have to I would go for an 1100 now if I had to get another bike. Still seeking that'81 R80G/S !
Once they swapped to paralever they swapped suppliers and ended up with all sorts of sh*te like valeo. Lots of the other equipement is similar. BM really cut the corners from mid-eighties onwards to now. I wouldn't swap mine - but I am aware how much better a bike it could be, or would be if based on 70's early 80's standards. That's all there is to it really. Still makes me smile more than cry !

 

[RobG]

Fritz - I know what you're saying about poor quality suppliers - I've had my valeo starter go - but on the whole I'm happy with my '89 GS. I figure the general design was pretty well worked out by then.

Even if I won the lottery (even if I entered it ) I wouldn't be a 1200 guinea pig - especially having read some of the broken driveshaft threads.

When I can pick up an eight year old 1150 ADV with 40k or so on the clock (ie run in) I may do that... assuming the last in the line of 1150s will be the most refined.

In the meantime, I'll fix me rear brake light switch!