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Need Help with Brake Lights!

1.8K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by  semi_gray  
#1 ·
My brake light is illumined like it should be when the brakes are applied, but the brakes are not being applied. The brake light doesn't change when the front or rear brakes are applied. Just wondering where the problem might possibly lie. Any HELP would be much appreciated.
 
#2 ·
It's most likely either the front brake or rear brake light switch. Try disconnecting the wiring to each, one at a time, until you see which one has it on. I'll bet on the rear.

Post up if you don't know where the switches are.
 
#4 ·
Stand on the right side of the bike. Shine a flashlight at the right handlebars controls. Right below the brake res. you'll see two wires. Pull one of them off and see if the brake lights go out. If so, it's your front brake switch.

Also on the right side of the bike, look in the triangle area of the footpeg. You'll see a switch with an adjusting nut on it. Wires go in the top. On the bottom of the switch is a spring that pulls the switch when the brake pedal is depressed. You can see it looking from underneath the right footpeg. That's the rear brake switch. You can try disconnecting the wires, but it's easier to loosen the adjusting nut until the switch doesn't have a downward pull tension on it (turn the nut counter-clockwise, or you guys may say anti-clockwise, looking from the top of the switch). My guess is this nut is out of adjustment.

I'd post some pics, but I've got stuff on the grill and I've got to go sample.
 
#5 ·
When I first brought my 919 home, it had two years and <5K miles on it. I looked things over really well and when I came to the foot switch for the brake light, I felt it needed attention.

I took the thing apart and greased the innards with dielectric grease (mentioned elsewhere on this forum), and set the stroke where I wanted it so the light would come on just before applying the brake, so I can "flash" if need.

That's been four years on and I haven't had to fiddle with it since.