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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
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Message started by x1karr0usx on 03/25/12 at 13:36:15

Title: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by x1karr0usx on 03/25/12 at 13:36:15

My rear brake lever activates the break light on my tail light, but my front brake lever isn't doing squat. Sometimes if I rapidly squeeze and release the front brake, the brake light does flicker and shows some signs of life.

Anyone got any ideas? Think connections in the lever are corroded, or something in the wiring? I'd be more comfortable with a target to shoot at, instead of spraying and praying! 8-)

Title: Re: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by Serowbot on 03/25/12 at 13:44:53

Try "spraying " the connectors and contacts... with contact cleaner or WD-40..

Title: Re: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by verslagen1 on 03/25/12 at 13:50:15

remove and replace the connectors on the switch and the controls harness under the tank.

if you got an ohm meter, test the switch.

Title: Re: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by prechermike on 03/26/12 at 03:10:17

Be very very careful when you take the switch apart at the lever, my 87 has a tiny little part in there that will jump out and run away. It is the contact that slides back and forth with the lever. There are some tiny wires in there that can break as well. It takes tiny amounts of solder to get them connect correctly and not all together in one blob. Did I mention those parts are tiny, it does not help that my fingers are big. There is a thread about this somewhere. I know there are other connectors as well, but that was where my problem was. hth

Title: Re: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by SimonTuffGuy on 03/26/12 at 05:00:43

I've got a friend that rides (not a Savage), but he said "I never use the front brake WITHOUT the rear", and his plans are to remove as much excess wiring as possible.

Title: Re: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by x1karr0usx on 03/26/12 at 08:03:59

42787C7E7F45647777566468110 wrote:

I've got a friend that rides (not a Savage), but he said "I never use the front brake WITHOUT the rear", and his plans are to remove as much excess wiring as possible.

i would agree with that statement, and much of my ride time is controlled from the engine, not the brake (unless necessary). i use my prius for my long commutes everyday, so i am in the bad habit of avoiding my brakes to begin with. i would rather there not be any issues with inspection or safety though!

Title: Re: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by greenmonster on 03/26/12 at 10:38:09

I had to replace the little switch in my hand brake. It had worn down over time and no longer rocked far enough to make contact. On the plus side, it was an inexpensive part and an easy fix as long as you pay attention to where everything is as you open it up.

Title: Re: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by Savage_Rob on 03/26/12 at 14:04:32

556F6B69685273606041737F060 wrote:

I've got a friend that rides (not a Savage), but he said "I never use the front brake WITHOUT the rear", and his plans are to remove as much excess wiring as possible.

Personally, I try to add in rear brake as a practice and to maintain the habit and the feel for how much to give it. However, in most situations and especially normal dry pavement I would reverse that statement to say "I never use the rear brake WITHOUT the front" since front brake is more important. It's a personal thing with me because whenever I've gone down it was from locking the rear brake. These were emergency braking situations that necessitate pulling the seat cover out from between your cheeks afterward. I now make a point of practicing emergency braking pretty regularly.

Title: Re: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by Ben on 03/26/12 at 15:59:35

I had this same problem on my '87. I ordered the contact Part# 57465-18601. $3.40 plus shipping from motosport.com.

Take out the two screws that hold the board in. On the board will be two metal contacts spaced apart. If they are corroded, just take some sandpaper and lightly remove the corrosion. If that doesn't work then use a razor blade. Note the direction of the metal contacts. The little contact that fits up inside will be rounded on two ends with a spring. Make sure that it will slide with the rounded edges going over the board contacts. Do not force the contact back into the brake handle. That being said, it will kinda just pop up in there when you've aligned it properly and should not fall out too easily. Make sure not to smash the two wires with the cover. There is a little notch for the wires to run through.

I did this in about 5 minutes. No sweat. Also if your rear brake doesn't light up until you have the pedal pressed all the way, you can either try and adjust the nuts on the cable mounting bracket or buy a new spring. My spring was about 3" long. The new one was only 1.5".

After you get the new contact (or clean the old ones), try spraying some silicone over the bottom of the switch. This should prevent corrosion in the future.

Title: Re: Front Brake Lever Not Activating Brake Light?
Post by x1karr0usx on 03/27/12 at 08:47:59

Thanks Ben! Good write up!