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Last night I was out in the countryside riding on roads without streetlamps and I noticed in my mirrors that using front brake wasn't making my brake light come on. At a stop light or stop sign I can squeeze the lever hard enough to make the light come on, but while moving that amount of brake is only used in highly spirited riding. I think I see what actuates the brake light, but I don't know how to adjust it. Does anybody encountered this before?
I would like to mention that I did a search on the forum and couldn't find anything on this issue. If this has been discussed could somebody please direct me to the thread?
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If you look underneath the brake leaver, at the switch, you will see the little button on it is always pushed in when not squeezing the lever. When you pull the lever, the switch button moves out and closes the switch which lights the light.
Is the lever adjusted in to much? There doesn't seem to be a movement adjustment on the switch, but you could try to loosen the screw on it and see if there is a little movement.
Or maybe there is a dead bug or crud in blocking the switch. Hey, it happens. Also while you are looking, make sure the terminal are plugged on good.
Edit to add: I guess another possibility is your fornt brakes need to be bled/flushed. Are the front brakes spongy?
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Krupator, I have had that problem and found the issue to be caused by "stuff" (dust, dirt and road grime) causing the switch actuator (small black plastic rectangular rod that works in the switch body) to bind in the switch body. This actuator is pushed in to ON by the brake lever and returned to OFF by a small internal return spring. I removed the switch in toto and washed it in a cleaning fluid while exercising the actuator. I checked the actuator for free and full movement and did not lube it so as to keep it dry to not attract and hold "stuff". There is no position adjustment on the switch itself as it sits in a post hole and has a screw fixing. In any case the brake lever adjustment is such that the brake light now comes on just before the brakes bite. That's where I like it. That was some time ago and since then no problems even though I am sure some lubricant has been applied to the switch when I have been lubing the brake lever pivot bolts etc.
There is a possibility that your switch is knackered so don't discount that.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
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We use isopropyl alcohol to clean aircraft electronics. I would suggest the same thing here. Spray the switch and then "exercise" it a few times. Repeat as often as necessary. Like I said, that works on aircraft switches clogged up with anything from Carolina bugs to Afghan sand.
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(05-30-2016, 11:31 PM)WhiskeyUSMC1979_imp Wrote: We use isopropyl alcohol to clean aircraft electronics. I would suggest the same thing here. Spray the switch and then "exercise" it a few times. Repeat as often as necessary. Like I said, that works on aircraft switches clogged up with anything from Carolina bugs to Afghan sand.
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Thanks Whiskey. That was the cleaning fluid I used. I just had one of those "senior's moments" and couldn't recall the precise fluid.
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Cheers
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Thanks guys. I'll try this after work and post my results. My brake light is something I would prefer to be in working order. The back brake light works just fine, but it still makes me a little nervous given how people pay attention when driving.
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(05-30-2016, 11:41 PM)Krupator_imp Wrote: Thanks guys. I'll try this after work and post my results. My brake light is something I would prefer to be in working order. The back brake light works just fine, but it still makes me a little nervous given how people pay attention when driving.
No worries, hope it works out. Just for info the rear brake light ON/OFF is adjustable. But you probably know that
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Good luck and cheers.
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I had the same problem. The switch isn't adjustable, but you can change the mounting enough to make the switch work by removing part of the plastic boss that fits into the holes where the switch mounts, thereby allowing the switch to work.
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(05-31-2016, 12:27 AM)mininsx_imp Wrote: I had the same problem. The switch isn't adjustable, but you can change the mounting enough to make the switch work by removing part of the plastic boss that fits into the holes where the switch mounts, thereby allowing the switch to work.
That's the first thing I did when I got my 2013 home, July 2013. I checked the bike over very carefully and saw the front brake was not actuating the brake light until well into the application of the brakes. Not good. I want that brake light to come on before the brakes actuate to alert following traffic as to what I'm up to. I also adjusted the rear brake light to come on early, in the first 1/4" of movement.
It's the way the bike was designed, you'll have to look carefully at it to get an understanding of how it works. Just please make sure you know what you're about before fooling with it, you don't want to mess it up.
Also, beware of certain low quality aftermarket levers which will keep the brake on slightly and cause the fluid to boil and lock your front brakes.
