brake lights sticking on

[evertheoptimist]

Ive not been happy with my rear brakes ever since i got this bike, so recently took it to the shop and got new rear brake pads fitted. was still not happy as i felt the travel on the brake lever was too much , so I tried to adjust it using the bolt at the heel of the lever this resulted in the brake light sticking on. so i had to slacken it off again. had another go at adjusting the bolt and this time the brake lights are staying on permanently even when i slacken the bolt off. anyone got any idea what the problem is ?

[vardypeeps]

If there is a lot of travel in the brake pedal after fitting new pads you will have air in the lines somewhere. Best place to bleed is the banjo bolt at the top of the rear master cylinder. You will probley find some air trapped there which will give your brake a bit more power and feel.
After doing that readjust your pedal and the light should go out. If not take a look at the connection for the switch and adjust that.

[evertheoptimist]

ok thanks for that i'll give it a try.

[petevtwin650]

Ian, I'm wondering if it's the rear brake switch sticking or jammed due to the extra movement in the lever. See if the little plunger at the bottom of the switch is moving freely.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/org%20tech/Rearbrakeswitch.jpg

[Stu]

As Pete says, adjust the light using number 16 in the diagram I guess you are adjusting the travel another way

[evertheoptimist]

hmmm thanks for the replys those pics look handy but where are number 16,17,18 and 19 located i aint never spotted em !!

[xXBADGERXx]

Look behind the right hand Heel plate of your foot peg , you will see the long armed spring heading upwards , it`s just tucked up out of sight where the bodywork starts , almost where the crook of your right knee will be when seated on the bike . It is a certainty that this is your problem and I agree with Pete (but only the once Pete :))

[evertheoptimist]

ok thanks ill check that out .

[petevtwin650]

Hi Ian, this is a pic of a pointy 650, but I assume it's the same.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/org%20tech/Pointybrakeswitch.jpg

[petevtwin650]

I agree with Pete

Well, why wouldn't you? :smt019

[evertheoptimist]

oh right yes the bolt below the heel plate is the one ive been adjusting to no advantage

[petevtwin650]

That bolt adjust the brake lever movement, but there is a long spring to a plastic unit, circled in my pic, and the unit switches your brake light on. The spring pulls on a plunger iinto the unit and that either could be sticking or you adjust the unit itself by loosening off two plastic nuts either side of the mounting plate and moving the unit up or down.

[petevtwin650]

This is what it should look like.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i184/petevtwin650/org%20tech/Rearbrakeswitchpic.jpg

[evertheoptimist]

i'm pleased to say ive fixed it now the brake switch was ok just needed a couple of turns of number 16 which was not as easy as it sounds but hey ive saved a couple of bob from not taking to shop. Thanks guys.

[xXBADGERXx]

I did mine a while back and my Paws were scratched to heck after giving it a turn or Two

[skyline]

Sorry to bump this but what tools are people using to adjust the brake light switch?

I've been trying to adjust the nut but it's a pig to get to! Spanners are too long for the space cos they knock against the shock guard.

Offset wrench maybe?

Cheers all :D

[Stu]

just your fingers should be enough for the plastic nut. It's quite accessable on the Pointy :smt102

[evertheoptimist]

I think if you remove the heel plate its then very easy to get to and you can turn the plastic nut by hand .

[skyline]

Brill, I'll sort it next time I'm with the bike

Cheers! :D