Brake light delayed from rear brake pedal

[slanty]

Hi All,

While I was fitting my Givi e97 Top Box Kit I have noticed a problem with my rear brake light (well at least I think it's a problem ).

The brake light only seems to come when I press hard on the brake pedal but it comes on with the slightest touch of the front brake.

I guess the brake light should come on any time the brake pedal is pressed, not just when it pressed hard, yeah?

If so, can someone give me some advice how to adjust this?

Cheers,
Slanty

[slanty]

I found this thread which I think covers it... I'll post up how I get on...

[xr_rob]

have you just adjusted the chain?

[slanty]

Hey xr_rob,

Nah, no chain adjustment, but I found a way to sort it ... there is a little dial behind the frame bar that the brake pedal column is attached to and turning it anticlockwise increased the sensitivity of the brake light to pressure on the pedal. (I think it's page 97 in the XRV750 owners manual).

Cheers,
Slanty

[Raven]

Personally this is how I have the brake lights set up on my Transalp, out of choice. My front brake light comes on just before the brakes actually bite, so that I can give someone a flash of brakelight without actually having to brake (useful when using engine braking and someone is getting a little too close for comfort through lack of attention). And my rear brake has to be using over half the pedal movement before the light will come on, so that I can do slow speed stuff in traffic without dazzling everyone behind .

Not helping you in any way, I know , just wanted to add my two penneth worth .

[slanty]

Hey Raven_UK,

I get what you are saying and think it's a good idea, it was just that the light wasn't coming on until the brake was pressed really far down. It adjusted now so that moderate pressure on the brake causes the light to come on

It's sorted now though and I have the extra brake lights on my Givi Top Box working too It works really well and I think it looks great.

[Raven]

Hey Raven_UK,

I get what you are saying and think it's a good idea, it was just that the light wasn't coming on until the brake was pressed really far down. It adjusted now so that moderate pressure on the brake causes the light to come on

It's sorted now though and I have the extra brake lights on my Givi Top Box working now It works really well and I think it looks great.

Nice one . I've just got off of evilBay a 30L Givi top box with brake light kit (no instructions) to fit to the missus YBR when it arrives (managed to get her a blue one ), so your other post about wiring it to the bike is gonna come in handy .

[icenian]

Sounds like you got it sorted, but it could also be worth getting the switch out and soaking it in WD40. Muck in the switch can make it reluctant to work; sometimes extra pressure will overcome the problem, but cleaning the switch up is a better long term solution. (It's perfectly possible your switch is fine and was just out of adjustment before, but applying a bit of WD40 to electrical switches from time to time keeps them working better for longer).

The switch is connected to the brake pedal with a light spring which you should be able to unhook fairly easily. The electrical wiring should be long enough for you to wiggle the switch out of position, to where you can get at it. Then soak in WD40, and work the switch (gently pull/press the bit the spring attaches to) for 10-20 seconds. This should get any water/dirt out and ensure good electrical contact.

I've always done this with front and rear brake switches, clutch switch, side stand switch and handlebar switchgear (indicators, lights etc.) on all my bikes. It's fixed all the problems I've had with switches. Some of the bike have gone up to 100k on the clock and over 10 years old without any of the switches breaking. So I'm fairly sure it's good advice.

[BTW if using WD40 around the handlebars' be careful not to drip any onto brake discs!!!]