A Tale of two switches

[rodent]

Hello peeps.

Two switch related things today.

First up, my rear brake light switch seems to have packed up. Not a massive shock, given the bikes age. Is this a part that I should order through the local honda dealer, or is there anywhere online to order a cheaper and/or better one?

Secondly, does anyone know if the kill-switch on the RD04 causes any problems in old age?

I only ask as I hardly ever use it, but did for the first time in months the other day. Then, just half an hour later, the bike died as I rode home.

Still seemed to have lights, electrical etc - tank was nearly full, too.

There was no splutter, no slowly dying - it just cut out totally. Lights stayed on.

Pulled over to the side of the road - tried to start it, and the starter motor spun quite happily but no hint of starting. Sidestand was up, bike in neutral, too.

Tried a few times, nothing. Opened tank (in case the breather was blocked and I had some kind of vacuum thing going on) tried a bit more - nothing.

Then I flicked the kill switch on and off a few times and tried again. Started first go.

It was pissing with rain at the time, too. I just wondered if anyone else had ever had anything interesting, and if so, what they did about it - new switch, take it apart and clean it, WD40 ...?

It's been fine since then, but it'd be nice to know it isn't going to happen again

Any ideas gratefully received. Cheers,

Rodent.

[AlanH]

Get a HEL hydraulic rear brakelight switch off eBay. They are sealed so it'll not go wrong again. Great improvement.

Kill switch - strip it down and have a look inside. Generally they're pretty reliable. If yours is knackered, I have one in my box of spares.

[Lutin]

Have found this from HEL (the one AlanH refers to) -

HEL Brake Lines - Stainless Steel Motorcycle Performance Brake Line And Brake Hose Kits

It replaces the banjo bolt on the rear master cylinder, might be cheaper than the pukka part from Honda and is a rather neat solution too.

[rodent]

Thanks guys - that sounds like a plan.

I've been half considering finally replacing the old brake lines with new ones anyway, so I could fit the switch at the same time.

And re: killswitch - thanks Alan, I'll open it up and have a look. I'll get back in touch if I think I need to replace it.

Obviously, it's all part of my plan to slowly replace my bike with parts from yours