K11 Owners Group

hirschhs · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:16 am Post subject: rear brake light

.. is sticking on occasionally. I've tried to work out whether it's the front or back but it doesn't seem to matter. Is there a master switch somewhere which could be sticking? Annoyingly, it doesn't do it when I'm parked up and could examine it properly...
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject: brake light switch

No m,aster switch to stick, most likely culprit is teh front bake lever micro switch.
First check that when it does it is your front brake lever returning all the way to the stop? If not, dissasemble that & clean the pivot & lube correctly.
If the lever is returning to the stop, you will still need to take off the lever, but then you can check the very very small micro-switch to see if it's all gummed out. Clean it up real well GENTLY & see if that fix's it. If the garage is REAL quiet, you CAN just bareley hear the switch working when you cycle it.

Mine was doing this within a couple months of buying it. The PO kinda did not do that stuff. I actually clean & lube those points now every oil change cause it bugs me when t does not work correctly.
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

hirschhs · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:50 pm Post subject:

thanks jp; I suppose squirting some WD40 or silicone lube in the general direction of the levers isn't enough, right? Confused

Unfortunately I don't have a garage so no chance of hearing anything!
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject:

How do you know if it's sticking if you can't test it while parked? Can you see your brake light while riding?
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:00 pm Post subject: WD40

YUP!!

Many have done that with great success.

Just use an old towel to catch the drips.

It's definately worth a shot if your are working outdoors.
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

hirschhs · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:03 pm Post subject:

thanks jp.
Duck: I'm riding at night and can catch the brightness of the light in the rear-view mirror, in addition I check in the reflection from cars as we slow down or in a queue - assuming I'm hanging around long enough Twisted Evil

I have the easternbeaver highlevel brakelight fitted so it's pretty bright
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject:

If you can see it at night in your mirrors then you should be able to go riding at night and determine which switch it is. (Obviously not in heavy traffic.)

Another option might be to disconnect the rear brake switch and go for a night ride. That might help you troubleshoot.

What's this high level brake light of which you speak? I don't see it on Jim Davis' site.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Saltcreek · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: WD40

hirschhs · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject:

Mama mia!
Master Cylinder schmaster cylinder..
So I've got to fiddle around rather than taking a typical 'broad brush' view!!?
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject:

Not long ago, I had a similar fault. The lever which pushes the rear microswitch was missing said switch. As simple "bend it back in place" procedure.
Can't see how lubing a switch can get debris past the Dust seal. Unless ones squirt is way inaccurate.
You don't need to hear, you may test with IGN on, engine off. mirror behind bike. Operate each lever separately. It'll be obvious which sticks.
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

Saltcreek · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:51 pm Post subject:

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:00 pm Post subject:

Once you get the black plastic cover off of the perch/master cylinder you could also undo the two little machine screws that hold the brake switch in there.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Sonu · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: rear brake light

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:57 pm Post subject: brake switch

Saltcreek

"I respectfully disagree. I was having this problem and by spraying oil in I think I drove some debris that was in there into the master cylinder. It freed up the handle but I had to rebuild the master cylinder. "

Anything is possible, just not probable that a shot of WD 40 from a spray can could ruin your seal on the brake MC. More probable it was on it's last bit O' life and all that extra pumping trying to free the switch just pushed it over the edge.
Mine went when I bled the brakes & changed the brake fluid and moved the lever past the normal range of motion. Was just enough to score the seal and it went quick.
My .02 on that plastic cover over the end of the brake lever. EVERY time I would take it off there would be some water or sludge trapped in the lower corner. I ride rain or shine, yes I also wash the bike when I can. I did not like this water trap so I drilled a hole in the lowest corner. No more water/sludge build up. This water would also penetrate the weak seal around the front ot the MC bore. Water on bare aluminum alloy, not good. The small drain hole I drilled solved any build up problem.
Hope you get it sorted out!
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

hirschhs · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 3:37 am Post subject:

thanks for your help and advice gents.
Great write up Sanjiv.. I am now almost certain it's the front lever not the rear; hope I don't have to replace but if I do..
Duck, the hi-level light is no longer for sale at eastern beaver, I got one of the last sets I think. It flashes a few times on activation and then remains on.

_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

hirschhs · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 4:04 pm Post subject:

well.. it was the front lever and I think it's resolved, at least for the present. I sprayed silicone lubricant with a fine nozzle up into the mechanism and then worked it a few times. So far, so good...
_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

Steve,

Good to hear that it is fixed for now.

Funny thing is that I had my front brake light switch go bad on me (it did not respond to spraying)- replaced it and within the month the switch on the clutch lever crapped out too! Good luck.

John
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
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hirschhs · Posted: Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:02 pm Post subject:

Well it wasn't fixed really, just waiting to strike when I least expected it. So I've changed the micro switch, spliced into the existing wiring and all is now well.
I can now hear the 'click'!!
May the 'click' be with you.
Very Happy

_________________
Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A

1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'