Brake light not working when using front brake

[Guaps]

I have a 2002 750.  The rear brake light works if I use the rear brake, but when I use the front brake, it doesn't work.  I have the coffin style master cylinders/brake lever.  Any ideas?

Thanks!

I'm sure I could find an answer to this on some other board, but I thought I'd start building a useful info base here. 

Yes I tried to search.  I even read the subject line to EVERY SINGLE post in the Tech section to make sure I wasn't revisiting something already done.  I am 100% positive this info doesn't exist on this board. (i've wanted to say that ever since I was chastised for not using the search feature for a very common question.  Now is my chance to be the first person to ask all those stupid questions I've had floating around in my head for the last couple years.) 

[He Man]

behind the brake lever there is a switch. between the switch and a lever should be a little nub, so everytime you pull the lever, it depresses the switch.

You can use anything thats similar in shape and size. I used the tip of a chop stick.

[ducpainter]

The little actuator can stick too.

If you've been playing behind the headlight the brake light switch wires can come unplugged too. AMHIK

[OT_Ducati]

The little actuator can stick too.
happened to me also, this was the problem.
lubed it, works great now.

[Howie]

Follow the wires down from the brake light switch.  Near the head tube you will come to two cheesy bullet connectors.  Disconnect the connectors and jump the two wires going to the back of the bike.  The brake light now lights?  Now you know the problem is before the connector.  Reconnect, try again.  If the brake light now works, you simply had a bad connection.  If not, don't condemn the switch yet.  The actuator others mentioned could be sticking or the switch may be out of adjustment.  The switch is held in by two 1mm. screws and nuts.   Loosen these screws and you can now adjust the switch.  Be careful not to loose any parts.

[Sgt_H]

I have the same problem.  I was just going to see about ordering a new switch, but I'm glad you asked here.  I'll try what the other posters said see if I can't get the switch working again.

[64duc]

Radio Shack keeps the switch in stock in all their stores for $1.99 plus tax.

The part number is 275-016A. SPDT Submini lever switch. EDIT: Or 275-0016 depending on which side of the packet you're looking at. Uh?


From the "other" site.

[CRASH!]

Odds are it's the little plastic cylinder that slides in the lever housing and actually depresses the switch. That hangs up in the bore. If the brake light comes on as soon as you remove the switch, that's the problem.

Remove the switch, take out the cylinder (it's easy to drop and loose!), wipe it down and lube with Silicone or something else of very low viscoscity. Re-install switch and motor away.

[Sgt_H]

Radio Shack keeps the switch in stock in all their stores for $1.99 plus tax.

The part number is 275-016A. SPDT Submini lever switch. EDIT: Or 275-0016 depending on which side of the packet you're looking at. Uh?

From the "other" site.

Thanks for the info.  I think I can swing the $2 for the part so unless I'm feeling really adventureous and want to pull the old switch apart, I'll go to Radio Shack.

[DuciD03]

Same problem when I replaced the ft break lever; a couple of things i noticed; theres 2 small screws that hold the swithch onto the break lever holder; the switch has very fine adjustment; so I found loosening one screw and rotating the switch is the easiest way to adjust it. 

Ths switch is pushed in by a bearing; the bearing fell out when I took off the lever the first time; this bearing also had alot of dirt / oil built up around so it was sticking; clean & lube, and watch you dont loose the bearing; the nub pushes the bearing out when you pull the lever and letting go of the lever pushes the bearing onto the nub pushing the nub in, turing the break light off.

 [moto]