Rear brake light fix

[ME 109]

For some time my rear brake light has not worked properly, and more recently not at all.
As tomorrow is annual inspection day for registration purposes, I thought I'd better have a look at it.
For the last few years I've pulled a swifty when the inspector asked to see the rear brake operate the brake light.
I pulled the front brake on while operating the foot pedal!

Anyway, I couldn't work out why there was so much misalignment between the switch pin and the little bolt on the end of the brake lever.
Two reasons, firstly the bush in the lever pivot is worn, and secondly the tube welded to the frame that carries the bush and bolt was bent out of alignment because the bracket that carries said tube was bent.

So with the brake pedal, bolt and bush out of the way, I applied a precise amount of brute force to the tube and bent it back to where it should be.
All working well now.

Maybe I use the rear brake more than 30%

[DucatiPete]

Hey Jeff, thanks for the heads up re the rear brake light switch - prolly not the only place I'll be applying some "brute force" on an RS in the not too distant future!
I just got back from a ~900km ride (Benalla & back, via spur & Jamie-Eildon rd, Toolangi etc etc on the RS ) and discovered *no brake light*!, from either lever... then i checked the indicators and... the brake light and indicators light up like the blinking lights on a xmas tree... i suspect it's happened coz i jammed down on the large multi-wire connector near the seat lock to allow the tool box to site correctly thereby causing a earth fault??... another job for tomorrow.
Otherwise it was a mighty fine ride in lovely conditions (another coupl'a degrees would have been nice but no complaints). The other issues that surfaced on the ride were: spasmodic gen light glowing and battery failing to get to full charge after being hooked up to charger o'night (suspected cause = badly worn alt brushes - yes i've checked and have a couple coming); and, losing my THIRD centre stand spring! Man, what's that all about?? (see the new thread I'm about to post re this 'nuance'!)
pete
"love that bike!"

[ME 109]

The GS will be for sale next week Pete!
Alternator brushes are the same as for an EH Holden.
As for the c/stand springs, if the attachment hooks (not the spring itself) are sufficiently 'hooked', the only think I can think of is the springs are too long?

[Chuey]

Two reasons, firstly the bush in the lever pivot is worn, and secondly the tube welded to the frame that carries the bush and bolt was bent out of alignment because the bracket that carries said tube was bent.

So with the brake pedal, bolt and bush out of the way, I applied a precise amount of brute force to the tube and bent it back to where it should be.
All working well now.

I would worry that the tube would bend back out of the proper alignment again unless it was bent in an accident. In other words, if it bent during normal use. Also, are you replacing the pivot bushing?

Chuey

[Duane Ausherman]

I have seen several of those tubes get bent, and yes, it was in a crash. They are mild steel and stay where you put it.

[Garnet]

Jeff's bike in a crash!

[ME 109]

The tube will bend back out of alignment over time. It didn't take a lot of effort to bend it back to where it should be.
It will require some further repair as in bracing and the bush of course will need replacing.
No biggie, at least it can pass inspection this afternoon.
The horizontal section of the brake pedal has contacted the road before so that may help to bend it but I think heavy braking over a lot of years is more the culprit.

[Chuey]

So, you scrape that thing regularly?

Chuey

[ME 109]

Post removed by fat head.

[dougie]

Who says ya have to be off the brakes before the curve!

So if you are really hauling through right hand turns, you have "traction control" at the rear.
Airheads are modern bikes aren't they?