brake light always on - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

sarjent · 07-11-2008, 09:27 PM

my brake light is activated constantly right now. Is there something I can look at? Thanks!

Majestik · 07-11-2008, 09:35 PM

there are 2 switches that you need to look at.
1 is on the break lever (right hand) and the other is on the rear break lever (foot), this one is attached onto the frame, right next to the break foot peg.

Disconnect one of them and see if it goes away, then the other.

the one that is shorted, might have water in it, just remove it and blow with compressed air.

If not fixed, you might need to replace the switch.
You can do it yourself if you are ok with or take to your local mechanic for a replacement

MotoJPizzle · 07-11-2008, 09:38 PM

wow majestik, that is a lot better answer than I was gonna give.

sarjent · 07-11-2008, 09:49 PM

thanks.. its dark now so I'll look in the morning.

mfifyguy · 07-11-2008, 10:23 PM

yea do as he said. also have you changed any parts out up at the controls? ex:brake lever?

sarjent · 07-11-2008, 11:04 PM

the only thing I have done was replaced the grips. Havent touched the levers though. I did add new zip ties and removed the black ones. I'll look there and see if I pinched the wire or something.

was looking through the forums for a service manual but couldnt find a good link for one. I'll see about ordering one of those too

Hotform · 07-11-2008, 11:28 PM

Majestik posted this earlier in another thread about brake pads but here is the link for the service manual.
Here is the link:
http://copronymous.com/images/M50-MANUAL.pdf

sarjent · 07-11-2008, 11:46 PM

thanks I had found another copy posted with some password too..

Diagnosis is: unplug rear brake and the hand brake will work correctly for lighting up the brake light. It seems the rear switch is damaged, which kinda sucks because the bike's only a month old. But at least it should be covered for warranty replacement.

So in the meantime I will disengage that switch and ride it up to the dealership. At least cars can see when I am hitting the hand brake then, since I use both always.

Easy Rider · 07-12-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarjent

It seems the rear switch is damaged, which kinda sucks because the bike's only a month old.

That switch is adjustable. Not unusual to need a little tweek; should always be checked after adjusting the slack in the rear brakes or adjusting the height of the pedal.

Dealer should be happy to take a minute (literally) to adjust it (and the brake) for you..............or clean it or order a replacement but I think that's unlikely.

MotoJPizzle · 07-12-2008, 10:38 AM

should the rear brake be able to stop the bike at low speeds - example, you are coming to a stoplight and you have been using both brakes, but when you are at the light should you be able to push down more on the rear brake and come to a complete stop? I know that it says the rear brake should do about 25% of the stopping but I feel like I am relying on my hand brake for all stops.

did not mean that for four stops you do one with the foot brake and three with the hand LOL!

Easy Rider · 07-12-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MotoJPizzle

but when you are at the light should you be able to push down more on the rear brake and come to a complete stop?

Yes. If you have the clutch pulled in, of course !!

The back is "softer" than the front disk but you should be able to lock it up if you REALLY try......especially on dirt on in gravel.

Folks who ask the question you just did usually find that their rear brake (and/or pedal position) needs some adjustment. For some, it's just a matter of getting used to the softer feel.

sarjent · 07-13-2008, 03:58 PM

update: messed with the switch and it works now. Had to find that sweet spot. Now..to work on my handlebars and getting out the fn washer I left on!

Thanks all!

MotoJPizzle · 07-13-2008, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Yes. If you have the clutch pulled in, of course !!

The back is "softer" than the front disk but you should be able to lock it up if you REALLY try......especially on dirt on in gravel.

Folks who ask the question you just did usually find that their rear brake (and/or pedal position) needs some adjustment. For some, it's just a matter of getting used to the softer feel.

That is right, I could put all my weight on the rear brake and it would still not lock up! I need to make some adjustments to get better braking.

07-11-2008, 09:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
sarjent In Training Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 M50 - Black and Gold Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 129	brake light always on my brake light is activated constantly right now. Is there something I can look at? Thanks!

07-11-2008, 09:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
Majestik Clunked into first gear Joined: May 2008 Bike: 06 Suzuki M50 (Black-The Faster Kind) Location: Hallandale Beach, FL Posts: 230	there are 2 switches that you need to look at. 1 is on the break lever (right hand) and the other is on the rear break lever (foot), this one is attached onto the frame, right next to the break foot peg. Disconnect one of them and see if it goes away, then the other. the one that is shorted, might have water in it, just remove it and blow with compressed air. If not fixed, you might need to replace the switch. You can do it yourself if you are ok with or take to your local mechanic for a replacement __________________ WHEN I SAID "LET'S GET SOME SUN", THIS IS WHAT I MEANT

07-11-2008, 09:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
MotoJPizzle Fender Buffer Joined: Apr 2008 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 Limited Location: Noble OK Posts: 436	wow majestik, that is a lot better answer than I was gonna give. __________________ M50 Secret Hideaway - For M50 Owners, By M50 Owners!!! Moderators ________ (Fill in Blank) 2007 M50 Limited (Gray with Tribal Flames) Vance and Hines StraightShots Cobra FI2000R (because some friends said I needed it) Irate Customs Radiator Cover. K&N Filter (SU-8005) purchase from K&N Directly Street Shield EX - from aeagles Trying to get to 10,000 views Please help by watching and getting your friends to check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxql8S47cIw Loud Pipes Save Lives!

07-12-2008, 10:38 AM	#10 (permalink)
MotoJPizzle Fender Buffer Joined: Apr 2008 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 Limited Location: Noble OK Posts: 436	should the rear brake be able to stop the bike at low speeds - example, you are coming to a stoplight and you have been using both brakes, but when you are at the light should you be able to push down more on the rear brake and come to a complete stop? I know that it says the rear brake should do about 25% of the stopping but I feel like I am relying on my hand brake for all stops. did not mean that for four stops you do one with the foot brake and three with the hand LOL! __________________ M50 Secret Hideaway - For M50 Owners, By M50 Owners!!! Moderators ________ (Fill in Blank) 2007 M50 Limited (Gray with Tribal Flames) Vance and Hines StraightShots Cobra FI2000R (because some friends said I needed it) Irate Customs Radiator Cover. K&N Filter (SU-8005) purchase from K&N Directly Street Shield EX - from aeagles Trying to get to 10,000 views Please help by watching and getting your friends to check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxql8S47cIw Loud Pipes Save Lives!

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07-11-2008, 09:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
sarjent In Training Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 M50 - Black and Gold Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 129	thanks.. its dark now so I'll look in the morning.

07-11-2008, 10:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
mfifyguy Ditch Magnet Joined: Feb 2008 Bike: Suzuki m50 Location: Stockton CA Posts: 180	yea do as he said. also have you changed any parts out up at the controls? ex:brake lever?

07-11-2008, 11:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
sarjent In Training Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 M50 - Black and Gold Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 129	the only thing I have done was replaced the grips. Havent touched the levers though. I did add new zip ties and removed the black ones. I'll look there and see if I pinched the wire or something. was looking through the forums for a service manual but couldnt find a good link for one. I'll see about ordering one of those too

07-11-2008, 11:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
Hotform In Training Joined: Nov 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki M50 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 123	Majestik posted this earlier in another thread about brake pads but here is the link for the service manual. Here is the link: http://copronymous.com/images/M50-MANUAL.pdf

07-11-2008, 11:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
sarjent In Training Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 M50 - Black and Gold Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 129	thanks I had found another copy posted with some password too.. Diagnosis is: unplug rear brake and the hand brake will work correctly for lighting up the brake light. It seems the rear switch is damaged, which kinda sucks because the bike's only a month old. But at least it should be covered for warranty replacement. So in the meantime I will disengage that switch and ride it up to the dealership. At least cars can see when I am hitting the hand brake then, since I use both always.

07-13-2008, 03:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
sarjent In Training Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 M50 - Black and Gold Location: Dyer, Indiana Posts: 129	update: messed with the switch and it works now. Had to find that sweet spot. Now..to work on my handlebars and getting out the fn washer I left on! Thanks all!

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