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« on: March 15, 2013, 05:54:12 AM » |
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I was looking over my new (to me) Valkyrie with a bit more critical eye trying to find anything that I might need to address and discovered my brake light is not activated by the front brake lever. It comes on just fine with the rear brake so I'm not without a brake light (yes, I did check the rear brake for brake light function before I left the dealership - I'm smart that way  but not the front-apparently I'm not smart THAT way ). Since my legs are so long I like to stretch out when I ride for any distance so my feet are not always on the stock rider pegs but on the highway pegs instead so I probably need to get the switch fixed in the front brake lever. If anyone has had this problem I'd be interested to know how difficult a fix this might be. I don't mind taking it to the shop if there is a strong chance I'll screw something up (I'm mechanically inclined but nobody is going to mistake me for a mechanic-my diagnostic method has always been to replace stuff until the problem goes away) but if this is an easy fix I'd just as soon hang onto my money and do it myself. Thanks. |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2013, 06:19:29 AM » |
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I haven't replaced the switch, but according to this diagram, it looks like it's a matter of pulling off the connector and removing one screw (see items 1 & 25).  |
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sandy
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« Reply #2 on: March 15, 2013, 06:32:23 AM » |
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Remove the switch and you'll find a small hole in the housing. Spray some contact cleaner in there and operate the switch. You should hear a click. Test with a meter and replace. A new switch isn't usually needed.
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« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2013, 06:42:50 AM » |
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That sounds easy enough. I've got the contact cleaner already. My Honda Shadow ACE starter switch had to have a squirt awhile back. It was the one thing Honda forgot to bulletproof on that bike. I'll give it a try and see what happens. Thanks!
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JaysGone
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« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2013, 07:46:14 AM » |
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 1999 Valk - SOLD 2005 Yamaha RoadStar 2010 GoldWing with Motor Trike Kit |
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« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2013, 07:48:52 AM » |
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Thanks! I use ebay a lot for bike parts. Of course, it's usually all bling. Both my bikes are Hondas and if the Valk is like the ACE I probably won't be needing a lot of repair parts, at least not for the next hundred thousand miles or so.  |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2013, 02:18:32 PM » |
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FWIW, I keep a bottle of Shooter's Choice bore solvent and a collection of brass, bronze and tooth brushes out with my bikes. Best brake caliper, switch cleaner there is.... compressed air can help too..... and depending on what it is, a bit dielectric grease when finished.
Very likely, the switch needs cleaned up only. Sometimes, a brass lever bushing is out of round/worn and not doing it's job.
Take apart, clean, lube, put together, probably fixed.
I have also had to adjust/tweak the foot brake a small amount a couple times.
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Rio Wil
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« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2013, 02:24:21 PM » |
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When actuating the brake lever, can you hear the microswitch click....make and break?
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« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2013, 05:56:26 PM » |
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When actuating the brake lever, can you hear the microswitch click....make and break?
Earlier, when I first realized the brake light wasn't coming on, I squeezed the lever and could not hear the click. But, I rode from Little Rock down to North Louisiana a little while ago and was looking it over and I could hear it click then. But, still no brake light. I did notice though, a pretty heavy coat of lubricant (light gray grease it appeared to be) on and around the lever pivot. I've found several spots where it has been greased so I'm pretty sure the dealer did that during prep and got too much on the brake lever. I took a good look at the assembly though and it looks like there's nothing to it so whether a cleaning will take care of it or I have to replace it I'm pretty sure I can get it. Gryphon Rider, from what I can tell it is exactly as you said. I'm not home at the moment but I'll run by the hardware store in the morning and get some contact cleaner and dielectric grease and see what I can do with it. I'll let you know. Thanks for the help. |
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« Reply #9 on: March 16, 2013, 09:03:22 AM » |
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A few squirts of contact cleaner and a little grease, worked the action back and forth a few times, and the front switch works again! Thanks for the help. I wish I could fix everything that breaks for less than a buck (Well, the stuff cost more than that but I only used a little and it doesn't go bad, I'll be using that for years). |
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MacDragon
Member
Posts: 1970
My first Valk VRCC# 32095
Middleton, Mass.
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« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2013, 06:35:37 AM » |
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Good for you that you fixed it cheap. I'm sure you're just loving your Valk.  |
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 Ride fast and take chances... uh, I mean... ride safe folks. Patriot Guard Riders |
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« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2013, 10:04:00 AM » |
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MacDragon, it is a whole different ball game than the ACE, that's for sure. Now that I've gotten a good road trip under my belt and gotten a bit more familiar with the feel of it, I'm a lot more comfortable with it. Definitely loving it, that's for sure. I'll start a thread later about my first impressions following the trip, as for one I have a few questions, and I'll have more time later.
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