rear brake not turning on brake light

[grayblob]

I recently purchased an 86 xii, and have been making repairs/doing maintenance. The bike is nearly ready to ride,except that pushing down on the rear brake pedal doesn't turn on the brake light. Pulling the front brake lever does turn on the light,so I know the light works. What is the most likely cause?

[bikerking.biz]

Look at the brake light switch down by the rear brake pedal, it either needs adjusted or the spring may have come off or broke, or is somehow badly stretched. Sometimes, the switch needs disassembled and cleaned, then put back together and adjust.

[grayblob]

The switch was pretty filthy inside. The contacts were dirty,and the plunger didn't move freely. Cleaned everything up and reassembled and it works fine now.

Thanks for the tip bikerking!

[bikerking.biz]

The switch was pretty filthy inside. The contacts were dirty,and the plunger didn't move freely. Cleaned everything up and reassembled and it works fine now.

Thanks for the tip bikerking!

Your very much welcome! Glad you got it fixed.

[starrider]

Need to pull the rear brake light switch, not working and would like to clean it out and test. How did you get to the switch? Looking like the need to disconnect brake line and pull the whole assembly out.

[grayblob]

I tried to do it without unhooking the brake line. 30 minutes (and a few choice words) later, I gave in and did just what you describe. Everything was pretty simple after that.