Front brake not always lighting the brake lights?

[99VoyagerXII]

Took the Voyager out last night for first night ride and testing. I noticed that the front brake only sometimes causes the brake lights to work. The foot brake always works. Is there a place that I should look first before diving right in and tearing things apart, a route to follow to diagnose the problem?
I did also learn that the factory headlight does not seem to be as focused or bright as the one on my 07 Suzuki Boulevard. Is there a better bulb or upgrade? I did really like the ability to adjust the headlight, what a great feature!
As this bike is new to me, I have been reading the past posts in the forums, and had noticed several posts about poor radio performance. Mine seemed to have become very subdued and I figured that a poor connection had caused the automatic volume level to become inoperative, and that I would be fixing that too, but I was wrong......... I read way back in the posts about making sure "mutes" were not on. By accidently pushing buttons in the dark, I found out that mine had been turned ON! Sometime while trying to figure out where everything was, and what they all did, I had pushed the mute button, and while trying to adjust the volume, would sometimes hit it again and blare myself right off the bike. Got it figured out now though..
Now, I'm going to review those old posts again, but I still need some help on that front brake so that I can get this bike inspected and get to riding!

[Mr Jensee]

There is a small contact switch located under the handbrake mount. sometimes the contact points on it get coated with some corrosion. Get some electrical contact cleaner and spray the contacts and the brake light should work. Listen for the click when you pull the brake lever in to see if it is contacting. If that doesn't do it it might need replacing or follow the wires to make sure it has not become unplugged. Click the link in my signature to view the Voyager XII service manual.

[debron]

Listen for the click when you pull the brake lever in to see if it is contacting.

Listen for TWO clicks - the first is to cancel the cruise, the second is for the brake lights.

[99VoyagerXII]

Thank You MrJennsee and Ron. I have downloaded and printed the manual, but your answers made knowing what to look for much easier. Tomorrow looks like a great day to listen, check and fix the contacts or start shopping for a switch! Thanks for the tips. From years turning wrenches in powerhouse turbine/generator overhauls, I found it much better to learn as much as possible before disassembling something from the wrong end. I'd rather ask a stupid sounding question and appear stupid, than to not ask........and remove all doubt! I'll let you know what I find and what I've fixed....or broken...

[Mr Jensee]

First thing you learn coming here.... THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS!!!

[voyager55]

Yup, just stupid answers

First thing you learn coming here.... THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS!!!

[99VoyagerXII]

After posting my question and reading the answers, I found that by working the switch, it seemed to "fix" itself after just working it over and over....but that was only a short-lived fix. I tried it last evening, and could see that it only worked 'sometimes'......not good....
Today, I followed the advice given and removed the little combination brake and cruise switch on the bottom of the front brake master cylinder to clean and inspect it. My first action was to break the locating pin on top, but after a few choice words and some really good glue, I got it repaired, mounted back where it belongs and it works perfectly every time! I used Contact Cleaner & Lube from Radio Shack. I sprayed it liberally, but at first, it still only worked intermittently. I worked it in and out over and over and sprayed some canned air into it. Now, it works perfectly!
Even though it was doing the 'double-click' before, apparently dirty contacts or contamination was keeping it from working.
Thank You for your help!!!

[Mr Jensee]

'ere ya go!"