Hand brake not operating brake lights
- Kiwi2
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:07 pm
- Location: New Zealand
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL 1500/6
- Contact:
Hand brake not operating brake lights
I hope someone can help as I have seen it on the forum before but can't find it.
When I operate the front brake the tail lights do not light up, however when using the foot brake everything works as it should.
I know that there is/are up underneath the front brake lever some little rods that work the switch when the lever is pulled in.
Can someone tell me how I should go about cleaning it as I think there may be some gunk in there somewhere.
Thanks
Kiwi2
When I operate the front brake the tail lights do not light up, however when using the foot brake everything works as it should.
I know that there is/are up underneath the front brake lever some little rods that work the switch when the lever is pulled in.
Can someone tell me how I should go about cleaning it as I think there may be some gunk in there somewhere.
Thanks
Kiwi2
- wingpilot08
- Posts: 669
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- Location: Coatesville, PA
- Motorcycle: 2008 GL1800-HPNA - 83,000+ miles
1995 Bunkhouse camping trailer
Darkside #1720
bikes owned:
1975 CB550-4 final mileage unknown
1982 Yamaha 650 Maximum 30,000 miles
1987 Yamaha XVZ-1300 Venture 109,000 miles
1982 CB750-F Super Sport 60,000+ miles
1996 Honda GL1500-SE 210,000 miles
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Assuming it's a 1500 (as per your picture)..on the brake lever, there is a micro-switch that is just forward of the lever thatwhen pressed/released by the brake lever activates the lights (also I believe, controls the cruise control). You could try cleaning with a electrical solvent...you should hear a click when pulling releasint the brake lever
2008 GL1800-HPNA - Red 83,000+ miles
1995 Bunkhouse Camper
Darkside #1720
1975 CB550-4 mileage unknown
1982 Yamaha 650 Maxim 30,000 miles
1987 Yamaha XVZ-1300 Venture 109,000 miles
1982 CB750-FSS 60,000+ miles
1996 Honda GL1500-SE 210,000 miles
1995 Bunkhouse Camper
Darkside #1720
1975 CB550-4 mileage unknown
1982 Yamaha 650 Maxim 30,000 miles
1987 Yamaha XVZ-1300 Venture 109,000 miles
1982 CB750-FSS 60,000+ miles
1996 Honda GL1500-SE 210,000 miles
- thrasherg
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Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Before cleaning it, I would confirm that it is not working first, you should be able to pull the two wires of the back of the micro switch, then if you connect them together the brake light should come on (with the ignition turned on), if it does then the switch is at fault (Try cleaning it or replacing it). If connecting the two wires together does NOT make the brake lights come on, then you have a wiring fault that you need to fix (No amount of cleaning the micro switch will help!!).
Gary
Gary
- Kiwi2
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:07 pm
- Location: New Zealand
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL 1500/6
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Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Hi guys, I found that the micro switch is at fault so I have to get a new one.
Any ideas where I can pick one up in the states.
1) They will be a lot cheaper.
2) I won't have to wait months.
3) The dealers here in NZ charge like a wounded bull.
Any ideas where I can pick one up in the states.
1) They will be a lot cheaper.
2) I won't have to wait months.
3) The dealers here in NZ charge like a wounded bull.
- Dusty Boots
- Posts: 735
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- Location: Alvinston, SW ON
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
2013 Victory Cross Country Tour
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
You can get that micro-switch -- Kiwi2
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:07 pm
- Location: New Zealand
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL 1500/6
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Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Thanks Dustyboots
That's the little varmit that is causing the problems. Thanks for your help, but I managed to get one from Niehaus at a cheaper price. Mind you the cost of getting it to NZ was three times the cost of the switch.
Just the switch alone here in NZ would cost about twice the total cost ....... if you could get one off the shelf.
Once again thanks.
Kiwi
That's the little varmit that is causing the problems. Thanks for your help, but I managed to get one from Niehaus at a cheaper price. Mind you the cost of getting it to NZ was three times the cost of the switch.

Once again thanks.
Kiwi
- kwild
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2012 10:44 am
- Location: Anaheim Calif.
- Motorcycle: 84 Standard
85 Aspencade
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Kiwi2, you should be able to split the micro switch and clean the posts. Assuming the switch is similar to that on my 1200, it's really easy to do.
84 Standard
85 Aspencade
If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?
85 Aspencade
If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?
- WingAdmin
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1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
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Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
$10, and in stock to ship today: Front Brake Light Switch
- Kiwi2
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:07 pm
- Location: New Zealand
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL 1500/6
- Contact:
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Good morning kwild, I had a look at my switch and it is a little different to your's, not by much though.kwild wrote:Kiwi2, you should be able to split the micro switch and clean the posts. Assuming the switch is similar to that on my 1200, it's really easy to do.
Mine has four pins whereas yours has two.
I will wait until the replacement switch arrives before I attempt to pull it apart.
But thank you anyway.
Kiwi2
- Kiwi2
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:07 pm
- Location: New Zealand
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL 1500/6
- Contact:
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
[quote="WingAdmin"]$10, and in stock to ship today: Front Brake Light Switch
Hi WingAdmin, thanks for the offer. But I have already ordered one from Niehaus Cycle. The basic cost is not the problem, it's getting it to NZ that makes it more expensive.
But thanks anyway.
Kiwi2
Hi WingAdmin, thanks for the offer. But I have already ordered one from Niehaus Cycle. The basic cost is not the problem, it's getting it to NZ that makes it more expensive.
But thanks anyway.
Kiwi2
- liquineer
- Posts: 248
- Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:28 pm
- Location: London, England, United Kingdom
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL1500 Panther Trike
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Yes I have the same problem Kiwi2- basic cost of items not to bad, but if it comes from USA, then shipping is a killer- but if you can get them in the UK, they are usually double the price and then some.
Are we having fun yet?
- redial
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- Location: Labrador, Queensland, Australia
- Motorcycle: 1997 GL1500 Spectre Red Aspencade
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
I found one in Oz, for about AU$18 (exchange rate is currently AU$1.00=NZ$1.25 - at the million dollar rate), so next time perhaps you could try Oz and save on the shipping/postage. Let me know if I can be of assistance.
Len in Kapunda
The world is not going to finish today, as it is already tomorrow in Australia and New Zealand, and other islands of foreign nations such as Guam and Samoa.
The world is not going to finish today, as it is already tomorrow in Australia and New Zealand, and other islands of foreign nations such as Guam and Samoa.
- Kiwi2
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:07 pm
- Location: New Zealand
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL 1500/6
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Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Thanks Redial, I just hope I don't need another one. This one lasted 25 years, so in another 25 years I don't think I will be riding bikes, but playing a harp instead.redial wrote:I found one in Oz, for about AU$18 (exchange rate is currently AU$1.00=NZ$1.25 - at the million dollar rate), so next time perhaps you could try Oz and save on the shipping/postage. Let me know if I can be of assistance.
Kiwi2
- Kiwi2
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 8:07 pm
- Location: New Zealand
- Motorcycle: 1988 GL 1500/6
- Contact:
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Hi peoples, sorry for the late reply, but I have now got my switch and it is fitted to the bike and now we are all honky dory. 

- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Glad to hear it's all working again!Kiwi2 wrote:Hi peoples, sorry for the late reply, but I have now got my switch and it is fitted to the bike and now we are all honky dory.
- CoachP7
- Posts: 9
- Joined: Thu Jun 20, 2019 8:27 am
- Location: Manitoba Canada
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500 SE
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Recently noticed my bike's brake lights were not working when I applied the front brake lever.
Was fortunate that my microswitch did NOT need replacing .. at least this time. As Dusty Boots showed, I took my switch off. I took some ccliontact cleaner and sprayed inside where I could into the switch itself. After spraying, I rotated the switch in my hand (right side up then right side down) to allow the cleaner to do its thing inside the switch all the while I pushed in and out several times on the actual contact nibs (?) to help get some of the cleaner to all the right spots inside.
Then, I made sure the wire clips were well pushed in before reinstalling the switch with the one phillips screw.
Make sure, however, that when you "set" the switch in-place (ie. last bit of tightening of the phillips screw) that the contacts DO make contact with the brake lever. As mentioned above (I think), when you pull in and let out the brake lever, you should here a "click". If the switch isn't quite in the right place, the brake lever CAN miss the two contacts (brake contact nib and the cruise ctrl contact nib).
After reinstalling, I started up the bike and ta hah !! The lights were working again.
Very simple procedure for anyone to do.
Thx DB for the pix submitted above.
Good luck !
Was fortunate that my microswitch did NOT need replacing .. at least this time. As Dusty Boots showed, I took my switch off. I took some ccliontact cleaner and sprayed inside where I could into the switch itself. After spraying, I rotated the switch in my hand (right side up then right side down) to allow the cleaner to do its thing inside the switch all the while I pushed in and out several times on the actual contact nibs (?) to help get some of the cleaner to all the right spots inside.
Then, I made sure the wire clips were well pushed in before reinstalling the switch with the one phillips screw.
Make sure, however, that when you "set" the switch in-place (ie. last bit of tightening of the phillips screw) that the contacts DO make contact with the brake lever. As mentioned above (I think), when you pull in and let out the brake lever, you should here a "click". If the switch isn't quite in the right place, the brake lever CAN miss the two contacts (brake contact nib and the cruise ctrl contact nib).
After reinstalling, I started up the bike and ta hah !! The lights were working again.
Very simple procedure for anyone to do.
Thx DB for the pix submitted above.
Good luck !
Current:
1994 GL1500 SE
2008 KLR 650
2013 N1K ABS
Tip #26 Push-steering sans the backrest … when you begin push-steering (counter-steering) in a corner, “unlock” your back from your backrest to allow the bike to get into its lean angle.
1994 GL1500 SE
2008 KLR 650
2013 N1K ABS
Tip #26 Push-steering sans the backrest … when you begin push-steering (counter-steering) in a corner, “unlock” your back from your backrest to allow the bike to get into its lean angle.
- CrystalPistol
- Posts: 1421
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Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
What I had to do too.
Make Courtesy your "Code of the Road" …
… & Have a Safe Trip!
… & Have a Safe Trip!

- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: Hand brake not operating brake lights
Cyclemax keeps them in stock for $10: https://cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/front_ ... itch/60684