K11 Owners Group

Don Sproule · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:50 am Post subject: Front brake light switch

My front brake light switch is starting to stick. I noticed yesterday that the brake light was on when I was idling before heading off. It's happened a few times before and I could clear the problem by flicking the lever a few times. Now it wants to stay on.
Anyone have any tips before I start taking things apart?

Don

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:17 am Post subject:

Easiest fix: Fill the switch up with WD40 - it acts as a nonconductive contact cleaner/lubricant.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Don Sproule · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:20 am Post subject:

Thanks Drake.
Do you take the assembly off the bar? Maybe loosen and swivel it up a bit? Or just go at it with the spray can from underneath?

Don

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

IIRC, it's held on by some tiny screws. Probably easiest to do a good job if you remove it - and you won't spray WD40 where you don't want it.

Is it the brake lever sticking or the switch?
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Don Sproule · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 12:37 pm Post subject: Front brake light switch

Thanks Drake.
The lever seems fine. I'm pretty sure it's the switch.
Do you mean take the whole assembly off the bar or is there a way to just remove the switch? I don't have my shop manual handy to look it up.
By the way, what does "IIRC" mean?

mnb · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

IIRC = if I recall correctly

There is one or two screws underneath that hold on a cover. You can probably lube it up without removing the switch itself.
_________________
M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

Don Sproule · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject: Front brake light switch

Great. Upside down screws above the fairing and fuel tank. I always lose them inside the fairing. There must be a pound of them in there by now.
Thanks for your advice guys.

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:03 pm Post subject:

Remove the blacl cover and then remove just the switch.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Front brake light switch

Don Sproule · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys. I'll get the old bedsheet out and lay it over the bike.

Don

chopper_harris · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:47 am Post subject:

They are socket head screws, and you will need a set of special 'Kylie M' allen keys Wink

IIRC the screw was an M3 size.
_________________
C1 200 (2001)
R100 RS (1990)
NSU Quickly N (1964)
Honda 400/4 F1 (1977)
MotoGuzzi 1000C (1978)
Suzuki TL 1000 R (1999)
Kawasaki KLV1000 (2005)
K12R Sport (2007) - Wifeys

Don Sproule · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:18 am Post subject: Front brake light switch

I pulled the plastic cover (1 phillips screw) and tried spraying the switch. Didn't work. I used a small pair of needle-nosed pliers and carefully bent the tiny,steel lever that activates the switch. Problem solved.
Thanks for all your input.

BMGraeme · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject:

The same problem can be caused by the piston in the M/C not returning fully to activate the switch. This is due to a build up of water borne deposits in the cylinder. Sure, bending the lever on the switch will give a temporary fix but if it is this problem it will only get worse and more difficult to clean up. If the brake lever had to be pushed back by hand to activate the switch this may well be the case and you would need to remove the piston and give it a good clean.
_________________
1980 CB900FA
1994 K1100RS
2008 R1200GSA

Don Sproule · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks Graeme.
I don't think that was my problem. Pushing the brake lever back had no effect.
I was expecting it to be the piston, but got away lucky this time. I hope.

tlindell · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Minneapolis, MN

Thanks to all. I bought my bike about a month and 4k miles ago. I have had a few issues - leaky fork seals, problems finding fork lock position, brake warning light. I have been able to resolve all issues with help from the forum. Thanks to all the contribute. I will try to do the same as I get the opportunity.
_________________
Tim L
1994 K1100LT
2002 HD Electra Glide Classic