Brake light comes on when bike is key locked

[aGUNS]

I have a bit of a weird problem with my brake light.
I have a 1981 gs 550t
Whenever I park my bike and have my handlebar key lock on my brake light come on. but when it is not key locked it does not come on. it also doesn't come on when riding unless i apply the break.

I live in st louis city, so ideally its not very wise to leave my motorcycle not key locked, and if i do leave it key locked I end up with a dead battery from the light staying on.

any ideas?

[Steve]

If you are locking your bike by turning the key all the way to the RIGHT, that is the wrong way to turn it.

That is the PARK position and it only turns on the TAIL light, not the brake light.

Turn your key all the way to the LEFT to lock the bars and have all your lights OFF.

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[cowboyup3371]

The lock leaves the tail light on by design and will run down the battery. Turn it left instead like Steve said and you'll be fine.

Welcome to the forum. Would love to see pictures.

[Nessism]

You are putting the ignition in the "park" position, which turns on the tail light.

[Steve]

Try turning the key one notch short of park and see how that works out.

"One notch short of park" should be the ON position.

Left to right, the four positions are LOCK, OFF, ON, PARK.

LOCK and PARK will lock the bars to either extreme, the key can be removed in all except the ON position.

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[Nessism]

"One notch short of park" should be the ON position.

Left to right, the four positions are LOCK, OFF, ON, PARK.

LOCK and PARK will lock the bars to either extreme, the key can be removed in all except the ON position.

.

Steve,
I realized my mistake and edited my post...but you posted this while I was working, thus immortalizing my error.

[aGUNS]

Thanks for all the help!
What a simple solve!


Now onto the countless other things I need help with haha

I appreciate all the help, folks.

I'll post picture when i'm home on my computer

[Steve]

Steve,
I realized my mistake and edited my post...but you posted this while I was working, thus immortalizing my error.

Sorry about that, I can edit mine and we can rewrite this thread.

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