Brake light switch adjustment

[bbytes]

Is there a way to adjust when the brake light comes on? My 79 GS550L's brake light will only come on with the rear brake. You have to squeeze the front brake pretty hard before the brake light will come on. Much harder than what is usually used to brake.

[mike_of_bbg]

You still have a link for BassCliff's site. Because there's a little repair PDF there:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/storagecliff/images/front_brake_switch_repair.pdf

Replacement switch assemblies can be found for ~$10.

[bbytes]

The brake switch works. It only activates when the brake is pulled hard though. It really should come on when the brake is pulled lightly.

I did a similar job on the left hand controls a while ago, and it fixed a lot of the issues I was having. I guess I'll give this a try just to clean it up. I am still wondering if there is an adjustment for this switch though. I can adjust the rear brake by moving the nut on it.

[keman]

No real way to adjust. The most common reason for your issue is 30 years of neglect. Be careful when you pull it apart, that little spring can go into outer space. The reason for it not lighting is old dirt and grease inside switch contacts. Mine was doing the same thing, now it lights with a gentle pull before the brakes even engage.

[mike_of_bbg]

The screw holes in the housing are elongated, so there is some adjustment to that. THAT having been said, if you have to pull the brake that hard, the housing is probably worn down and it's time for replacement.

The clutch switch is the exact same part. If you bypass the clutch switch (lots of folks like to do that anyway), you can just use the clutch part on the brake side.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-Front-Brake-Light-Switch-/290690405189?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43ae7f9345&vxp=mtr#ht_1880wt_1159

[bbytes]

Awesome. That's what I needed to know. I already removed the clutch switch since it broke shortly after I got the bike. And without a working clutch switch, I couldn't start the bike. I ended up just soldering the two wires together and bypassing it.

Thanks for the info. I'll rip it apart during the weekend and see what I can do to fix it.

[LoopGaroo]

Right, the holes are slotted. Just loosen the screws and slide the plate a mm to the left and you should be good.

It also might help to take everything apart, polish up the contacts. Just don't loose the tiny spring inside!

[chuck hahn]

Put a baggie over the handle bars and the switch. Poke the phillips thru the baggie and take the assembly apart. Baggie will catch everything..especially that little spring. When you put it back together, add a dab of grease on the plastic post the spring slides over. Grease will hold the spring so it doesnt fall off and go bouncing away to never be seen again.

[bbytes]

Great suggestions guys. I think I have a tube of marine grease around here somewhere.

[Steve]

No real way to adjust.

Ignore that, it is VERY adjustable.

Put a baggie over the handle bars and the switch. Poke the phillips thru the baggie and take the assembly apart. Baggie will catch everything..especially that little spring. When you put it back together, add a dab of grease on the plastic post the spring slides over. Grease will hold the spring so it doesnt fall off and go bouncing away to never be seen again.

Or, ... you can simply make sure the cap on the brake reservoir is tight, loosen the clamps and turh the whole assembly over, so the switch is now on top.

.