Front brake switch

[Christopher]

Hello everyone. The front brake on my 1980 GS850 is not activating the brake light. I noticed the 2 screws holding the wires to the switch were missing. I put a temp screw to hold it and the brake light came on when i pulled the brake but then wouldnt turn off. Also i was cleaning the switch and i think i dropped a piece that was capping a spring. Cant find a switch diagram in my cylmers manual. Please any advice appreciated. Chris

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Now you know. Any of us that's ever taken that switch apart, now knows to put a bag around it to catch the pieces when you take out the screws. Just buy a new one. Ebay is one source. Brake and clutch lever use the same part.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/204291123882

Don't know why there are no 850 models on the fitment chart for that item. I'm pretty sure all the GS's of the era use the same one. But do your own research.
According to the fiche on partshark.com 57460-45500 is for your bike as well.

https://www.partshark.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d40173f8700230d8b4e4b8/right-handle-switch

Or, if you do find the pieces, you can use this very detailed document found on BikeCliff's Website to help you put it back together.

https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/storagecliff/images/front_brake_switch_repair.pdf

[Christopher]

Thanks Rich. I found one on wemoto so ill try that.

[Christopher]

Thanks its sorted I fitted a new switch

[Redman]

My epereince is that the brake swithc and the clutch switches - the switch itself - are the same, but one has oner different bullet connector, male verse female, so theswitches have different part numbers (or at least on my 1100GK). But one switch wil suffice for the other if deal with the one bullet connector (cut off and crimp on what is needed).

Other note: can adjust the switch some by loosing screws and moving the swtich back or forth.

Onother note: do follow what Rich said about parts going flying.

[Admiral Beez]

Thanks its sorted I fitted a new switch

I did the same thing with my GS650G. All good.

[bwringer]

I've had to carefully file the mounting holes oval in order to make a little room to adjust these damn things.

Worst switch design ever. At least it's quite simple.

[salty_monk]

Switch to an EX650 Master cylinder & use the Kawasaki microswitch is my advice...

[rphillips]

I've got no trouble with the Suzuki MC, but sure wish it had the Kawa switch.... Have fooled with, and or replaced several of them over the yrs.

[slayer61]

I just went to the banjo bolt with the integral pressure switch. Eff the factory switches.