brake light wont come on with hand brake

[Bret]

Any suggestions how to get my brake light to turn on when I squeeze the hand brake lever?
The light lights up when I press the rear brake pedal.

I have a 78 GS750 EC.

Thanks in advance.

Bret

[ChicagoBob]

Check the connections from the switch, inside the headlight bucket. Sometimes the bullet connectors come loose or corrode. If that's OK, check the switch, which is mounted to the front master cylinder. if the switch is bad, replace it. They are cheap.

[Steve]

When you are ready to remove the switch, either use a very large plastic bag around the grip and work inside it, or turn the master cylinder over so the switch is on top. There are little pieces that will fall, using either of these two methods will make it easier.

.

[Junglerott]

I had a problem with my 1978 gs750EC where the hand control brake light was sticking on. I took apart the hand control and inside is a small plastic piece that holds a copper piece that bridges the connection of the switch. The switch is under the hand brake control. I would start by loosening the two screws and try to slide the switch left or right. It has a little side to side play to get the connection in the perfect spot. Check out #14 on the parts chart http://www.partshark.com/fiche_secti...1977&fveh=2133

[Bret]

Much thanks to each of you!

I will dive into it this weekend!

Truely this board makes GS ownership a pleasure.

Thank you - Bret

[tkent02]

Sometimes the tiny u shaped contact and the conductive track it slides along need to be polished, then give it a good adjustment. Once you take it apart andlook inside this will all make sense.

[nutsandbolts]

Just replaced mine. $30 from Alpha Sports. Was OEM part and solved teh problem. These things are adjustable too. the little black cap on teh underside of the switch can be slid in or out from the bike to make the lever contact sooner or later in the pull.

[Dogma]

A new one will definitely work better than an old one, though periodic cleaning or adjustment may be necessary. They are also susceptible to user error: I tried to clean mine at BC, reinstalled wrong, and sheared the plastic nib off. So be more careful than me. I now have a hydraulic switch banjo bolt coming for the front (already have one for the rear). I'm curious about why you chose Alpha Sports. They have an excellent on-line parts fiche, but they also have some of the highest prices. (I paid about $20 for a new switch from what is now PartShark). Did you have a specific reason for choosing them?

[Bret]

The switch was bad. New switch and brake light works perfectly. Thanks again everyone! Bret