brake lights not working

xsivelybad · #1 05-17-2006, 04:59 PM

I am not a mechanic yet....I am going to school to become one. I am having an issue with my sporty. I've checked all the fuses and they are all good. I don't have any brake lights for some reason. My bike is equiped with the turn signal/brake converter. I took that off so that i could hook up the rear light directly. Still no light. The rear bulbs are all good. Anyone have a suggestion???

Pat · #2 05-17-2006, 05:32 PM

Does it happen only on the rear brake pedal, or just the front brake lever, or both? Have you checked the rear light activation switch - it is more likely to get dirty with road grime ans such.

xsivelybad · #3 05-17-2006, 05:37 PM

It happens with both brakes. neither one is giving me a brake light.

oldgeezer · #4 05-17-2006, 05:56 PM

Look up under the rear fender. The wiring harness could have come out of the retaining clip and the tire rubbed the wires in two.

Pat · #5 05-17-2006, 05:59 PM

I've never owned a sporty, or anything newer than this 1988 so I'll not be much real help, maybe some of the sporty owners can jump in here. However, with every electrical problem I've ever solved, either on old bikes or old pickups, the road to a solution always starts with a thorough check of evey individual component along the way - bulbs- ok? yes, next - all wires whole and insulation good? yes, next - all connections checked? tight? sealed? yes, next - all switches working right? yes, next .... you get the idea. Be patient and thorough and you will solve this - it's a promise.

A friend's dad believes that 90% of life's problems are caused by women and the other 10% by dirty battery posts. For 'dirty battery posts' read switch, wire, relay, bulb, - whatever is appropriate.

Good luck with this, don't consider it a challenge but as an opportunity to spend some time with a favorite toy.

xsivelybad · #6 05-17-2006, 07:48 PM

Ok so i checked everything with the meter and it was all fine. I removed the rear brake switch and jumped the wires to it which activated the light. A broken rear brake switch apparently. But what about the front...Is there a seperate switch for that?

Pat · #7 05-17-2006, 11:31 PM

How are you making out diagnosing/fixing the brake light problem. Did you also have a bad front brake lever brake light switch?

fxstcguy98 · #8 05-18-2006, 01:49 PM

Yes, the front brake switch is in the switch housing on the handle bars. When you pull the front brake look down on it and you will see a tiny tit on the throttle side, that's the brake switch.