what is this for
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 249
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From: maryland
what is this for
i'm puting apes on my 84 flhtc when my right controls where off the button on the inside came off and vanished i'm thinking it must be the brake light switch because everything works but i cant try the brakes till i get my new lines this week its the switch on the inside that goes aginst the lever housing is there a way to find out what its for all my book tells me is its a switch
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: NC USA
Little hard to guess without seeing the missing part... there's a flat spring in there for the throttle drag/lock. That was replaced by HD some years later with a plastic block that looks like a button (sorta) The post or button for the brake light switch is made to it about the size of a pencil lead... seems like mine is white(?)
All you have to do to check that switch is turn the ignition on and if the brake light comes on, then the switch fell apart. It is a "normally closed" switch and disconnects when the lever pushes against it. (as in brake lever all the way out - disengaged)
All you have to do to check that switch is turn the ignition on and if the brake light comes on, then the switch fell apart. It is a "normally closed" switch and disconnects when the lever pushes against it. (as in brake lever all the way out - disengaged)
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 1
From: maryland
ya i kinda figured it was the stoplight switch called the stillership today to get one my brake lines should be here wen, will put it in then lost the button when i took the switch apart to re do the throttle cable but did,nt see till it was to late
thanks for all your replies
thanks for all your replies
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Forest Lake, Mn
Little hard to guess without seeing the missing part... there's a flat spring in there for the throttle drag/lock. That was replaced by HD some years later with a plastic block that looks like a button (sorta) The post or button for the brake light switch is made to it about the size of a pencil lead... seems like mine is white(?)
All you have to do to check that switch is turn the ignition on and if the brake light comes on, then the switch fell apart. It is a "normally closed" switch and disconnects when the lever pushes against it. (as in brake lever all the way out - disengaged)
All you have to do to check that switch is turn the ignition on and if the brake light comes on, then the switch fell apart. It is a "normally closed" switch and disconnects when the lever pushes against it. (as in brake lever all the way out - disengaged)
There "just happens" to be a thread on this, going, as we speak, DOH, TYPE !!!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 2,570
From: NC USA
Uhhh, that would be a "NO" (normally OPEN) switch. When you pull on the brake lever, the lever tang moves AWAY from the switch (button), allowing the spring to push the switch CLOSED, completing the circuit. If the switch comes apart, you gots NOTHING, no circuit. Jus' an FYI.
There "just happens" to be a thread on this, going, as we speak, DOH, TYPE !!!
There "just happens" to be a thread on this, going, as we speak, DOH, TYPE !!!
I will agree, when installed, it acts open due to the nature of the application but that's not how switches are designated in the automotive, commercial, electronic or industrial fields. Switches are described as no or nc by what they are doing in the relaxed position, as in, if they are electrically connected (by the leads, pins or what have you) without anything moving them. So you're right, when the brake lever moves away from the tab when the front brake is being applied, the internal spring returns the switch to its "normal" position - which is closed.
So in explaination of my "test" I was refering to what would happen if the tab had broken off the switch, which is what we're all trying to figure out that may have fallen out of the original posters right switch housing.
If that's what is was, there would be nothing there for the brake lever to move or push against to "open" the circuit and the light would stay on.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 249
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From: maryland
thanks everyone i got a new switch today and put it in new problem need to go and check all my wires one must be shorting out so now i have no low beams oh well sunday's not that far away i,ll check them then
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 249
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From: maryland
ya was thinking that but i had lights when i checked every thing then i tighten everything up and no low beams plus i hear a clicking sound figured it was the braker i,m hearing