good afternoon,

i have a 87 Sportster 883 with a front brake issue. When i squeeze the front brake my rear brake light does not light up. It works when i i press the rear brake but nothing for the front. I pulled off the brake lever and remove the switch itself but i do not understand how it works ? There is a plunger with a spring, the spring is intact I just dont have a clue on how it works. Your help is greatly apreciated.

Thanks
Chris


Ride Safe

 

It's very common for those switches to fail. They are a simple momentary contact switch with two wires. The Harley ones are around $25 - $30. Part number 71590-92A. Usually there is enough extra length in the stock wiring to pull them out far enough to splice the new switch in.

 

Would you happen to know where this switch lives. I pulled off the brake handle and pulled out what is only a push rod, stoplight switch with no wires or anything. Could this switch live in the engine cut off and engine start housing?

Thanks for responding as well


Chris

 

It is in the cut off/start switch housing. No need to remove the brake lever. Open the clamshell (2 screws) and the little guy is sandwiched in a compartment there. The little square is where it sits. The pin of the switch (circled) pokes through the hole in the housing (also circled). When installing a new switch you have to put a small spacer (about a credit card or two thick) between the brake lever and its stop to give clearance for reassembly.

 

omg that was supper easy. Thanks for your help. New switch was ordered. Thanks agian for all your help


Chirs