I know, I need a service manual...and seriously regret diving into this before getting one.

Anyway, does anyone have a pic of what the insides of the right switch housing look like on an 01 Softail standard?

....i pulled this stuff apart to swap out some bars and when I loosened things, a few things shot out.... brass ferrel, brake switch spring... and I'll be damned if I can figure out how everything is supposed to go back in, properly.

Can anyone help me?

 

The ferrells go on the ends of the cables. The brake light switch just sticks in the hole. There is a metal "V" shaped shim that goes behind the brake light switch to put tension on it.

 

alright...i figured out the ferrells....simple enough ...but i'm wondering how the brake switch fastens back in with what i THINK the previous owner used as the spring ....he appeared to fashion a sort of shim

can the brake light switch spring be got at a dealership?

 

The shim is supposed to be there, not a spring.

 

good luck! you will figure it out! just remember to pull in on the front brake handle when you put the housing back on or you will snap the switch off. don't ask me how I know this.

 

+1 on this one! I had to replace the rear brake switch on my '03 Heritage, thanks to this! MAKE SURE you use a wedge to keep the brake handle partially pulled in, when installing the assembly back on the bars. I used a piece of thick cardboard, folded in half. If you don't it will rip the boot on the brake switch, that covers the plunger. Then your rear brake will no longer light up, because the plunger will keep slipping off the arm on the brake handle. So, take Wildman's & my advice... DO IT! LoL! Good luck buddy, you will get it figured out.

ps - There should be a ridge molded into the housing, that the brake switch sits in, before you insert that "V" shim.... if I recall. Hope this helps! Good luck!