Changed out my handgrips the other day didnt read the manual. Squeezed the front brake heard a snap brake light stayed on. Went to the dealer parts guy said you broke it new switch was $65.00 ...... I cant find the part number on HD website but he told me was pretty common to break it if you dont wedge something in between the brake lever when you put it all together. Im thinking they should charge $300.00 like everything else. Anyone know the HD Part# for that switch??? oem part # jp cycle gives 71590-96 turns up nothing.


Bought one from someone on ebay for $16 free shipping, came from jpcycles. http://www.jpcycles.com/product/362-108

 

71590-96 is the correct part number. They do break really easy.

http://www.google.com/#q=71590-96&hl...w=1366&bih=649

Not sure why you got nothing when searching for it....

 

I did the same thing on the left side to the clutch interlock switch when I changed my grips. I heard "snap..sproing". The spring from inside the switch was laying on the floor, along with the button. It was $61 at the dealer. I replaced it. I was told it was the same switch as the front brake.

 

Instead of replacing it you can turn a screw into the broken end of the switch. I think it was a #2 wood screw. It's a lot cheaper and easier too. I did it as a temporary fix until I could buy a switch. It's been like that for about 2 years. Thanks to Story808 for the idea.

 

Not sure I like that idea for a brake light switch.
It might be OK for a clutch lever, but on the brake side using a screw like that the brake light will only operate with the foot pedal.
In NY that would make the bike fail its once a year safety inspection.

 

Don't know what you mean Citori. Mine has been working great for two years. The head of the screw replaces the head of the button that snaps off when you don't shim the lever. Let me see if I can get a pic of it.

 

I should have asked if the screw actually operates the switch correctly or just jam it into position?
If its jamming the switch it might work fine on a clutch lever.
Because they only put it in there to prevent rookies from hurting themselves or others trying to start the bike without either putting the tranny in neutral or holding the clutch lever in.
But a jammed brake switch means it won't operate properly and turn the lights on when needed.
If you got it to work properly with a screw I wanna see the pics cause a LOT of guys seem to forget that stupid pin when working on the levers and it would save a lot of time, frustration, effort, even money if its that easy to fix.

 

The screw just replaces the little piece of plastic that breaks off. The switch still functions like normal. The end of the lever contacts the head of the screw instead of the plastic tip (that's broke off)

 

Exactly. The head of the button breaks off and leaves a hole. You just carefully drill the hole out a little and screw a #4 x 3/8 pan head phillips screw from Lowes or Home Depot (I incorrectly said #2 previously) in that hole and the screw head replaces the button head. I can't get the lever in a position to where I can get a picture of it. I also looked through my pictures and can't find one. I will keep looking.

 

This is a new switch. The button on the end of the plunger is the part that snaps off.



In there is the switch on mine. The silver part is the head of the screw that is screwed into the plunger taking the place of the old end. It is the same screw that I put in there a couple of years ago. My brake light works perfectly. It is way easier than replacing the switch. I ordered one off of eBay after mine broke and it is still in the box.