I think I have a faulty rear brake switch.

I need help figuring out how to remove it from the brake line.

1996 1200 Sportster Custom.

(Back-story is that this is not my bike. I'm trying to help a friend get his new-to-him bike back on the road after years of sitting in a garage. [I think I just figured out why! It won't pass inspection without both brake switches working properly])

I had to disconnect the rear brake line during the bleeding of the brake and that seemed to go well. Bottom line is the bike runs and stops just fine. I just don't have a rear brake light when I use the rear brake pedal. The front brake lever does cause the brake light to burn.

 

It looks like you already bled the rear brake BUT if you haven't the rear brake light switch is a pressure switch and needs the hydraulic pressure to work. I'd also check the wiring by jumping the 2 wires on the switch to see if the brake light works. If you need to change the switch, here's the instructions for a 1998 Sporty but they should be close enough to help you.

 

What 14GuineaPig said. Here's a video on testing it, start there...




Once you determine it's the switch (likely - they fail often), it's a simple swap and under 20$ for the part. You'll likely want to bleed brakes again after to ensure no air got in.

 

It's easy to change. Take off the small rubber boot, remove switch, replace switch, bleed brakes. My switch died too, it's fairly common.

JOhn

 

This is EXACTLY what I needed. I appreciate you, DeadRubberBoy! Thanks. Thanks 14GuineaPig and John, too. You guys really helped me out

 

Sure thing! We're all learning. Welcome to the forum!

 

What I found (through testing) was that I have a bad switch AND a broken wire going to the switch.

With the help of this forum, I was able to diagnose the problem, see the solutions, and feel like a Rock Star.

The repair should not be too difficult and the bike will be back on the road again.

"Thanks" seems hardly enough

 

Glad you have it diagnosed and are on your way to a fix.

 

Glad you have it figured out & thanks for the update.