My rear brake light stays on on my 05 sportster and I got a new switch to fix it with. The replacement one they gave me doesnt look the same as the one thats on it. Whats the easiest way to remove the factory one and is the replacement one made different?

 

You don't say if it's your front or rear switch, but I had to replace the front brake switch on my 2005 XL1200R and the replacement switch was the same as the OEM I replaced. It's a matter of cutting the wires to remove the old switch, soldering the new switch in-line, and reassembling the switch housing. The maintenance manual guides you through the process. It's a PITA because of the small space in which you have to work and all the wires in there. You must remove the switch housing on the throttle side if it's the front brake. Some folks have "fixed" their old switch with a simple screw threaded into the tip of the old switch, I opted to replace the switch assembly itself.

 

Lol. Let me clarify my post. It is the rear brake light switch im trying to replace not the front one.

 

Have you pulled the electrical plug off the Rear brake switch? if the light stays on then it not that one.

On my 2006, mine is mounted under the back of the engine near the rear wheel.

Just take if out, replace with new one and bleed the brake. It been awhile but I think I removed the rear reserve to get at it and possible the rear master cylinder, it was all easy to do.

As long as the pipe thread is the same and electrical connection, physically look of the switch shouldn't matter, they all use the brake fluid pressure.

 

As opposed to the break light on the front?
You do know that both the hand lever and the foot pedal activate the same light, right?
The foot pedal switches go bad frequently. As mentioned, it's a pressure switch. The hand lever switch is often broken when the hand lever is removed/replaced. It's a push-button switch that's pushed in while the hand lever is in its normal position. When you pull the lever, the switch is released (the button goes out), turning the brake line on. When the button gets broken, the switch doesn't get pushed in, causing the brake light to stay on. Have you done anything to the handlebars lately?
Not trying to be a dick. Just trying to narrow it down.
Here's a couple of crappy pics from different '04 and up Sportsters. The switch is circled in red. You can take a tiny screwdriver or such to push the switch in, if you haven't already determined for certain it's the foot pedal pressure switch. Let us know what you find out.