Need front brake help
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Stage III
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Need front brake help
I have a 2006 Ultra Classic and the front brake lever stays engaged when I drive which causes the brake light to stay on. Does anyone have that same issue and how do I fix it?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
Usually a symptom of front brake light switch having failed. It's on the handlebar. Not a tough job to change but be careful you don't break off the little tab when engaging it into the handle.
and welcome to the forum from Alberta Canada.
and welcome to the forum from Alberta Canada.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY
Bingo, broken switch. There's probably thousands of threads on this. A new switch will need to be soldered in, and as mentioned, when reinstalling the brake lever, you gotta use a shim to hold the switch in so you don't snap it off again.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 377
From: Georgia
I'm not sure what you mean when you say the lever stays engaged. Do you mean it doesn't return all the way out? It the lever goes all the way out then it's probably the switch.
But if the lever doesn't fully return out then what you have is a sticking master cylinder. This can happen over time, especially if the fluid has not been regularly flushed.
When my mc failed it would not return that last 1/4", leaving the brake light on. I could push the lever out to turn off the brake light so I knew the switch was fine. A mc rebuild and flush fixed the problem.
But if the lever doesn't fully return out then what you have is a sticking master cylinder. This can happen over time, especially if the fluid has not been regularly flushed.
When my mc failed it would not return that last 1/4", leaving the brake light on. I could push the lever out to turn off the brake light so I knew the switch was fine. A mc rebuild and flush fixed the problem.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Cheltenham, MD
Quick fix, shin the brake lever and pull it away from the brake switch. Spray WD-40 on the pin that come out from the master cylinder (cause it may be sticking) it pushes against the brake lever. My lever felt very loose. The WD-40 loosen the pin up to slide again. My brake do not stay on anymore and pin sliding out putting pressure on the brake lever, my lever is not loose anymore. Hope this helps.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,680
Likes: 602
From: South Florida
Like what was previously said,if you can push the lever forward and the light goes out,switch is OK. If that happens plan on overhauling master cyl. or replace the unit.Piston is hanging up in cyl. bore and not returning fully. All amounts of shimming,etc is not going to solve root of problem.
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Stage III
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3
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From: Florida
Thank you everyone for your responses. Based on everything. It sounds like the master cylinder needs to be rebuilt. I may try wd 40 on the pin first.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 178
From: NY
Also, make sure to shim the lever so you don't rip the boot. That will cause a switch to go bad for sure. The switch on Ebay is identical to the HD part and works great for way less $$ and so is the plunger and o rings for the Master rebuild.
Not being funny - Do you by chance have leather lever covers with fringe? A friend was having Brake light issue and found the wind drag was moving his lever just enough to cause the brake light to be on. Took them off problem solved.
Otherwise flush the fluids, first, the WD may help (never tried that), then if that doesn't solve it a MC rebuild. If you reach the rebuild stage, remove and clean your calipers while you're at it. Good brakes are more important than the engine.
Otherwise flush the fluids, first, the WD may help (never tried that), then if that doesn't solve it a MC rebuild. If you reach the rebuild stage, remove and clean your calipers while you're at it. Good brakes are more important than the engine.
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