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front brake lever issue **

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Old May 4, 2010 | 08:32 AM
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HilllBillly's Avatar
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Default front brake lever issue **
went on a 200 mile ride this weekend - guys behind me said my brake light was flashing on and off and staying on more than off....

The front brake lever seems soft - kinda like the spring isnt pushing the lever back to the off position 100%.....

how hard of a fix is this?
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:00 AM
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I would check my brake fluid level for starters. You will surely get more suggestions.
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:08 AM
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The master cylinder & brake lever perch isn't tight enough to the switch box. Loosen the two screws & push it in a little. Nothin' to it!
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:11 AM
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+1 Jinks nailed it. Loosen the screws and make sure they fit together as one unit and tighten 'em up.
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:33 AM
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Had this happen on a Road King a few years ago. In my case the piston in the master cylinder was binding a little. A rebuild kit and a cylinder hone fixed it. Wasn't sure how much it could be honed (or if it should have been honed at all) but it worked well and didn't leak when done.

Not to hijack the thread but does anyone know if it's considered safe to hone these master cylinders?
 
Last edited by Rain; May 4, 2010 at 09:37 AM.
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Old May 4, 2010 | 09:35 AM
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If it is not the switch and the lever is soft they may need to be bled.
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 10:37 AM
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You don't have the braided fringe lever covers on ?? In high wind they can drag on the brake lever.
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 10:47 AM
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Just had this happen on my 2007 RK. The fix was a master cylinder rebuild kit - once installed problem went away. I had tried all the recommended adjustments and tweaks but nothing worked until the rebuild kit was installed.
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 12:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Leftcoaster
+1 Jinks nailed it. Loosen the screws and make sure they fit together as one unit and tighten 'em up.
I had the same thing after I changed my bars. Housing and lever just need to sit closer so the brake lever would depress the plunger on the front brake switch. I couldn't keep the cruise on either because every bump made the brake light come on. I looked and the plunger on the front brake switch doesn't take much and the light comes on. Shhhhh.....I put a small piece of 3m tape on the lever where it hits the plunger. Now it pushes the plunger in and holds it there. Probably not the most technical solution but I have never had any issues since and no one knows............until now
 
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Old May 4, 2010 | 10:50 PM
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Sounds stupid, but check the pivot pin for binding, preventing the lever to fully return. Happened to me. I removed the pin, cleaned it and lubricated it, problem solved.
 
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