My 2011 Ultra has that spring and the service manual says to put a piece of cardboard or the end of a pull tie behind the brake lever to prevent damage to the switch.

 

I believe the service manual calls it a wedge.

 

In my experience and of those I know that have replaced their levers, something happens to that stupid little switch. In my case, I just clipped off an end of a zip tie and super glued it on the lever where it touches the switch. Problem solved. If the brake light stays on, cruise control will not work and after about 30 miles (in my case) the check engine light came on.

 

just fixed the wifes Sporty and it had a clip/shim that forces/holds the switch to one side so it lines up properly

 

I have a 2003 Night Train, and the other day, another biker pulled up behind me at a red light, and said my brake lights didn't seem to be working....I checked, and they work fine with the foot brake, but none at all when I use the front brake.

I haven't worked on the lever, and when I shine a flashlight into to area, it looks like everything is okay, and the lever seems to contact, and move the switch okay...

Seems like all the other posts have to do with the brake light staying ON, whereas mine won't come on at all...using the front brake lever.

Is this an indication of a failed switch?...is there a quick way to check it and see if I need to replace the switch?....don't want to disassemble anything, if I don't have to...just to avoid causing more problems, or losing some small parts, as others have warned about.

Thanks for any help anyone might offer.

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good chance you broke the little button end off the switch,,,,,,I did that and I used a really small screw to fix it,,,works good too

 

Thanks for the reply....that "button" part seems to be everyone's answer when their brake light stays ON...that's why I am curious as to being able to do a quick check of my switch, since my brake light doesn't come on at all when using the front lever....can the switch be tested by pushing it in with a small screw driver?...like I said, the lever seems to contact it, and move it in when I pull it.....

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The wifes Sportsters brake light wouldn't come on..............brake switch. I don't think you can always "see" damage to the switch. It just quits. Follow the manual to the letter (shim the brake lever with a piece of cardboard) or you will be replacing the new one

 

mine started with flickering rear brakes.........thot it was a short. Then I noticed the front brake would not activate the lites, but the foot brake did. Checked all contacts and all was good. Took into stealer and it was a missing clip. Did not have manual then, now I do