rear brake pedal/rear light not working

[seth399]

Ok so I haven't looked into this much yet because I just picked up my bike last weekend (04 zx636). So I need mirrors and front signals for the bike to get it inspected and also noticed the rear brake does not flash when I hit the rear brake pedal. I figure they'll fail me for that so I am wondering:

a) Is there an easiest way to go about troubleshooting?
b) Is this probably due to having 1)Vortex rear sets (I assume no) or 2)undertail.

The undertail has integrated led turn signals that DO work and the rear brake does light when I use the front brake lever.

Thanks alot for any tips in advance (haven't worked on streetbikes in along time)

[Jaynnus]

Given the light works for the front brake, I would start with the plunger on the brake pedal...it can get full of dirt and not connect when the predal is pressed.

Hopefully that is the prob, if a good cleaning does not work, its about a 7 dollar part and 30 second fix.

[TTD]

yep... check the "plunger" thing.

Try operating it by hand to first see if it lights the light. If it does, then a simple adjustment to make sure the pedal pull it down far enough.

If it doesn't, then you can trace that wire back to the light... somewhere along the way you'll likely find a problem.

[seth399]

thank you both!

[LuvDog]

Since you mention vortex rearsets, i'm wondering if it even has the mounting points for the rear brake switch and if it's still there.

[jmh992003]

I know when I installed my rearsets they dont have a mounting points for the brake light pressure switch, So in order to make it work I had to splice in a new switch and replace the banjo bolt on my rear master cylinder to make it work. Might be something you want to look in to as well, you might find a wire just hanging there connectied to nothing.

[brendanp]

yup, prolly does not have the oem switch hooked up to the Vortex rearsets. A high Quality rearset like rizoma does incorporat it.
But you can get these really nice in line brake switches. They have a nice rubber boot on them too. I have used them, they are nice.
Click on the link, look toward the bottom right hand side.

Spiegler Brake Line Accessories

[jmh992003]

Thats my uneducated guess too

[seth399]

thanks for the information you guys are correct. I looked quick yesterday and was pretty sure I didn't see any spot for it on the adjustable rear sets. I will check that link, thanks again that is really helpful.

seth

[seth399]

Incase anyone else was wondering what was going on here. Everyone was right, the Vortex rear sets do not come with the switch as they are for "racing" but they do sell the pressure switch that you switch out with the old bolt and wire it up. It's only $22 which is ok so hopefully now I can get it in and not pay a shop a million dollars to do a half hour job.

[TTD]

Where in MA are you? Changing that out is simple.

But, you can probably use your stock switch with some ingenuity... I did it on my other bike. Just a piece of safety wire to the brake pedal (drill a hole in it)

I'm in Springfield, MA... you're welcome to stop by and I'll hook you up with either method... free of charge.

[seth399]

Where in MA are you? Changing that out is simple.

But, you can probably use your stock switch with some ingenuity... I did it on my other bike. Just a piece of safety wire to the brake pedal (drill a hole in it)

I'm in Springfield, MA... you're welcome to stop by and I'll hook you up with either method... free of charge.

Thanks alot for that offer. Unfortunately I bought the bike with the Vortex rear sets on it and do no have any of the stock setup. I am over in Watertown, MA but if worse comes to worse I will take a ride out and throw you a few bucks!

[LuvDog]

The stock parts that Tony is referring to should/may be connected to the parts that are still on your bike.

It could just be hanging there, but since it's not in a "fixed" position then it's not operating properly.

Personally though... replacing the switch with a banjo pressure switch it just so easy, that it's been worth it to me whenever a stock switch either fails or I go with aftermarket rearsets.

[seth399]

cool sounds good, the new bango part should be waiting for me at home as I'm away on a work trip right now.

[TTD]

Yeah, either way its an easy fix.

If you don't have any wires running from the brake light down to the footpeg area though... you'll have to deal with that.

Hopefully, the stuff has just been tucked away.