Front brake switch question

Has anyone thought of a clever way to lengthen / alter the contacts on the in-line front brake cable switch such that it closes the circuit without having to squeeze the lever so hard your front brake locks up? I've already played with the barrels on the cables to lengthen it as much as possible without the brake engaging...



Thanks for reading.

I've been thinking about eliminating that sponge and installing a micro-switch somewhere, but I haven't done anything yet. V-102-1A4 Omron will work fine. TLS Cables are available without that switch.

Dave
69S

You can try soldering small pieces of brass shim stock to the ends of the switch contacts. That will effectively lengthen the switch contacts. Shim stock comes in various thicknesses so you can experiment to find the best combination.

The black plastic contact block should move freely within the switch housing. You can try carefully trimming or sanding the casting flash off the switch contact block to achieve this. Then lube it with a dry lubricant.

It sounds to me that your rubber compression piece may not be very pliable. There is not a whole lot you can do about that. When it compresses its diameter gets larger and it may be fitting tightly in the housing which is preventing the switch contacts from touching the brass washer. So maybe you could reduce the diameter of that rubber piece or possibly punch holes in the side of it to soften the rubber so it can compress more easily.

These are just ideas, I have never had trouble with that type of switch on my BSA motorcycles so I have never had to deal with any modifications. I guess the new reproductions are not exactly like the old, original switches.

DogT said:

I've been thinking about eliminating that sponge and installing a micro-switch somewhere, but I haven't done anything yet. V-102-1A4 Omron will work fine. TLS Cables are available without that switch.

Dave
69S

Click to expand...

If I had a Cdo with this switch, I would consider DogT's proposal. The Microswitches require minimal movement to actuate, even before the brake shoes begin to contact. it will require some additional wiring extensions that may be objectionable, depending how much of an originality purist you are.

As for me and my Atlas, I long ago binned the Lucas rear brake switch for a Microswitch. There is no switch on my front brake, but I always use both F & R for stopping. Usually, I lightly press the rear brake pedal to warn the guy behind me of a traffic condition ahead, even if I do not intend to brake, thus I see no real need for a front brake switch. It may however, be required in your jurisdiction.

Slick

Hobot clothes pin switch is a simply elegant solution

concours said:

Hobot clothes pin switch is a simply elegant solution

Click to expand...

I guess I missed that one.

Yes, wiring could be easily hidden so it doesn't looked hacked with a micro-switch. There are plenty of places on the TLS to put the switch, hand lever or on the TLS mechanism, it's mainly a problem of finding a place to mount it. If I were 20 years younger, I'd have done it by now.

DogT said:

concours said:

Hobot clothes pin switch is a simply elegant solution

Click to expand...

I guess I missed that one.

Yes, wiring could be easily hidden so it doesn't looked hacked with a micro-switch. There are plenty of places on the TLS to put the switch, hand lever or on the TLS mechanism, it's mainly a problem of finding a place to mount it. If I were 20 years younger, I'd have done it by now.

Click to expand...

I'm not going to say hillbilly. That's rich.