Rear brake light switch

Guido · Aug 14, 2011

Is there a suitable replacement for this switch which is made better than the cheap plastic Lucas one I have?
Maybe for a different application or a bike that I can get locally?

Diablouph · Aug 14, 2011

Cheap answer, no.

Because of the way the switch is mounted, It's hard to find a better place for it, and I have not seen a better quality switch on the market. Old Brits had some that were in the brake cable. They would not sell me one because they had too many returns. Seems it was very hard to mount and adjust (or maybe they had heard how incompetent I am). Hopefully, someone on the forum has had better luck and will post. I would be interested. It would be especially nice if they had pictures and a source.

maylar · Aug 14, 2011

Some guys have replaced the switch with a standard "microswitch" available from electronics suppliers like Mouser and Digikey. There are numerous configurations of those with levers and whatnot. Requires fabricating a bracket.

The problem that most have with the stock switch is that the brake lever doesn't return far enough to turn the light off. I solved that with a stainless loop spring that's intended to prevent the lever from falling in the event of a brake cable failure. It adds enough extra lift to always push the button.

DogT · Aug 14, 2011

Yes, I have one of those micro switches, it's got a lever on it about an inch long and I keep looking at it to replace the Lucas thing the next time it fails. It certainly would not be hard to fabricate a small piece of aluminum to mount it on and thus on the plate below the brake. You can find them on Amazon for a few bucks.

Now how to fabricate one for that front brake sponge switch?

Dave
69S

geo46er · Aug 14, 2011

Hi,
This is a Honda rear brake light switch. The mount was fabricated from a piece of aluminum angle stock.

GB

batrider · Aug 14, 2011

The plastic boot on the switch takes a set after many years in the brake off position and this keeps the button from extending. I partially revived mine by massaging in some silicone grease. There are some nice rectangular sealed microswitches that could mount on the existing switchplate using an adapter plate.

See this previous thread.

pos-rear-brake-light-switch-t9182.html

DogT · Aug 14, 2011

Mount this http://www.amazon.com/RACO-6347-SWITCH- ... 317&sr=8-2 on a small rectangular plate about the size of the bracket on the brake. Mount the microswitch in the appropriate place on the plate, get a couple of slip on connectors the correct size and bingo. There are some even cheaper ones on amazon if you look around.

Dave
69S

Guido · Aug 14, 2011

I saw this quote from "comnoz" .

"I have always just done away with the rear brake light switch. The front brake is always used first anyway. jim"

\Why didn't I think of that?????
I could hook those wires up to one of the buttons on my handle bars for tailgaters, or to flash Morse code to the rest of the pack. "Pub up ahead!!!"

DogT · Aug 14, 2011

Guido said:
"I have always just done away with the rear brake light switch. The front brake is always used first anyway. jim"

Not on THE gravel or THE hill. Actually, I'm very leery of the front brake, but then I've got a TLS and it fades pretty quick, even if I've arced the shoes. Sometimes I feel like dragging my feet.

However, I still want to get that microswitch on the front sponge brake somehow without running wires all over the handle bars or the TLS levers.

Yes, automated Morse code to send signals to the group. dit-dit-dit-dah-dit-dah. dit - -dit.

Dave
69S

Rear brake light switch

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