Brake Light Issue

Boomstick1491 · May 28th, 2012, 03:15 PM

My brake light does not illuminate when I use the rear brake, but works fine when the front is engaged. Any ideas about what could be wrong? Or anything I can try to do to fix it?

cuz · May 28th, 2012, 03:29 PM

check the spring

Motofool · May 28th, 2012, 03:32 PM

Carlos,

The lever of the rear brake acts on a micro-switch, which is independent from the front brake system.

Either switch (front or rear) that is actuated upon first, closes the circuit to light the brake light.

Your problem may be some simple lack of adjustment of the position at which the switch closes and opens (it is adjustable).

Boomstick1491 · May 28th, 2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Carlos,

The lever of the rear brake acts on a micro-switch, which is independent from the front brake system.

Either switch (front or rear) that is actuated upon first, closes the circuit to light the brake light.

Your problem may be some simple lack of adjustment of the position at which the switch closes and opens (it is adjustable).

Ha, you called me Carlos.

Anyway, how do I check this thing's adjustment? I'm marginally retarded, so try to dumb your answer down as much as possible. Thanks.

Motofool · May 28th, 2012, 06:29 PM

I am fully retarded explaining things; here you go:

Remove the right panel, follow the foot pedal, see what it moves (brake cylinder plunge and a switch via a spring), see if the position of the switch can be adjusted via some thread or nut (my bike is older than yours, so it may be different), try to move the switch away from the pedal stretching the spring until you can hear a click (that should turn the brake light on).

Boomstick1491 · May 29th, 2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

I am fully retarded explaining things; here you go:

Remove the right panel, follow the foot pedal, see what it moves (brake cylinder plunge and a switch via a spring), see if the position of the switch can be adjusted via some thread or nut (my bike is older than yours, so it may be different), try to move the switch away from the pedal stretching the spring until you can hear a click (that should turn the brake light on).

When you say panel, do you mean the fairing or some other part? I told you I was missing a chromosome...

Motofool · May 30th, 2012, 05:51 AM

Yes, that is the fairing that covers the rear brake reservoir (the one into which you put the brake fluid and allows you to check the level).

Boomstick1491 · May 30th, 2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Yes, that is the fairing that covers the rear brake reservoir (the one into which you put the brake fluid and allows you to check the level).

My rear brake reservoir is mounted in plain sight above the rear wheel. Are you thinking pre-gen or am I mistaking something else for the reservoir?

Also, I was doing a quick pre-ride inspection this morning and really pushed HARD on the rear pedal as I was checking the brake light and the thing came on. I suspect there is some kind of setting (perhaps in this mystical spring of which you guys have spoken) that completes the circuit with more/less pressure. Plausible or what?

Motofool · May 30th, 2012, 05:56 PM

Yes, mine is a pre-gen.

Go to pages 119 and 120 of the manual of your 2008 Ninja:

http://www.kawasaki-techinfo.net/sho...5&lang_code=EN

Boomstick1491 · May 30th, 2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Yes, mine is a pre-gen.

Go to pages 119 and 120 of the manual of your 2008 Ninja:

http://www.kawasaki-techinfo.net/sho...5&lang_code=EN

Dude, I <3 you. I cannot believe how easy that is and how stupid I am for not remembering there is an adjustment "screw" referenced in the manual. I will fix this tomorrow. Thanks SO much!!!

Motofool · May 30th, 2012, 07:27 PM

Cool!

It seems different form the pre-gen.

Hope you can solve that lack of brake light,.....safety first

Boomstick1491 · June 1st, 2012, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Cool!

It seems different form the pre-gen.

Hope you can solve that lack of brake light,.....safety first

Fixed. Thanks for the help broseph!

May 28th, 2012, 03:15 PM	#1
Boomstick1491 ninjette.org member Name: Carlos Spicy Wiener Location: Your Mom's House Join Date: Mar 2012 Motorcycle(s): Too many Posts: 119	Brake Light Issue My brake light does not illuminate when I use the rear brake, but works fine when the front is engaged. Any ideas about what could be wrong? Or anything I can try to do to fix it?

May 28th, 2012, 03:29 PM	#2
cuz cuz Name: Israel Location: Houston (me) Galveston Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 09 ninja 250r Posts: A lot.	check the spring __________________________________________________ THE GOOD LIFE

May 28th, 2012, 03:32 PM	#3
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Carlos, The lever of the rear brake acts on a micro-switch, which is independent from the front brake system. Either switch (front or rear) that is actuated upon first, closes the circuit to light the brake light. Your problem may be some simple lack of adjustment of the position at which the switch closes and opens (it is adjustable). __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

May 28th, 2012, 06:29 PM	#5
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	I am fully retarded explaining things; here you go: Remove the right panel, follow the foot pedal, see what it moves (brake cylinder plunge and a switch via a spring), see if the position of the switch can be adjusted via some thread or nut (my bike is older than yours, so it may be different), try to move the switch away from the pedal stretching the spring until you can hear a click (that should turn the brake light on). __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

May 30th, 2012, 05:51 AM	#7
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Yes, that is the fairing that covers the rear brake reservoir (the one into which you put the brake fluid and allows you to check the level). __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

May 30th, 2012, 05:56 PM	#9
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Yes, mine is a pre-gen. Go to pages 119 and 120 of the manual of your 2008 Ninja: http://www.kawasaki-techinfo.net/sho...5&lang_code=EN __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

May 30th, 2012, 07:27 PM	#11
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Cool! It seems different form the pre-gen. Hope you can solve that lack of brake light,.....safety first __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

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