Brake light does not always work with front brake - Ninja 250

Most likely it's the front brake light switch, at the front brake master cylinder.

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/2000-honda-valkyrie-interstate-gl1500cf-fr-brake-master-cylinder/o/m151350sch309656

Item #1

There are two.

The front switch is inside the right handlebar switch housing (START, RUN/OFF kill switch, RIGHT TURN SIGNAL) and operates off the front brake lever.
The usual problem with this is it either sticks, or the "tit" that works off the brake lever gets broken off, usually because the front master cylinder wasn\'t installed by the correct procedure.
Usual results is the brake light will not turn off with the ignition on.

The other switch is located along the rear brake hydraulic line.
Start at the master cylinder and follow the line back to the rear caliper, and you\'ll find it eventually.

It appears Harley has a problem with the rear brake light switch on this year, as it tends to spring a leak, brake pedal goes all the way down without stopping, sometimes smoking from the brake fluid being sprayed on hot engine parts, etc.

Front brake light switch.
Sometimes, the plunger gets gummed up, and won't spring back out. You might try cleaning with some electrical contact cleaner (Radio Shack)
Other times, the proper procedure wasn't followed when installing the front master cylinder, breaking off the "nub" on the switch that works off the brake lever. If so, $17 part and some soldering.
Either problem will cause the brake light not to turn off.

check switch and wiring on front brake lever...

Hi, Hank before diagnosing any brake light issue always check the bulb and fuse first for integrity a brake light staying on is usually caused by the front brake light switch, which is mechanical, not disengaging. In early models moving the throttle control housing closer to the front brake master cylinder is the main fix. On late models, the switch gets tweaked and needs to be realigned. A brake light that does not come on when the brake lever is applied can be caused by a faulty switch or no continuity in the wiring at the switch. The rear brake light switch is hydraulic and it is extremely rare to malfunction in a closed circuit condition causing the brake light to stay on. Usually, rear brake light switch issues are caused by no brake pedal free play or a sticky rear master cylinder piston. A brake light that does not come on when the rear brake pedal is depressed can be caused by a faulty switch, air contamination in the brake line, or no continuity in the wiring at the switch. Finally, most tail light wiring harnesses run under the rear fender held in place by spot-welded clips. Worn out rear shocks or lowered suspension can bottom out causing the rear tire to come in contact with the wiring harness, rubbing the insulation off, exposing the bare metal inner core, allowing it to break or short out.
For more information about your issue and valuable "FREE" downloads that you will need please click on the blue links below and for more specific information or questions at no charge please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Good luck and have a wonderful day.
https://www.harley-davidsonforums.com/threads/brake-light-not-working.364581/
http://www.mediafire.com/file/65o6mbkdq5ty8ke/99_to_05_Harley_Softail_Service_Manual.pdf/file
https://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/ronnies/showmodel.asp?make=hdmc
https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson.com/sip/service/document/6300?highlight=1998+sportster+owner
https://www.6ya.com/ to speak to me personally

There are two brake light switches on your bike. One for the front brake and it's located in the right handlebar switch housing and a pressure switch that is usually underneath the bike somewhere for the rear brake. You can find the rear brake light switch by following the metal brake line that comes out of the rear brake master cylinder until you come to a switch with some wires on it. On the older bikes, you could unplug the wires to see which switch was holding the light on. If the brake light goes off when you unplug the wires, it's this pressure switch that has the light held on. If the light stays on, it is the front brake light switch. On your bike, check for looseness in the front brake lever. If the lever and pin are worn, this will cause the lever to not depress the switch in the side of the switch housing facing the front brake lever. Your front brake switch may be broken. Odds are that the front brake switch is the one causing the problem.

Good Luck
steve

Hello, Look under the dash at the Brake pedal lever. What is happening to you is the part that senses your foot is on the Brake is out of alignment or broken. When you want to shift out of Park the switch on the Brake pedal lever sends a signal to release the Gearshift.

This part frequently gets hit by feet when you enter or exit the vehicle. Some people call this an Interlock switch. Sometimes the Brake lights will not work when this part is bad or out of alignment. Also make sure the Trigger in the Gearshift is not stuck, as the signal from the Interlock may be releasing the Gearshift, but the shifter will not move without the Trigger mechanism.

You should be on your way without a problem. I hope my solution is very helpful to you.

If the lights are working, it means the the brake pedal switch is working. The other possibility is that the electric gate at the shifter lever has become disconnected, or is malfunctioning. This gate opens (is triggered) when the brake is applied. Look for the solenoid at the base of the shift lever, and test it with a voltmeter to see if it receives voltage when the brake is applied.

front brake lever not depressing brake light button. inside throttle housing or I had a guy the other day thought brake light was stuck on (found burnt fillament brake light)

evidently it is a vibration problem and it shouldn't be! It is a 2006 I bought in April and it now has just 1100 miles on it. I have not ridden on any particularly rough roads. Check the lever switch,