Subject: Fixin' the front brake switch
Author: Chuck Sherman
Date: Mar 30, 2005, 6:59 PM
Post ID: 1718624268
Spent the evening futzing around with Giuseppe the Guzzi - lubed up the
cables simply to pass the time. While at it, I noticed the compression
switch on the front brake cable was inoperable...
Tore the cable apart to see what was the matter. There was an aluminum
dust cover on top of the switch; felt that was limiting the ability to
make contact. Cut it off - no closure. Checked continuity; had power
to both spades. Tried tightening the snot outta the adjustment - even
with TWO hands I could not make the contacts of the compression switch
close.
I'm not a small guy; over years of restoration I've sheared some pretty
big bolts simply thru grunt power. If I had two hands on the brake
there's a pretty good bet that the front end woulda locked up B4 the
contacts were closed.
So...I got to thinkin'...
Whipped out the dremel and cut off a 1/2 turn of the spacer spring on
the switch. this was a gut decision, mind you - if it was wrong, I'd
have to buy a new cable.
Put 'er all back together and...
Giuseppe LOVED it! brake light actuates with 1/2" of lever travel - just
like it's supposed to. I suspect the switch NEVER worked - is the true
with other bikes?
Pleased south of Pontiac,
Chuck.