Brake lights XS650B

[chrispyduck]

With my lights in the off position when I actuate the rear brake lever my brake light illuminates as it should. With my lights on (headlight and tail light) the stop light comes on as it should when I use the brake BUT it is so dim it hardly makes any difference to the overall illumination. I've checked the bulb and stop light filament is just not as bright as the riding light filament.
I've checked all connections.
Additionally should I have front brake light.

All help/advice appreciated.

Chris

 

[Its been a long time]

Standard wiring?

Are the wires crossed over to the rear brake light? It's possible to do that. There's three wires to the light, one is ground (black). Try swapping the other two over?

Stock bike has a front brake light switch but I don't believe it's a legal requirement on a bike that old. Generally speaking, if it's fitted, it needs to work. That would be my understanding. Don't want to give plod any excuses to look closely at the bike.

 

[chrispyduck]

Standard wiring?

Are the wires crossed over to the rear brake light? It's possible to do that. There's three wires to the light, one is ground (black). Try swapping the other two over?

Stock bike has a front brake light switch but I don't believe it's a legal requirement on a bike that old. Generally speaking, if it's fitted, it needs to work. That would be my understanding. Don't want to give plod any excuses to look closely at the bike.

Yes I believe standard wiring...I'll double check for crossed wires this morning. I can't see a front brake light switch, is it in the handlebar switch cluster?

 

[Its been a long time]

On a stock 650B it's near the bottom yoke at the brake line splitter, top and bottom hoses. Hydraulic switch.

Later bikes, a switch on the brake lever perch.

 

[chrispyduck]

Yes I believe standard wiring...I'll double check for crossed wires this morning. I can't see a front brake light switch, is it in the handlebar switch cluster?

No wires crossed...just checked !

 

[chrispyduck]

Just sorted this out. Thanks for the help.
The culprit was the bulb holder for the rear lamp...the base plate that connects with the bulb was 180 degrees the wrong way. Front brake light switch had corroded contacts.
Happier XS650 owner...just need to sort out the seat latch to bring the seat base firmly into place.

 

[DaveO]

Just sorted this out. Thanks for the help.
The culprit was the bulb holder for the rear lamp...the base plate that connects with the bulb was 180 degrees the wrong way. Front brake light switch had corroded contacts.
Happier XS650 owner...just need to sort out the seat latch to bring the seat base firmly into place.

Thanks for coming back with an update. When people take the time to do this it makes the forum much more of a historic record and resource for problem solving.

Dave

 

[chrispyduck]

Thanks for coming back with an update. When people take the time to do this it makes the forum much more of a historic record and resource for problem solving.

Dave

 

[virgis9]

if the brake light is bright with the lights off but dim with them on, it’s almost always a bad ground or voltage drop somewhere in the circuit-not the bulb.

Clean and secure the rear light earth, check connectors and switches, and you should get a proper bright brake light.

And yes-you should have a front brake switch too; both brakes are meant to trigger the stop light.

 

[Wingedwheel]

How long have you had the bike? I’m asking because if the latch bar has been changed and one from a later model special was used, those are longer than a standard.