The Brakelight switch |
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After we (CX and me) returned from SJK i've checked all the switches
and ligtbulbs, a task long overdue.
It appeared that the frontbrake brakelight switch wasn't functioning. An
explanation for the fact that the cars behind me didn't responed to the
braking with the frontbrake only. I disconnected the switch, and connected the wires directly : brakelight went on, so the problem must be the switch. I took the switch out. It is very small, less than two centimeter long, and it looks very fragile. Not something you will expect on a motorcycle. |
 You can split the casing of the switch in two parts, by pushing a clip on the upper and lowerside in. Thw switch wil fall appart. I separated the upper and lowercase with some care, you never now how it looks inside. Well, it looks old, very old. My CX is 27 years old, and obvious this switch is the same age. It is a break-contact, that is constantly pushed-in by the brakehandle, that in turn is pressed back by the hydraulic pressure of the brake-system. When operating the brake handle, a plastic trip-shaft slides forward. As a result of that motion, a brass cilinder is positioned between two contacts, thereby closing a electrical circuit, wich lights the brake-lamp. Maybe it is not the best solution. There are TWO separate contact area's, which increases the changes of failure. On the other side, it is a very ingeniues design, and it has functioned more than 25 years The year long useage has worn the plastic trip-shaft in such a way, that some plastic flakes are covering the brass cilinder. I cleaned it up, using a small, but very sharp knife. Next the contacts were cleaned, and finally the upper and lower housing were snapped together again. |
 Only one problem. Building the switch back to it's orininal position I dropped the bolt that is used to hold teh switch in place. It vanished into a storm-drain. I had to use another one, although it's not a Honda original.... Funny, how your live can depend on een small piece of plastic.... |
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