Brake light sensitivity on a KZ650

I have a question for you all guys with a KZ that uses the pressure sensor on the brake line to turn on the brake light.

How much pressure do you have to put on the lever for the light to turn on? Mine turns on in the last half or third of the lever total travel. Many times I'm braking lightly and the light won't come on. The back light is easier to regulate but I'm wondering if I have to replace my brake light switch and if a newer one wil switch sooner.

I've owned my KZ650-C1 since it was new. The front brake lever has always needed to be pulled in with a fair amount of pressure before the brake light comes on. Your description sounds the same as my bike. I suspect a new switch will act the same. Ed

Mine just needs a light pressure on the brake and I too have owned it since new.

I wonder if cleaning the switch and reinstalling it would make a differance?

murquiza wrote: I have a question for you all guys with a KZ that uses the pressure sensor on the brake line to turn on the brake light.

How much pressure do you have to put on the lever for the light to turn on? Mine turns on in the last half or third of the lever total travel. Many times I'm braking lightly and the light won't come on. The back light is easier to regulate but I'm wondering if I have to replace my brake light switch and if a newer one wil switch sooner.

My KZ-750 has always had the same problem. The front (hydraulic) brake light actuator switch often takes a fair amount of pressure to work. I always lay my foot on the rear to light the brake light to make sure I am showing the light.

wireman wrote: I wonder if cleaning the switch and reinstalling it would make a differance?

Made no difference on mine.

wireman wrote: I wonder if cleaning the switch and reinstalling it would make a differance?

Cleaning does not help. I overhauled the whole system and cleaned until the brake cleaner came out clear from all the parts.

Not having another one to try it I couldn't tell if it was normal or not. The rear brake trick works, but I just wanted to find out if a new part was going to be of help.

What happens to the switch is usually a result the brake fluid absorbing water over time. If the brake fluid is not changed regularly then the water in the brake fuild starts to corrode the internal componants of the switch so the sensitivity of the switch is then compromised. Cleaning it will do nothing, get a new one or a known good one and change the brake fluid every once in awhile