Front brake lever not operating brake light

[surfsofa]

Bought my bike 2nd hand just over a week ago after passing my test. Not a model that's going to thrill anyone here - it's a CBF500. Just noticed the front brake lever isn't activating the brake light. Rear brake activates fine, so it's not the bulb.

I think the bike's still under warranty if it's an expensive fix, but is there something simple I can check/tweak myself?

Shame I didn't spot it with the buyer, might have got another 50 quid off

[m3psm]

The switch cost about £5 and it should only take a few minutes to fit. Any bike shop will stock the switch as they're pretty much a universal fit on most bikes.

If you can get it done on warranty all the better though.

[RizzoTheRat]

I'd try giving the microswitch a dose of WD40 first to see if it frees it up.

[black-k1]

To be 100% sure it’s the switch, disconnect the wires from the switch and short them directly. If the bulb lights up then the switch is definitely the problem. If the bulb doesn’t light up then something else is not working.

[surfsofa]

Fixed it - one of the spade terminals had worked loose. Just hoping this wasn't some kind of coverup for another issue by the bloke I bought the bike off, but all seems to be working fine.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Sossige]

surfsofa said:

Fixed it - one of the spade terminals had worked loose.

At least you don't have to hang yourself upside down underneath the dashboard to get to the electrics anymore