Subject: Re: Fixin' the front brake switch

Author: Darrell J Dick

Date: Mar 31, 2005, 11:55 AM

Post ID: 1718628501

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Cable switch on this beastie had a fairly stout spring. Cutting
half a
coil off made it work, and improved feel in the process. Cable is
thicker than the slots on the arm and the lever; a real bugger to
get
back into place.

Just want stuff to work the way it was supposed to!
Darrell J Dick wrote:

Most of those switches that I have seen over the years used a

piece of

rubber for the switch "spring". Anyways, I'm not big fan of the

cable

mounted switch. Even if they do work right, The compression

required to

work them has an adverse effect on the brake operation. I think a

lot of

the bad rep of the Loopframe TLS brake is because of cable issues.

Some

of the aftermarket cables I've seen are really small diameter and

wimpy.

I'm generally happy to ride without a front brake switch as long

as the

rear switch is reliable. I always use the rear brake in tandem

with the

front when I come to stop. I have always mean't to work out a
microswitch
set-up at the lever, but it hasn't become a priority yet.

Darrell Dick
Imlay City, MI

On Thu, 31 Mar 2005 02:59:05 +0000 Chuck Sherman

<chucks-@aol.com>

writes:

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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.

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