Sunday am Public Service Announcement. Last weekend while on a ride up to
Big Bear I lost my rear brake. Not really a big deal under normal braking
conditions, as I rarely use it. However, if I'm riding hard, and or need to
stop quick I use both. For the past couple years I've been finding a dime sized
spot under my '95 Sportster after a ride. Seeing how the bike is nearly 20yrs
old, I just assumed it was a minor leak via an oil line, or gasket, and if it
ever got worse I'd tear into it. After the brake fail I assumed the master
cylinder cartridge probably needed to be replaced (see 20yrs old above). The
first thing I did was remove the brake master cover only to discover it was
empty.
Immediately my mind went to the spot I always see under the bike,
it was DOT5 not 20/50. After a quick inspection I found that the brake switch
had failed. The top was dry, but the bottom was wet. A Google search turned up
an Auto Zone Duralast car brake switch p/n RB401 that people are using on
Harleys and supposed to be better than the factory replacement.
That, some Dot5, flushing, de-greasing, test ride and 60 min later I was done. A quick frequent inspection would have exposed the problem before I ventured out and lost braking. I know better...
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