Brake light woes?

[WillC]

Hello , Newbie WillC, bought a 04 FZ1off CL, Bikes immaculate, runs like a scalded dog, everything works but the brake light, tail light is on searched the web, even called the local dealer, and his book didn't give proceedure to o remove housing and replace bulbs. I'm sure it is not brain surgery, been riding for 50 years, but before I dive in any suggestions?

 

[xtremewlr]

Pull the seat off and look back to where the tail light is. Should be a couple of rubber plugs covering the bulb sockets. Pull those out and the sockets rotate to the left to come out. Reinstall the same way but rotate right to clip them in. It's tight and a bit fiddly to get them but can be done. If you have big ham hands, then it might be easier, but a little more work, to remove the plastics and then the tail light. Bulbs are 1157, available at any autoparts store.

 

[WillC]

Brake Light

Thanks for the rely. Been under the seat, this one looks like its on a metal plate. Guess we'll just have to dive in, Thanks again!

 

[markowinnipeg]

Checked the plug at brake lever? Also do you have brake lights when you step on rear brake?
Got mine back from shop a couple of years ago and no brake lights (never use back brake). Checked things out and it was unpluged.

 

[Evitzee]

Got mine back from shop a couple of years ago and no brake lights (never use back brake).

Really? Never use rear brake? Most braking power is on the front brake but it is good practice to use both brakes, it often helps settle the bike down before entering corners. And in a panic situation you need all the stopping power in your machine, no sense throwing away braking power when needed, but if you don't have the 'muscle memory' of using the rear brake in normal operation you won't use it in panic situation. I like to practice coordinated use of front and rear brakes, just makes riding faster much easier and gives you more control over your machine.

 

[markowinnipeg]

When I say never I am referring to 90% of the time. I do use it very sparingly as needed for corning but if I have to get on the back brake chances are I am coming in too hot and want to drag it slighly to shave off some speed, on a wheelie that is going tooooo good, wet roads and for sure at low speed manovers but other than that nope. Panic stop hit them all and pray........