RVF400 NC35 Front Brake Switch

[deviot]

Hey guys,
I got a RVF400 a couple weeks back now (Yet still to take some good photos and uploaded them).
Went for my roadworthy last week and failed on two things.

Front rotors undersized, New rotors and pads on the way.
Front brake switch not turning on brake lights.

Is there a common fault with the switch? Or where should I start looking? The foot brake switch works fine.
Anyone know anywhere in AUS to order parts if I find something wrong with it?
Just after any advice you can give me, the sooner I can get it fixed the less I will be charged for another roadworthy (If you go back within 7days you don't get charged again).

Cheers
Devon

[amaechizzle]

where in aus are you?

[deviot]

where in aus are you?

Victoria, Western Suburbs.

[amorti]

Hey guys,
I got a RVF400 a couple weeks back now (Yet still to take some good photos and uploaded them).
Went for my roadworthy last week and failed on two things.

Front rotors undersized, New rotors and pads on the way.
Front brake switch not turning on brake lights.

Is there a common fault with the switch? Or where should I start looking? The foot brake switch works fine.
Anyone know anywhere in AUS to order parts if I find something wrong with it?
Just after any advice you can give me, the sooner I can get it fixed the less I will be charged for another roadworthy (If you go back within 7days you don't get charged again).

Cheers
Devon

There is a small microswitch under the master cylinder. Undo the tiny screw underneath and activate the switch in your hand to check if it is working. If yes, then you have some physical problem with the lever not activating the switch. If not, then it has two wires on female spade clips going in to it. Unplug them, and push together (or bridge with a paperclip if the covers are too big). If this switches the light on, then you have a simple failed switch. Replace it, they are cheap enough and if you have a breaker's yard nearby they are the same on lots of Hondas and also most (but not all) other Jap bikes and modern triumphs. When fitting the new switch, DO NOT overtighten, as it is easy to crack the switch body, which allows water ingress and causes the switch to fail. It's worth tightening as lightly as you can, and maybe using some thread locker. I have broken one before and am very wary these days!

If bridging the wires does not light the bulbs, then you have a bigger problem and may spend days chasing it with a multimeter.

How do you mean by rotors "undersized"? Do you mean worn too thin, or of too small a diameter? The diameter is 296mm, the minimum thickness (if I remember correctly) is 3.5mm. Don't let anyone take you for a ride, measure up for yourself as discs can be quite costly.

[aragami]

Hey mate,

A fellow Australian RVF rider here... If you're looking for parts, you're shit out of luck as no one in Aus stocks them as standard. Your best bet is to jump on www.findapart.com.au and send out a request and hope a wrecker gets back to you.

If not on there, then you'll have to order in from Asia/ Europe

[Hadies]

Ask to borrow a fellow Australians switch for your 'roadworthy' while you wait for one to come from Asia/Europe.

[amorti]

Hey mate,

A fellow Australian RVF rider here... If you're looking for parts, you're shit out of luck as no one in Aus stocks them as standard. Your best bet is to jump on http://www.findapart.com.au and send out a request and hope a wrecker gets back to you.

If not on there, then you'll have to order in from Asia/ Europe

Seriously, the switch is standard on every Honda with an axial Nissin master cylinder since the late 80's. And lots of other Jap bikes. Take the broken one to your bike shop, and buy one from that pattern. There are even cheapy pattern parts available, which will work fine and get you out of a jam.

[amaechizzle]

All else fails, I can send you mine as a loan... I'm going to greece for 3 weeks and the bike is in pieces as I'm getting stuff painted.

[deviot]

Rotors were undersized, very nasty looking. I hoped to get away with it but nope but change them over with new pads tonight. Switch was faulty, I took apart and cleaned contact and works all good now :D

Tomorrow morning I'll go past and get it signed off then to vicroads to transfer the rego.

One thing I have noticed is there a leak near the radiator cap after a decent ride? Do the caps leak a little bit normally or had my seal failed?
Silly question but do these bikes have over flow bottles if so where abouts? It sorta of looks like that over flow hose is blocked?

It looks low on coolant at the moment so I will go past and get some tomorrow what type is it?

Cheers for your help so far :D

[amaechizzle]

Shouldnt be a leak... If the radiator cap is stuffed.

Just ask for one that is the same as a 1991 2.6L Holden TF Rodeo