brake light, rear brakes

[dna9656]

OK, got the '88 running, took it for a ride around the 'hood.... the forks bottom out and no brake light, and although I filled and bled the rear brake master cylinder I still got NO brakes when using the rear brake pedal....any ideas?

[luvmy40]

Does the '88 still have linked brakes? If so that is probably the problem. You'll need to bleed the front caliper linked to the rear MC. On the '83 it's the left front caliper and there is a metering valve located on the steering neck. I know some of the later models had a bleeder on the metering valve but the '83 doesn't. If yuo don't have a bleeder, look for Puc's video on bleeding that sucker.

 

Also take a good look at the short hose going from the rear MC to the steel line that runs up front. Mine was seeping brake fluid the entire length.

[snyper316]

Does the '88 still have linked brakes? If so that is probably the problem. You'll need to bleed the front caliper linked to the rear MC. On the '83 it's the left front caliper and there is a metering valve located on the steering neck. I know some of the later models had a bleeder on the metering valve but the '83 doesn't. If yuo don't have a bleeder, look for Puc's video on bleeding that sucker.

 

Also take a good look at the short hose going from the rear MC to the steel line that runs up front. Mine was seeping brake fluid the entire length.

 

I love my 40 I gotta tell you when I had to replacce my metering valve I did so with an 89 so I could get that bleeder and Man I am glad I did!! So much easier, DNA I am willing to bet if you did bleed your front brakes your metering valve needs bled...

[Flyinfool]

The 88 does have linked brakes, and the 88 does have the bleeder up at the steering head to get the air out of the top of that line. IF there was air in the system when you added the fluid, then you need to bleed the front left caliper and the line the runs to it.

 

As for the brake lights, that is a whole separate issue. Does the brake light come on with the front brake?

[dna9656]

The 88 does have linked brakes, and the 88 does have the bleeder up at the steering head to get the air out of the top of that line. IF there was air in the system when you added the fluid, then you need to bleed the front left caliper and the line the runs to it.

 

As for the brake lights, that is a whole separate issue. Does the brake light come on with the front brake?

 

Sorry for the delayed response!

 

The brake light doesn't come on at all. Only the running lights and i haven't even thought about the blinkers! I figure it's a pressure activated switch.... or the wiring...

 

Doug

[Flyinfool]

Since the brake lights do not come on with either the front or rear brake, the obvious place to start is.........

 

1. Is the fuse good? Is it a glass fuse?

 

2. are the bulbs good? Does the brake light indicator in the CMU light up along with the red warning light?

[dna9656]

Since the brake lights do not come on with either the front or rear brake, the obvious place to start is.........

 

1. Is the fuse good? Is it a glass fuse? Yes and yes.

 

2. Are the bulbs good? (don't know yet, stay tuned for more soon!)

 

Does the brake light indicator in the CMU light up along with the red warning light? No.

 

Thanks as always Jeff!

[Flyinfool]

If the CMU is not lighting up to say the brake light is out, that means that there is no power getting that far.

 

Glass fuses are notorious for causing issues. Check for power in the wires on both sides of the glass fuse.

[dna9656]

If the CMU is not lighting up to say the brake light is out, that means that there is no power getting that far.

 

Glass fuses are notorious for causing issues. Check for power in the wires on both sides of the glass fuse.

Power resides on BOTH sides of the glass fuses. No indicator light on the CMU; speaking of the CMU I did replace the CMU on this (the 88) with one off the 84 because there was NO indication of life on the original CMU.

[dna9656]

I now have all the kits required to overhaul all the master and slave cylinders on the bike's brake and clutch systems. I hope to soon receive the snap ring pliers required to get the pistons out of the cylinders soon. THEN I can progress this part of the resuscitation of the 88!