Monoshock Rear Brake Light Switch R&R

[88bmwjeff]

First of all, my bike is a 1988 R100 RT.

The rear brake light switch is bad. Can the switch be replaced without removing the swing arm? It looks very tight with the swing arm in place. I'm wondering if I can remove the wheel and shock and if letting the swing arm pivot down will give me sufficient room. If the swing arm has to be removed, I just may wait until I have to grease the splines again. I really don't use the rear brake without the front brake and the front brake light switch is working.

FYI, I unplugged the old switch and plugged in its replacement, and the new switch activates the brake lights as it should. So, I'm 100% sure the brake light switch is bad.

 

[88bmwjeff]

Well, I can confirm that there is insufficient access to remove and replace the rear brake light switch with just removing the rear wheel and dropping the swing are as far down as possible after removing the shock. It appears that either the swing arm needs to be removed or the rear black plastic fender removed. Either way, it's a lot of effort, which I was not willing to do today. Looks like I'll end up replacing it next time I need to grease the splines, since I'll have the swing arm removed. Bummer.

 

[olironrider]

Oh Jeff, seems that as airheads progressed from the ‘70s to the ‘80s into the ‘90s, “Keeping It Simple” was lost !

I just went out the garage, hugged & kissed my ‘71 R 75/5 and ‘73 R 60/5

Don

 

[stevenrankin]

I have come across many examples of weird or frustrating parts put into awkward places. Sadly for every brilliant design engineer that brings us new features on our bikes, there is one or two engineers who are tasked with how to put things together fast and cheap on the assembly line. I never had the privilege of seeing a 80's bike assembled but, I bet that brake light switch went into place very easy and fast. LOL.
I always have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that it takes maybe 20 minutes from one end of the assembly line to the other for a complete bike. Yet, it takes two hours to get to a simple part for a repair. At least in this case you are not hampered with "Previous Owner's Disease", like the other fellow with brake light switch issues. I feel your pain. St.

 

[RANBUSH]

I have come across many examples of weird or frustrating parts put into awkward places.

Steve & Jeff - I swear that the BMW motorcycle design engineers NEVER had to actually work on a completed bike and replace a part that they had neatly tucked away to integrate with the "styling" at the time.

I will also swear that BMW motorcycle designers NEVER had to ride a BMW bike for 6-8 hours and realize how painful their OEM seats are.

 

[rhbike]

Steve & Jeff - I swear that the BMW motorcycle design engineers NEVER had to actually work on a completed bike and replace a part that they had neatly tucked away to integrate with the "styling" at the time.

I will also swear that BMW motorcycle designers NEVER had to ride a BMW bike for 6-8 hours and realize how painful their OEM seats are.

Hmm. 6-8hrs for current generation BMW seats... I might suggest less than 1hr for at least some or many of their newer models. We were squirming uncomfortably within an hour on the stock K1600 seat within an hour and half needed to get off and rest our backsides. I did a couple 9-10hr days, and it was torture. An aftermarket seat cured that problem.

 

[RANBUSH]

An aftermarket seat cured that problem.

Agreed.

Back in the 80's I was at Corbin in Hollister getting one of their seats installed on my '83 R100RS and Mike Corbin told me that replacing stock BMW seats was keeping them in business.