K11 front brake lever sticks ...

With the result being the brake light will stay on. So, I have to bump it "out" with my finger to make the brake light turn off.

Does the lever pivot simply need cleaning?

Is there a weak spring in need of replacement?

Suggestions and insight will, as always, be appreciated.

I'm in the same boat on my K1100LTX. I put a coil spring in to push the handle out, after first being CERTAIN the master cylinder wasn't hanging up unduely. I suspect it won't be long to a cylinder rebuild.

Sooo ... I still don't get it.

What role does the cylinder play in the return on the brake lever? It seems to me the cylinder is passive in the mechanical process, meaning it only applies pressure to the pads when the lever is used, but the cylinder does not have any way of "pushing back," causing the lever to return and thereby allowing the brake light to go off.

There is indeed a spring within the master cylinder, but it requires disassembling of the master cylinder. Chances are that the spring is not weak, but possibly rubbing against the walls of the cylinder, or being somewhat restrained from free movement by "grunge" in the master cylinder. When was the last time the brake fluid was changed/flushed? You do that, don't you? At least every 2 years. Have you lubed the brake lever pivot within recent memory? A little WD-40 may help, or remove the lever pivot screw, clean everything up, inspect for wear patterns, put a little grease on the pivot, then reassemble. Also at that time look at where the switch contacts the lever. Just some ideas.

Engine oil (synthetic) is changed every 3k, and the other fluids are changed annually.