Brake switch question

[photorider]

I recently purchased a '76 R60/6 (the one with the drum brakes) and noticed that the brake light does not come on when I apply the front brake (works fine with the rear). Further inspection revealed that there is no switch. I ordered the switch but I can't figure out how to install it. I can't even figure out where it goes! Any help would be appreciated.

 

[20774]

What part number did you order? Was it 61 31 1 351 662? A subject like this came up on another forum for someone's early /5. Turns out he had a RH assembly with a threaded hole like the one in the upper left of this picture:

http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/perch/perch1.JPG

That's where the switch should go.

 

[photorider]

Thanks for the reply and photo, Kurt. That is indeed the part number I ordered. I can't however, find the threaded hole that it is supposed to fit into on the RH controls. I'm wondering if the RH controls were swapped at some point by the PO. Are the RH controls different in an R60/6 than they would be in say an R90/6 which came with disc brakes?

 

[20774]

The part number appears to be the same, regardless of drum or disk brakes. That threaded hole might be hard to see...almost have to stand on your head to see it! But it's possible that the controls could have been switched. However, they would have had to go back to the pre-70 type of controls. Most of the non-US models back in the '60s did not have a front brake switch. I've checked my R69S and there is not enough room to put such a hole. It is my understanding that all /5 on bikes came with the front brake switch feature, and thus the hole in the controls.

 

[bmwwrench]

If my memory serves, you need a 61311243403-the same switch used for the clutch side. This is piston style switch. There is a (roughly) 6mm hole through the perch and a 4mm screw to hold one side of the switch; the other side is held down by the knurled nut on the cable adjuster. This switch is no fun to install. You have to remove the cable and rotate the pech upward to install it.

 

[photorider]

Thanks, Lostboy. So you think I got the wrong switch, huh? I wouldn't be surprised since I just don't see any way the one I got would fit under there. I'll take another look at it.