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[GregKhougaz]

       Thought I'd better post a warning for those who had the Brake Switch Recall for 2009-2012 Touring Bikes.  Had my brake switch swapped out and supposedly tested in late October, 2011.  Brakes have seemed fine since.  I am one of those who use front brakes about 75% and rear about 25%.  No issues since... until:

       Last Saturday as we left breakfast on the SoCal "UFO" Ride. to Deer Lodge, Ojai,
 I realized my rear brake peddle was "soft" to say the least.  I still had some rear brake but obviously, there was an issue.  Looked at the brake fluid window and the fluid was obviously low!    Could not find an obvious leak.    Our next stop was to be Simi Valley HD so I figured I could make it with just front brakes.  

       So, at Simi HD, the service writer, Chad got me into service in about 45 min.  I thought that not bad for a Sat. at 11:30 a.m.  The CVOers wanted to wait (Thanks guys!) but we eventually agreed that it would be better for them to go the Deer Lodge and that I'd catch up with Fred.  My bike was assigned to Dana, a most anal technician.    Dana found a very small drip at the rear brake light switch and discerned that the connection was not tight enough.  He tightened the line, added brake fluid, bled the brakes and performed an ABS test.  The whole process, with road test, took about an hour.  I have the extended service plan (warranty) and Chad waived the $50 deductible.    Fred and I rode hard to catch the group in Ojai which was great fun.  Checked the line and fluid level several times and all seems good.  I have to assume I had the leak all along but it was just so small it took months to show up.  

       Anyone who has had their brake switch swapped may want to be on the lookout!  

GK

[Ghost__Rider]

Yeah, I have seen issues on a few the dealer in my area has done also..........

[1sharprdkg]

Thanks for the heads up. I don't have 100% confidence in my local stealer so will keep that on the "watch/to do" list.

[Hotrod50]

Where is the rear light switch located?  09SERG

[GregKhougaz]

Where is the rear light switch located?  09SERG

I think you can see photos in the Brake Switch Recall thread.  Click on the blue lettering at the start of my first post.  The switch is on the right side of the bike behind the lower frame rail and below the passenger foot peg.

[Eqcons]

      Thought I'd better post a warning for those who had the Brake Switch Recall for 2009-2012 Touring Bikes.  Had my brake switch swapped out and supposedly tested in late October, 2011.  Brakes have seemed fine since.  I am one of those who use front brakes about 75% and rear about 25%.  No issues since... until:

       Last Saturday as we left breakfast on the SoCal "UFO" Ride. to Deer Lodge, Ojai,
 I realized my rear brake peddle was "soft" to say the least.  I still had some rear brake but obviously, there was an issue.  Looked at the brake fluid window and the fluid was obviously low!    Could not find an obvious leak.    Our next stop was to be Simi Valley HD so I figured I could make it with just front brakes.  

       So, at Simi HD, the service writer, Chad got me into service in about 45 min.  I thought that not bad for a Sat. at 11:30 a.m.  The CVOers wanted to wait (Thanks guys!) but we eventually agreed that it would be better for them to go the Deer Lodge and that I'd catch up with Fred.  My bike was assigned to Dana, a most anal technician.    Dana found a very small drip at the rear brake light switch and discerned that the connection was not tight enough.  He tightened the line, added brake fluid, bled the brakes and performed an ABS test.  The whole process, with road test, took about an hour.  I have the extended service plan (warranty) and Chad waived the $50 deductible.    Fred and I rode hard to catch the group in Ojai which was great fun.  Checked the line and fluid level several times and all seems good.  I have to assume I had the leak all along but it was just so small it took months to show up.  

       Anyone who has had their brake switch swapped may want to be on the lookout!  

GK

Hd my switch [finally] changed out last Friday - I'll watch closely, thanks for the warming! 

Jim

[16HD117]

      Thought I'd better post a warning for those who had the Brake Switch Recall for 2009-2012 Touring Bikes. Had my brake switch swapped out and supposedly tested in late October, 2011.  Brakes have seemed fine since.  I am one of those who use front brakes about 75% and rear about 25%.  No issues since... until:

       Last Saturday as we left breakfast on the SoCal "UFO" Ride. to Deer Lodge, Ojai,
 I realized my rear brake peddle was "soft" to say the least.  I still had some rear brake but obviously, there was an issue.  Looked at the brake fluid window and the fluid was obviously low!    Could not find an obvious leak.    Our next stop was to be Simi Valley HD so I figured I could make it with just front brakes.  

       So, at Simi HD, the service writer, Chad got me into service in about 45 min.  I thought that not bad for a Sat. at 11:30 a.m.  The CVOers wanted to wait (Thanks guys!) but we eventually agreed that it would be better for them to go the Deer Lodge and that I'd catch up with Fred.  My bike was assigned to Dana, a most anal technician.    Dana found a very small drip at the rear brake light switch and discerned that the connection was not tight enough.  He tightened the line, added brake fluid, bled the brakes and performed an ABS test.  The whole process, with road test, took about an hour.  I have the extended service plan (warranty) and Chad waived the $50 deductible.    Fred and I rode hard to catch the group in Ojai which was great fun.  Checked the line and fluid level several times and all seems good.  I have to assume I had the leak all along but it was just so small it took months to show up.  

       Anyone who has had their brake switch swapped may want to be on the lookout!  

GK

Wow!  The same thing happened to me twice!.

I had the switch recall done in April.  Judy and I left for Ribfest a few days early and rode through the Smokies for a couple of days.  At first the brakes were fine but started getting spongy.  We stayed in Nashville a couple of days so I went to a dealer there to have the brakes checked.  Switch was loose and they repaired and bled brakes.

This past weekend I went back to the NC mountains for a loooong weekend ride.  Friday afternoon the rear brakes started to fade.  Saturday morning as we started out on the days ride the rear brakes went out completely out on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  WE were about thirty miles from the Ashville dealer and it was a down hill ride most of the way!  Made it to the dealer OK (except for one caution/red light).  Switch was loose again!  I insisted that they replace the switch instead of just tightening which I had to pay for!  Service manager said HD warranty wouldn't cover replacement since there was "no apparent defect"!

My concern now is it going to happen again?
 

[GregKhougaz]

Wow Tommy!  That should not have happened twice.  I have just kept a careful eye on mine and it seems fine.  Almost three months now but it was nearly four before it loosened the first time.   

[TN]

one more thing to keep an eye out on.


I.............................................................nevermind



letz ride


TN

[miker]

What size wrench do we need to carry for that?

[TN]

What size wrench do we need to carry for that?

17mm for switch, 16mm to hold block.

[miker]

 

[16HD117]

17mm for switch, 16mm to hold block.

Mike, to make this clear, you'll need two wrenches, a 17 and a 16.  A 17, 16 combo will not work (unless you have a hacksaw)!
 

[miker]

How bout these?  They come in metric and standard....

[2k]

How bout these?  They come in metric and standard....

That looks more like a 3/4, not a 17mm