bike fell over - brake light stuck on :(

[blueks]

Hi,

I came out of work yesterday and my poor 696 was laying on her side. No damage really as she fell into a "grass knoll" lol, but the rear brake lever did get bent in a bit. I heated the lever up today and bent it back into postion, but wasn't able to make the brake light turn off. Would anyone know how to make the brake light turn off, or perhaps know what is damaged that would make the brake light stay on? I messed with the adjustments on the rear brake lever also without luck. Thanks for taking the time to read my post!

--Pamela

[Spidey]

Edit:  Oops, you said REAR brake.  Eye stoopid.  Ah well, check the front brake anyway.

I'm not positive about the 696 hardware, but on other Ducatis with similar brake set-ups, there's a little plastic microswitch (it has a little nub on the end of it) that the pivoting end of brake lever should press on.  Either your microswitch popped out--in which case you can just stick it back in--or the nub broke off.  Take a look at it and see if that's the problem. 

P.S.  Sorry 'bout the bike.  I hate that feeling of coming out to see your baby sitting on her side.   

[Spidey]

Actually, it looks the same.  It's #5 on this parts diagram (which you can download from ducati.com).

[Speeddog]

I've seen the little plunger rod on a rear brake switch get folded over, so the switch wouldn't release.

[DucLeone]

I've seen the little plunger rod on a rear brake switch get folded over, so the switch wouldn't release.

happend to me once
just push down the lever by hand and you should see the switch/plunger, mine was bent and wouldn't go in,

bent back and voila', easy fix.

[blueks]

I'll check the front brake again and thank you. As for the rear brake, the lever it self connects to a vlave of some sorts for the rear disc. It has a length adjustable shaft that slides in and out of the valve as the rear brake lever is applied. Ive played with that adjustment but have had no luck. I dont see anything damaged. Am I looking in the right place?

[pnut]

The rear break lever(foot pedal) has a small electrical switch attatched to it.  It's easy enough to find, it's the thing next to the foot lever that has wires running from it.  If it is anything like the switch on the the S*R series bikes, then it is not your standard electrical switch.  It is commonly known as a deadman's switch or a reverse switch.  When there is no pressure on the switch, the tail light lights up.  when there is pressure on the switch, the light turns off.   

[Spidey]

Here ya go:

[Howie]

First determine whether the problem is from the front or rear switch.  Follow the wires from the front switch until you come to a connector.  Disconnect.  Light goes out the problem is at the front switch.  Light stays on the problem is at the rear switch.

If the problem is at the front switch it can be adjustment of the switch or the dowel Spidey is talking about.  Adjustment of the front switch is done by loosening the 1mm screws that hold it in place and moving the switch.  You can test the rear switch by manually moving the plunger up and down.  The rear switch is adjusted by turning in or out.

[blueks]

ok I'm going to try to figure this out in a couple of hours. Please stay tuned and thank you for all the help!

[blueks]

I figured this out. The adjuster screw, which I believe is #7 on the rear brake picture , when the brake lever is not depressed, it holds in a little pin that activates the rear brake light. The little pin was protruding out of its hole and bent at a 90 degree angle, therefore stuck in the "on"position - a reverse switch as pnut said. So i bent it back and was able to push it back into its hole. Although it will no longer spring out when the lever is depressed, the brake light is now off. Who needs a rear brake light anyway! I still have my front lol. Thanks for the help!

[DuciD03]

...., the brake light is now off. Who needs a rear brake light anyway! I still have my front lol. Thanks for the help!

Congrats on the fix! 

Your joking on the above; right? .... But; please fix the rear light so its operational; if it doesn't work it may be the quickest way to get rearended by another vehicle and your insurance would have reason not to cover you!

[Ducnial]

Congrats on the fix! 

Your joking on the above; right? .... But; please fix the rear light so its operational; if it doesn't work it may be the quickest way to get rearended by another vehicle and your insurance would have reason not to cover you!

Me thinks blueks means the rear brake wont trigger the brake light but the front brake lever still does, at least I hope.     I'd suggest getting it replace at some point. I use mine to hold the bike at a lights and it comforting to know I'm more visible.