Motorcycle Repair: front brake, fluid surface, alan morgan

Question
Hello Again,
Trouble with 1997 FLHR front brake lever.
When using the front brake the brake light does not go off without pushing forward on the lever.It will but very slow, 10-15 + seconds. Brake is not sticking just the light. I thought it could have been a bubble but after bleeding the front brake, still the same. Reading in the service manual it says to actuate the the brake and a slight spurt of fluid will break the fluid surface from the relief port. It does not. Do you think a complete rebuild is in order? Only a little over 16k on the bike, or is there another answer to clearing the relief port. Could this be what is keeping the plunger from pushing the lever back off the tail light switch.
Thanks Again, Alan Morgan

Answer
First thing to check is the button for the brake light. Looking at your right controls you will see that the switches are in one piece and the brake handle and master cyinder is in another piece. Both these parts must be slid together tightly. the button is located in the switch housing. When the housing for the brake assemble is pushed against the switch housing it pushes the button in and turns off the brake light. If they are no tighly together the button comes out and the light comes on.
Your master cylinder has nothing to do with this operation, its the brake handle that works it. Even if you dont have any fluid in the system it will still work.
If the above doesnt help then you will probably have to replace the brake handle. The hole in the lever where the pin goes in, which holds it, is probably wore.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike