WOF failure brake light switch

[GSXCHCH]

My 1980 GSX250 failed its WOF due to the front brake light switch not operating, part of the mechanism is missing and I've tracked down a replacment assembly from a wreckers. Unfortunately the wrecker's hardly ever open and I'm still waiting to get the replacement bit.

The foot brake still operates the brake light, I note that the law says that bike registered after 1978 need one or two brake light switches (nicely worded legislation there)

Question is do I really need the front brake switch to operate in order to get a WOF?

[Rockbuddy]

unsure of the law but it makes sense that if you put the brakes on your brake light should go on. just fix it

[Dakara]

I've actually been wondering about this, as my Hyo has the same problem. Sat my Restricted and the tester was happy with it since the Bake brake still activated the light.

[davereid]

Motu is the expert on ths stuff as he is an AVI.

But your brake light is supposed to work under the "if its fitted its got to go" rule.

Not a bad idea to have your brake light working on both brakes regardless. May just stop someone shortening your bike, and/or life.

[fridayflash]

my gsx750 of similar vintage failed last week for the same thing
luckily i was able to just unscrew the bottom and wipe the contacts
clean and bingo!

[mouldy]

My 1980 GSX250 failed its WOF due to the front brake light switch not operating, part of the mechanism is missing and I've tracked down a replacment assembly from a wreckers. Unfortunately the wrecker's hardly ever open and I'm still waiting to get the replacement bit.

The foot brake still operates the brake light, I note that the law says that bike registered after 1978 need one or two brake light switches (nicely worded legislation there)

Question is do I really need the front brake switch to operate in order to get a WOF?
yes you do . Suzuki front brake light switches are notorious for corroding up pull it to bits and try cleaning it otherwise accessorie brand new ones are available , about $20 .

[HRT]

Warrant rejection reasons for brake lights:






Reasons for rejection



Mandatory and permitted equipment


1. A motorcycle first registered in New Zealand on or
after 1/1/1978 is not fitted with one stop lamp.

2. A motorcycle is fitted with more than two stop lamps.

3. A motorcycle (eg vintage or veteran motorcycle) does
not meet standard stop lamp requirements, and:
a) does not have a valid vehicle identity card with a
lighting equipment endorsement, or
b) does not meet the conditions of the lighting
equipment endorsement in its vehicle identity card.

4. A retrofitted stop lamp is fitted at a height from
the ground exceeding 1.5 m (or 2.1 m where fitting
below 1.5 m is not practicable due to the shape of the
bodywork of the motorcycle).

5. A retrofitted pair of lamps:
a) is not symmetrically mounted, or
b) is not mounted as far towards each side of the
motorcycle as practicable.


Condition

6. A lamp is insecure, obscured, or contains visible
moisture or dirt.

7. A lens is missing, or has a hole, crack or other damage
that allows moisture or dirt to enter.

8. A reflector is damaged or deteriorated so that light
output is reduced.


Performance

9. When the service brake is applied:
a) a mandatory lamp does not operate, or
b) a lamp does not remain steadily illuminated.

10. A lamp operates when the service brake is not applied.

11. A lamp emits a light that is:
a) not substantially red, or
b) not diff use, or
c) not projected to the rear, or
d) different in intensity from the other lamp in a pair, or
e) not bright enough to produce a light that is
visible from 100 m in normal daylight, eg due to
modification, deterioration or an incorrect light
source.

12. A non-OE lamp not mounted in the original position,
emits a light that is not visible within (Figure 4-10-1):
a) 15˚ above and below the horizontal, and
b) 45˚ either side of the vertical.

13. A modification to the motorcycle has reduced the
lamp’s angles to less than (Figure 4-10-1):
a) 15˚ above and below the horizontal, or
b) 45˚ either side of the vertical.

14. Where a lamp comprises an array of light sources
(eg LEDs), less than 75% of these operate.

15. On a motorcycle of American origin fitted with
combined stop and direction indicator lamps, the
stop lamp function is not overridden by the indicator
function.

[HRT]

Nothing about switches. This is the other side of the page saying what you are allowed (permitted) and what you have to have (mandatory).




Mandatory and permitted equipment

1. A motorcycle first registered in New Zealand before
1/1/1978 may be fi tted with one or two stop lamps.

2. A motorcycle first registered in New Zealand on or
after 1/1/1978 must be fitted with one or two stop
lamps.

3. A motorcycle (eg a vintage or veteran motorcycle)
manufactured without lamps, or with lamps that
cannot meet specified requirements, may obtain a
WoF if:
a) the motorcycle has a valid vehicle identify card
with a lighting equipment endorsement, and
b) the motorcycle meets the conditions of that
endorsement.

4. A retrofitted pair of stop lamps must be
symmetrically mounted as far towards each side of
the motorcycle as practicable.

5. A retrofitted stop lamp must be fitted at a height
from the ground not exceeding 1.5 m, or if this is not
practicable due to the shape of the bodywork of the
motorcycle, not exceeding 2.1 m.

[toebug]

See this link for all your WOF information. Well worth having on the shelf if you play around with bikes.

http://landtransport.govt.nz/certifiers/virm-in-service/index.html#motorcycles

[Motu]

From the VIRM.

''Stop lamp means a lamp that is designed to operate when the service brake is applied, ie when either the front
service brake, the rear service brake, or both the front and rear service brakes are applied.''

I can't really see anything to question there......

[GSXCHCH]

my gsx750 of similar vintage failed last week for the same thing
luckily i was able to just unscrew the bottom and wipe the contacts
clean and bingo!

My contacts still work when I put a screwdriver or similar across them. I think I'm missing a piece of metal above the contacts which moves when the lever is operated and joins the contacts - is this how yours worked?

[imdying]

WOF standards or not, you'd be retarded to neglect something that'll potentially save you from being rear ended.

[FROSTY]

My contacts still work when I put a screwdriver or similar across them. I think I'm missing a piece of metal above the contacts which moves when the lever is operated and joins the contacts - is this how yours worked?
As mouldy said just buy a new accessory switch for $20 and get on with life

[GSXCHCH]

Righto I'm going to pickup a new switch tomorrow.

[ekspatriat]

Is that any device (originally) FITTED has to work as designed so irrespective of it being a brake switch, indicator, shock absorber etc etc if there it gotta work.

[Ixion]

Not quite.

What the VIRM actually says



Note 3 A forward-facing permitted lamp that does not comply with the equipment,condition and performance
requirements must be made to comply or be removed from the vehicle.