Brake lights law. - SORTED

McFlufferson · Scooby Slapper Joined: 01 Jul 2011 Karma :

So, the brake light works for the front brake, but doesn't work for the back. I understand it might be to do with the rear switch, but if it is it'll take a bit before I can get one right now.

What's the law on this? Do both brake lights have to be working to be legal? I mean, I don't expect I'd get pulled because I'd be using the front anyway most of the time, but do I need to be worried?

Also any tips on what else could be causing it would be useful.
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weasley · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Karma :

It'll fail an MoT like that but unlikely anyone would notice unless you were stopped for something else and the bike given a once over.
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Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

All motorcycles should have brake lamp that iluminates on either front or rear brake operatrion.
Excemptions exist; vehicles with no lights, under 'off-road' adaption; machines built before I think 1982 only have to have one on either front or back.

Are you sure the switrch is 'duff' though. Rear brake switches often sieze from lack of use, and or dont get adjusted.

Common one on drum brake bikes is that they dont get adjusted, brake does, and eventually the spring between pedal & switch is so stretched it never pulls switch far enough to work it.

Bit of prodding, some penatrating oil, WD40 and an old tooth brush, probably find it'll 'fix' with little more than a bit of patient fiddling
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Bezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Karma :

It's pre 1986 that you only need either front or back brake to work the light. From April? '86 you need both to work.
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McFlufferson · Scooby Slapper Joined: 01 Jul 2011 Karma :

McFlufferson · Scooby Slapper Joined: 01 Jul 2011 Karma :

Sorted. Turns out it just needed a blast of WD40 and a bit of an adjustment. Thanks a lot for the help.
____________________
Think that you'll stay loyal to a loving bike? So did I. Only rich men can afford to stay loyal. The poorer of us will whore ourselves out to any two wheeled monstrosity that will take us.