What you describe sounds kind of impossible. Your brake has to completely released or you wouldnt be able to go far! (hence the brake would be applied) Sounds like a short in the brake light switch or a bad switch. Easiest fix would be to get a Banjo Pressure switch (about $18) and then you wouldnt have to worry about if the switch is bad or not. Otherwise look at the switch (bottom side of the clutch perch) and make sure everything is properly connected and that its pushing the clicker when the lever begins to depress. If it is pushing it when the lever is not being pulled then it sounds like your switch may be installed in the wrong position or imporoperly. Hope this helps

 

first remove the screws for the switch and make sure it works properly. just tap it with your finger, making sure it brake lights do come off.
if they dont, get a new switch.

now re-mount the switch.. the screws should have enough wiggle room to set it properly. if they dont, then you can use a small file to elongate the mounting holes in the switch until it fits properly.

 

Haven't had a reason to look at the brake light switch set up but I guess it would be similar to the clutch switch set up.
I had the opposite problem with the clutch. When pulled it would not activate the switch, allowing the starter to be used. I had to build up the small bump in the lever which pressed on the switch.
In your case you could file a bit of this bump off so that the switch is not activated when the lever is fully released.
I don't think there is any adjustment on the switch. If you wanted to go that way you would have to elongate some holes, as suggested in the previous post.

 

I can't look at the bike at the moment, I keep it at my friends house because he has a garage. I'm alot more comfortable keeping it there than here at my apartment. I dont know if this helps, but once I use the front brake. I can release the lever and the brakes are released but the brake light is still on. I can bump the lever forward and the light goes off. Thats my problem. So I dont think it's the switch, sounds like I may need to file like some have already said. Sound about right to you guys?

 

loosten the screws first, slide it, and retighten.
and make sure the problem is the switch by confirming that the lever comes back all the way.

also, if you changed levers, be sure the "pin" of the master cyl is in the hole in the barrel.. not just in the guidehole leading to the barrel.

 

file the switch or there might be enough slack when the screws are loosened to push it back enough away from the lever.

 

Appreciate all the feedback guys. I'll give it a try once I get out to the bike.

 

Problem has been solved. It was the cheap carbon levers. I replaced with OEM and everything works like it should.

 

Hi All,Just a side note to this thread.Be extremely carefull using cheap levers or straightening bent levers or handlebars,with the amount of force applied on heavy braking the last thing you need is for anything to break off in your hand when you need it most.Cheers ,Steve.