Brake Lights

Forum rules
Please do not start new topics here, but here: New Panhead and Flathead topics
Post Reply
Tudelum48
Member
Posts: 84
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:50 am
Bikes: 1950 Harley Hydraglide
Location: Punkin Ridge Kentucky

Brake Lights

#1

Post by Tudelum48 »

My parts book shows a brake switch in it for big twins. My bike appears to have never had a brake switch. The tail light was just a single element bulb.
Did my 50 come with stock with a brake switch? was it an accessory?
1950Panhead
Senior Member
Posts: 2404
Joined: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:28 am
Bikes: 1950Panhead
Location: USA
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 366 times

Re: Brake Lights

#2

Post by 1950Panhead »

Did my 50 come with stock with a brake switch?
Yes
panhead
Site Admin
Senior Member
Posts: 3287
Joined: Mon Jan 01, 2001 12:00 pm
Bikes: 1954 FL
Location: Holland
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 485 times

Re: Brake Lights

#3

Post by panhead »

Image
Buddhahoodvatoloco
Site sponsor
Site sponsor
Senior Member
Posts: 1916
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2011 8:43 pm
Bikes: 1969 FLF
1937 EL
1940 U
Location: san diego
Has thanked: 1475 times
Been thanked: 241 times

Re: Brake Lights

#4

Post by Buddhahoodvatoloco »

Answered, I have now gone to hard wiring the ground on those assemblies..
Bigincher
Former member
Senior Member
Posts: 2784
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:10 pm
Bikes: 1941/59 EL
1952 FL
1977 FLH
1994 Fatboy
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 110 times

Re: Brake Lights

#5

Post by Bigincher »

As seen in this factory photo, the brake light switch mounts in conjunction with the exhaust squish pipe to a tab on the frame brake crossover shaft support.
A small bracket clamps onto the brake rod and connects to the switch with a spring. You will need all those parts (as shown in the parts diagram above) to restore your '50 back to stock.

Image
Tudelum48
Member
Posts: 84
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 2:50 am
Bikes: 1950 Harley Hydraglide
Location: Punkin Ridge Kentucky

Re: Brake Lights

#6

Post by Tudelum48 »

Guess those parts weren't in my basket case. Did they use just a single element bulb and you either have brake light or running light? Mine just had a single element bulb in the taillight.
Should be easy enough to put a dual element socket in.
Bigincher
Former member
Senior Member
Posts: 2784
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:10 pm
Bikes: 1941/59 EL
1952 FL
1977 FLH
1994 Fatboy
Has thanked: 22 times
Been thanked: 110 times

Re: Brake Lights

#7

Post by Bigincher »

The stock tail light has dual elements, tail light and brake light. I'm guessing you'll need a complete tail light, as well.
RUBONE
Moderator
Senior Member
Posts: 8376
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
Has thanked: 478 times
Been thanked: 2933 times

Re: Brake Lights

#8

Post by RUBONE »

Guess those parts weren't in my basket case. Did they use just a single element bulb and you either have brake light or running light? Mine just had a single element bulb in the taillight.
Look in the parts breakdowns shown in the parts book available in the documentation section of this forum and answer all your questions...

https://www.hydra-glide.net/kb/kb_index.php
Post Reply

Return to “Brakes”