I switched out the front brake master cylinder, and plugged the wires back on- not in any order that I could tell????? Just two wires and two spades and figured it didnt make any difference. Maybe it does?

I also tightened up the rear brake some. I can see the switch getting a very small tug when the rear brake is applied, but the light is not going off. I tried pulling and pushing on that switch too, no joy.

Had the tank off, moved the coils while adjusting valves, could I have unhooked a brake light wire?

PS: after a 2 yr nap, this 04 Rebel started fine and runs well............

It sounds like you need to adjust the rear brake switch. When you tighten the brake, you need to loosen the switch adjustment. See part 5 here: https://www.cheapcycleparts.com/oemp...54be0330/pedal

If it's too tight, the brake light stays on.

thanks, will work with that switch more............

Can someone help me out here on the stuck brake light..........am I correct in thinking that the front master cyl plug ons dont need to be on a specific side?

I plan to play w/the rear brake switch tomorrow- did some earlier but it didnt seem to help. Guess I will remove the seat so I can unplug that wire and to make sure its the rear switch thats causing the issue.

George

makes no difference which spade fitting the wires connect to on front brake micro switch

A quick way to see if the rear switch is the cause, would be to slip the spring off the end of the switch. If the light goes off, there's your problem. To adjust it, put the spring back on and ease off on the tension until the light goes on and off as the pedal is depressed and released.

Thanks, that was my plan, to unhook the rear...thanks, George

Re adjusted the rear brake switch, no joy, took the bulb out, put it back and it worked again.........could have been a combo of both actions, but, its working!

Now a small oil leak on the left front of the engine- have not had time to track tack down- looks like the shifter shaft is way back there, so it must be something else. I did see a wire going up into the sidecase in this are, are there common issues in this area?

Oil drain bolt washer may be leaking. If the washer surface is uneven or grit is caught between it and the mating surfaces, it can leak. PO let grit get in between the washer and case, pocking the washer. Sanded the washer surface flat, made sure drain hole surface was clean when changing oil, and no more problems.

Or if you just changed oil, there could be a residual drip or two off the rubber splash guard or engine.

Thanks, I DID change the oil and installed a new HONDA brand washer- and cleaned the surface. SO, I will look closely at that before I do any more............