Electric shock from front brake, Yamaha WR

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February 20, 2009 at 3:17 am #95904

Eric Smith
Member

I have been getting the problem where I get a (quite noticable) electric shock from the front brake of my bike. At times it gets bad enough that it comes through the clutch as well.

I ducked in to see a (decent) bike shop yesterday and his take on the problem was like this:
When installing the GYTR barkbusters, random bikes were done carelessly and they pinched the wiring loom, causing a short in the front brake light switch wires. It can be fixed by finding the break in the wire and cutting that section out and replacing it. If the problem is severe, it may need a new front brake switch as apparently it can short out in there as well, buggering the switch.

Is this correct? Does anyone know anything more about this problem?

February 20, 2009 at 3:26 am #123182

Eric Smith
Member

A quick search on DBW came up with this snippit of info:

Nutty Prof on DBW wrote:

Quote:

…This is very common, the ADR loom takes it’s feed from the US looms’ headlght feed. The clutch has nothing to do with the problem. The voltage at the headlight feed is too much for the insulation at the front brake switch.

The fix is to completely remove the ADR loom and feed the brake switches from the US tail light feed (which doesn’t have a brake light), this requires running a 2 core wire to the front brake switch from the rear brake switch circuit, then wiring both switches in parallel.

Some forums advise to earth the brake light switch but this will draw excess currents to earth from the US looms’ headlight feed, possibly causing cable damage.

A ten minute job for any competent mechanic.

Now all I have to do is find a competent mechanic!:blink:

February 20, 2009 at 3:52 am #123183

Chris
Member

I got told it was either the Kill Switch (which you have already tried) or a faulty front brake light switch. Luckily my issue was the kill switch and easy enough to fix with some leccy tape.

Chris.

February 20, 2009 at 5:13 am #123186

David
Member

Never Happened on a KTM………Had it happen years ago on an old Yamaha IT 250K 1981, and it was a bugger, I did not want to use the controls:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Funny though never happened on a KTM….did I already say that?

February 20, 2009 at 5:20 am #123199

Eric Smith
Member

Yeah yeah we get your point! I think we may have pushed you KTM blokes too far lately!

It is a bloody pain though, hit the brakes and suddenly there’s a shock going up your arm and your fingers want to let go but the brain says “No no no! Gotta stop!!”

Stupid fault, should not happen with modern bikes. Poor show Yamaha!

February 20, 2009 at 5:42 am #123204

Bill
Member

are you sure its not the kill switch brake lights ect are only low voltage a should only give a very light tingle not a shock I would check the kill switch first

February 20, 2009 at 5:53 am #123207

Greg
Member

KTM Bull wrote:

Quote:

are you sure its not the kill switch brake lights etc are only low voltage a should only give a very light tingle not a shock I would check the kill switch first

I thought that months ago when Chris first mentioned it, check it out guy, ignition is much higher volts and amps then the lights, look at your wiring diagrams

TB

February 20, 2009 at 5:54 am #123208

Eric Smith
Member

I have put insulation tape under the kill switch and still get the shock. Apparently this is a common problem and the front brake switch is the source of the shock. Weird I know, but that’s what they say.

February 20, 2009 at 6:12 am #123209

David
Member

Try a set of rubber gloves under your normal gloves:laugh: :laugh:

February 20, 2009 at 6:18 am #123210

Greg
Member

Try ringing Ballards and ask for Geoff or try a a good dealer, Chris’s dealer knew about it but did nothing and forget listening to Dave :blink:

TB

February 20, 2009 at 7:31 am #123205

Nick Again
Member

ECKS-Man wrote:

Quote:

Yeah yeah we get your point! I think we may have pushed you KTM blokes too far lately!

It is a bloody pain though, hit the brakes and suddenly there’s a shock going up your arm and your fingers want to let go but the brain says “No no no! Gotta stop!!”

Stupid fault, should not happen with modern bikes. Poor show Yamaha!

On the bright side, it’s a good thing there isn’t enough jolt to make your hand sieze, giving the front brake a more than necessary Squeeze..handy for on the fly Mudgaurd inspection, little else though.
Sorry, no doubt you didnt need to hear this.
On the issue at hand..no Idea. :dry:

February 20, 2009 at 7:37 am #123212

David
Member

Trailboss wrote:

Quote:

Try ringing Ballards and ask for Geoff or try a a good dealer, Chris’s dealer knew about it but did nothing and forget listening to Dave :blink:

TB

I put heaps of thought into that:(
Better than the first solution I thought of, I was going to tell you to just hack saw the lever off, problem solved you never have to touch it again, but I thought the rubber gloves would be better:dry: :dry: :dry: :blink:

February 20, 2009 at 8:53 am #123216

Eric Smith
Member

I’m giving consideration to the idea of putting a neoprene sleeve over the brake lever, that way it will be like heated grips, only a heated brake lever! (And about as useful!)

February 21, 2009 at 12:18 am #123187

David
Member

Hey Chris are your PM’s working Mate I have sent you two and not got a whisper…..or dont you like me either:blink: :blink: :ohmy: :unsure:

February 21, 2009 at 12:21 am #123246

Chris
Member

Is that what that little green flashing thing is.
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Electric shock from front brake, Yamaha WR