Electric shock from front brake, Yamaha WR

[Eric SmithMember]

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?

[Eric SmithMember]

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:

[ChrisMember]

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.

[DavidMember]

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?

[Eric SmithMember]

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!

[BillMember]

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

[GregMember]

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

[Eric SmithMember]

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.

[DavidMember]

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

[GregMember]

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

[Nick AgainMember]

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:

[DavidMember]

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:

[Eric SmithMember]

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!)

[DavidMember]

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:

[ChrisMember]

Is that what that little green flashing thing is.

[Author]

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