updated 2022-01
Contents:
A. Brake Light Switches
1. Screw-in (Europe)
2. Screw-in (Taiwan)
3. Slide-in type
4. Inline type
5. Foot Brake
6. Motobecane type
B. Info and Wiring
Please note the push button on a brake light switch is normally (most of the time) pushed in when installed. It is only momentarily released out when the brake is applied. That is opposite of most other push buttons. To avoid this source of confusion you have to add “when installed” to specify the way it functions. A normally closed switch is normally open when installed and visa versa.
A. Brake Light Switches
1. Screw-in type (European mopeds)
These brake light switches are located on the hand levers.
Tip color: On vintage European moped brake light switches, the color of the tip tells the function. Black tip is normally open when installed. White or brass tip is normally closed when installed.
Threads: Vintage moped controls, made in Germany by Magura and in Italy by Domino, OSL, and PV, and modern Domino controls, have “inch” threads on the brake light switch holes, ¼”- 32 tpi. A ¼” (6.3 mm) brake switch measures 6.1 to 6.2 mm at the thread tops.
Magura 1970’s
CEV 9343 brake light switch black tip
¼”-28 thread, normally-open-when-installed
9343 $15.0 used, cleaned and tested
(open when button is pushed in, closed when released out)
Domino 70’s
CEV 9342 brake light switch white tip
¼”-28 thread, normally-closed-when-installed
9342 22-17 new $17 used, cleaned and tested
(closed when button is pushed in, open when released out)
Magura 1970’s
Magura brake light switch black tip
¼”-28 thread, normally-open-when-installed
9343M none Germany-made
(closed when button is released out)
Generic brake light switch black tip
¼”-28 thread, normally-open-when-installed
9343G none Looks good but many were bad.
(closed when button is released out)
A replacement for many vintage mopeds.
Generic brake light switch white tip
M6-0.8 thread, normally-closed-when-installed
9342G none new (open when button is released)
In the mid 2000’s these were made correct, like a white tip CEV.
But later ones functioned like a black tip CEV, the opposite way.
Generic brake light switch white tip
M6-0.8 thread, normally-open-when-installed
635022 $12 new (closed when button is released)
Has a white tip but functions like a vintage black tip.
Olympia brake light switch, longer, black long tip
¼”-28 thread, normally-open-when-installed
9343O none new (closed when button is released)
A replacement for many vintage mopeds.
Domino 2806.20.04, black long tip
¼”-28 thread, normally-closed-when-installed
9342D $9.00 (open when button is released)
A replacement for many vintage mopeds.
HR 1990’s
Tomos HR brake light switch, longer, black tip
¼”-28 thread, normally-open-when-installed
227191 $15 new (closed when button is released)
Required on ’92-08 Tomos drum brake models, with
HR controls (identified by the blue horn botton).
Also for others, when a small o-ring is added as a “riser”.
Domino 00’s
Domino 2218.20.04, white long tip
¼”-28 thread, normally-open-when-installed
232867 $9.00 new (closed when button is released)
Original on Tomos ’02-07 disk brake models, with
Domino controls (identified by yellow horn button).
Also a replacement for many vintage mopeds.
TBS 2010’s
Tomos TBS brake light switch, smaller, white long tip
M6-0.80 thread, normally-open-when-installed
243241 $9.00 new (closed when button is released)
Required on 2008-17 Tomos Sprint, ST, LX, with
TBS controls (identified by red horn button).
left only: Revival, Streetmate, Sm.-R, Arrow-R
’08-17 Tomos threads: Modern TBS controls used on 2008 and later Tomos, made in Taiwan presumably, which are otherwise Domino-compatible, have “metric” threads on the brake light switch holes, M6-0.80. An M6 (6.0 mm) brake switch measures 5.8 to 5.9 mm at the thread tops. An M6-0.80 brake switch will screw into a 1/4″-32 hole, but not visa versa. So 2008-later Tomos controls must have only that 243841 switch.
TBS 2010’s
Tomos TBS brake light switch, big, black long tip
M8-1.25 thread, normally-open-when-installed
243607 $15.0 new (closed when button is released)
Required on Tomos ’08-17 disk brake models, with
TBS controls (identified by red horn button).
right only: Revival, Streetmate, Streetmate-R, Arrow-R
Mini Blade Connectors
029870 $0.70 3mm female, new and shiney
ELO316u $0.20 3mm female, new but corroded slightly
blwire $1.50 3mm female factory-crimped onto wire, new
Unless they are factory-crimped, these need soldering, or they often slip off.
15863 $1.50 rubber cover (boot) for brake light switch
2. Screw-in type (Taiwan mopeds)
1977-85 US-model Taiwan mopeds include 1) Indian, 2) General and clones: AMS, Clinton, Foxi 47, Grycner, Jui Li, Lazer, “Sachs”, 3) Angel and clones: Speed Bird, TYM, 4) others: Condor, Crown, Cuyler, Gemini, Moprix, “Motobecane”, Oakwood, Sprinter, Tsing Hua, Wheel King.
General brake light switch, with wires
M6-0.80 thread, normally-open-when-installed
3150-6272 $23 silver (closed when button is released)
For all 70’s and 80’s Taiwan mopeds, US models.
General brake light switch, with wires
M6-0.80 thread, normally-open-when-installed
5150-6272 $28 black (closed when button is released)
For all 70’s and 80’s Taiwan mopeds, US models.
3. Slide-in type
This type slides in through the lever side of the switch hole. It is secured by a side button that clicks when installed. Push button to release, then slide out towards the lever.
Honda brake light switch, with wires
normally-open-when-installed
35340-GAN-620 $20 new (closed when button is released)
For ’77-83 Honda NC50 Express and others like it.
4. Inline brake switch
Jawa inline brake light switch
70088 $25 normally open
6.5 mm cable holes, solid feel no squish,
For Jawa or any bike with brake cables.
5. Foot Brake type
General foot brake switch, with wires
2150-8894 $28 normally open, goes on engine
For Sachs 505 engine, foot brake version.
Hercules Sachs 505 foot brake switch, original, P00 927 380 4017 000
price $25.0 normally closed, opens when brake is applied
For models with Bosch 0212-124-045 magneto (external ignition ground),
and brake light switches wired in parallel.
Hercules Sachs 505 foot brake switch, original, P00 927 380 4010 000
price none normally open, closes when brake is applied
For models with Bosch 0212-124-040 magneto (internal ignition ground),
and brake light switches wired in series.
The symbolic diagram on the metal plate shows the switch type.
6. Motobecane type
US-model Motobecane mopeds 1974-80 can, and often do, loose spark because of burned out lights, disconnected light wires, disconnected or faulty brake light switches. For more info see Wiring Diagrams and scroll down to M.
.
Motobecane 6V right brake switch, 3 wire
white-to-blue normally open when installed
white-to-red normally closed when installed
53441 $26 with ring nut and rubber washer
For 1974-77 Motobecane 40, 50, 50V (US)
identified by rotary-type headlight switch
Motobecane 6V left brake switch, 3 wire
white-to-red normally open when installed
white-to-white normally closed when installed
53442 $26 with ring nut and rubber washer
For 1974-77 Motobecane 40, 50, 50V (US)
identified by rotary-type headlight switch
Motobecane 12V right brake switch, 2 wire
black-to-yellow normally closed when installed
54136 $26 silver 22.0″, with nut and washer
54166 $34 black 22.0″, with nut and washer
54251 $32 silver 23.3″, longer for 50VLX
For 1978-80 Motobecane 40, 50, 50V (US models)
identified by slide-type headlight switch
Motobecane 12V left brake switch, 2 wire
purple-to-yellow normally closed when installed
54137 $26 silver 22.0″ with nut and washer
54165 $28 black 22.0″ used w/nut and washer
54252 $32 silver 23.3″, longer for 50VLX
For 1978-80 Motobecane 40, 50, 50V (US models)
identified by slide-type headlight switch
B. Info and Wiring
In series with light
“normally open when installed” is also known as “on in paused position”. When the brake lever is squeezed, the switch button is not pressed (paused), and the switch is closed (on). That makes the brake light go on, because the brake switch is wired in series with the light. With two switches, they are wired in parallel with each other, and in series with the light.
In parallel with light
“normally closed when installed” is also known as “off in paused position”. When the brake lever is squeezed, the switch button is not pressed (paused), and the switch is open (off). That makes the brake light go on, because the brake switch is wired in parallel with the light. With two switches, they are wired in series with each other, and in parallel with the light.