Electric Shock in Front Brake Lever

[MikeS]

Hi there,

I have been experiencing an rather strong electric shock in my front brake lever. Not constant but more when the engine is revving. I have a 2008 EC 300 with no electrical mods whatsoever. I can really feel it through my gloves... only started recently and pretty strange. Any suggestions on what wires could deliver that much of a shock? I had a look over things and didn't notice anything. Thanks for your help.

Mike.

 

[GasGas]

Remove your kill switch and clean the handle bar and back of the switch.

 

[Jakobi]

Its the front brake switch (that activates the brake lights). Disconnect it for yout next ride and see if it still happens. Mine has always done this, most noticable with wet gloves! High revs coming into a corner hot sure can make it exciting.. pulling the lever and copping the shock!

 

[Coop]

I wondered why my front brake lever was wrapped in electrical tape when I bought the bike .

 

[Clay]

Check to see if your wife has upped the life insurance policy recently!

 

[MikeS]

Thanks guys lol I don't think my GF has a new life insurance policy out on me but maybe the joke 's on me. I will check this front brake switch you speak of and also will have a look at the kill switch. I am not too mechanically inclined, is there a specific place to disconnect the wire you are talking about?

Thanks,

MIke.

 

[Jakobi]

When you look at the front brake, you'll see where the brake line attaches to the master cylinder. There will be a rubber boot/plug that is over the end and runs a single sleeved cable back behind the headlight. It has a 2 pronged plug. Just undo it. If thats the cause you won't have any more tingles, or any brake light when applying the fronts.

I've read about this happening with several Yamahas due to a faulty switch too, but it happened on mine during wet rides. Last time it was shocking me I unplugged it on the trail and instantly no more. I haven't bothered to replace it, and in all honestly will probably ditch it for a normal banjo bolt next time I bleed the brakes.

 

[MikeS]

Awesome thanks I will try that.

 

[Coop]

Brake switch:

 

[adv rider]

shock

I can't imagine the brake switch causing shock. I would look closer at the kill switch. My Z50r causes a shock if I have both hands on bars and use kill switch. So I stand back and only touch kill switch, and nothing else on bike=no shock.
So when its running see if you get shocked only using brake, without your left hand/body on the bar/touching bike. Or you could just disconnect switch to see if shocking disappears.

 

[Jakobi]

I thought it was the kill switch initially and took measures to ensure it wasn't shorting on the bars. Most definitely the brake switch. Plug it in and zap zap. Unplug and all good.

 

[adv rider]

shock

Oh, thats interesting. I guess both should be checked

 

[GMP]

Leakage from the HV coil wire can be conducted to anything running next to/touching it. After a Kokusan coil is a year or so old it is inevitable that the HV wire bond/seal to the coil body eventually breaks down, letting in moisture and making a good HV conductor to the outside. I got all kinds of weird shocks on my '07, even from wet plastic! On my '03 it reset my ICO during an enduro. Check and redress/seal the HV wire, also a good idea to give it a couple wraps with rubber HV tape.

The primary of the coil operates at approx 200V, thats why it can be so small. GG does not use waterproof connectors here, just cheap spade lugs. Clean, dry, and seal any exposed conductor from the environment with silicone. I go one more and solder the primary wire to the coil, then seal it.

Also, get rid of any unneeded wire on the bike. Less BS to worry about.

No shocks, no problems, one kick starts.