Triumphrat

04-05-2005, 06:40 PM

The 2 bulbs in my '02 Speed Triple are on. When I activate my brake levers, there is no change in intensity.

I was able to easily disconnect my front brake lever electrical connection, but there was no change, i.e. the lights remained on and at the same intensity.

I will have to wait until I get home to get the right sttols to make space in order to get access to the rear brake lever's electrical wiring, since the hydraulic brake line is in the way.

Any thoughts? Should there always be only one light on, when the brakes are not engaged?

thanks in advance, P

04-06-2005, 01:37 AM

So after dismantling the bike to get to the brake pedal electrical cable hidden behind the rear brake reservoir, I still have the same problem

I disconnected the electrical wiring to both brake lever/pedal and the lights are still on.

A strange thing that could be the problem, which I will follow up tomorrow, is that the bulbs in my brake light are 1154 6V however the manual states 12V bulbs. The 6V bulbs are specified for the turn signals.

I think the guys may have screwed up when I had the bike serviced last.

-P

Slinky · 04-06-2005, 04:23 AM

I am not quite sure what your brake light problem is, but one thing is for sure. All of the bulbs should be 12 volt, without exception. 6v will work for a while but they will burn out.

Are you sure that the two bulbs that are always on are the brake lights, and not the tail lights? If so then I expect the bulbs may have been fitted the wrong way round.

04-06-2005, 03:07 PM

Thanks Slinky for the advice.

I picked up the new 12V bulbs today and I'll test it out tonight. I hope that's all that I need to do.

The service shop mentioned that only 1 light should be one normally, and both light up under braking. He didn't seem too confident though. I think it's because his shop primarily service non-Triumphs.

-P

Slinky · 04-06-2005, 03:19 PM

I am assuming the Speed Triple uses normal combined stop/tail bulbs..

I think what the service guy was saying is that each bulb has two filaments, one would be lit normally and the other would come on with the brakes.

Timtiger · 04-06-2005, 06:11 PM

The way these things work is that the brake light bulb has 2 filaments. The bulb is a bayonet type fitting (shove in and twist 1/4 turn to lock in). The brake light has stepped pins ie one is lower than the other and in theory can only be fitted in one way. There are 2 contacts on the bulb base with one for each filament. In use, when the headlights are on a low wattage filament comes on. When the brakes are applied, the higher wattage (brighter) filament comes on.

A few pointers.
- You can buy a single filament bulb of the same size and fit it to the bulb holder and you will see what you describe.
- A proper bulb could be poorly fitted and cause your problems.
I would look at this before looking further at electrics. It is strange and I can see no reason why a mechanic would touch a bulb during a service unless it has blown.

04-06-2005, 06:18 PM

thanks timtiger,
when i got my tires replaced last, one of the service guys mentioned a blown bulb, so i figured they could handle it.

i can't wait to leave the office and test out the correct bulbs.
-p

Hinckley · 04-06-2005, 08:19 PM

The bulb you are looking for is a 1157. Replace what you have with the 1157 bulb and your problem should go away. :wink:

04-07-2005, 01:15 AM

Thanks to everyone for your quick and helpful advice.

The bulbs worked and I'll be on the road again tomorrow!

Thankfully, I didn't have a serious electrical mess to deal with.

-P