Brakelight conversions

[sheaff400ex]

I would like to install brake light on my 400ex. I was wondering where i can get banjo bolts and the nessceary parts needed to install this. Is it possible to put a banjo bolt on the front brakes too. If anybody has installed one or knows a site where it is explained and help would be greatly appreciated.

[Leo]

I'll run a search of the old forums, we had a good discussion on adding a brake light, including the p/n's of a honda OEM switch that would fit the front master cylinder....

Leo

[Leo]

couldn't find it :(

If I remember right, the switch from the clutch perch will bolt up to the front master cylinder.. but I can't remember for sure.

Leo

[sheaff400ex]

Leo, Thanks for trying, you are the first person to respond to one of my replies. By the way great site!

[JOEX]

Go here:
http://www.fourstrokesonly.com/HBLPressureSwitch.html

I think its part #44-0077 (don't quote me on that though!). You need two of them, one for the front and one for the rear.

Joe

[sheaff400ex]

Thanks alot Joe I appreciate your input!

[badass400ex]

to do this you would hafe to use a duel element bulb right? does anyone know what #bulb that would be?

[exTAZe400]

Here is the address on my webpage that has this info if you are interested.

http://micropro2.home.mindspring.com/page4.html
(wow my page really needs updated. LOL)

You can use the switch from the clutch perch assy for the front brake pull if you have removed the e-brake or get that switch from service honda.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Greg.

[Gecko]

Originally posted by JOEX
Go here:
http://www.fourstrokesonly.com/HBLPressureSwitch.html

I think its part #44-0077 (don't quote me on that though!). You need two of them, one for the front and one for the rear.

Joe


I want to add a brake light also. Does anyone know for sure if this is the right part number? Has anyone actually installed one of these switches?

well I just went outside and tried the neutral safety switch from the clutch perch, it fits on the front brake fine, it was originally designed this way it appears becaue the switch is a perfect fit.

After some digging thru old parts and boxes I founfd a motorcycle switch for the rear, a light socket to mount in the lens and will attempt to do this tomorrow and post some pics.

while the banjo switches are neat I guess, I dont want to have to spend money on things like that plus have to mess with brake fluid and possibly bleeding them. the neutral switch used on the front is a natural, I cannot see any reason to have to use the banjo unit there.

well I got it done, I will take pics tomorrow. it turned out good.
sorry for the long post but I want to help any out there that may want to do this.

Wiring:
Thanks to exTAZe400 for the info, I did change the wiring from the way you have on your site because since I replaced the original bulb and socket the ground was common between the 2 filaments and had to feed power to both brake switches and run it back to the brake light. and I naturally just hooked up power and ground to the original taillight wire. I tapped power from the black/white(actually it looks black/silver) wire at the regulator.
Light:
I used a Chevrolet tailight socket with a dual filament bulb instead of just adding a second bulb and socket. I cut the light housing out to fit the chevy socket.
Rear Switch:
Used a motorcylcle switch in the rear mounted on a handmade bracket by the rear master cyl. reservoir, ran a stiff wire thru a piece of rubber hose to keep it from rubbing the frame paint has bad, ran the wire thru the brake lever return spring and hooked it to the same place as the spring.
Front Switch:
I used the neutral safety switch removed from the clutch perch on the front brake, it bolts right on,(M4 x .70 pitch bolt) its actully meant to fit there.
Its kinda like how the 400ex clutch perch has a extra lever/cable slot for a reverse lever like a 300ex, they just borrowed some parts from different models.
I bet some model Honda out there has the same front brake lever unit as the 400ex that does have a brake light too.
for some reason Honda decided not to do a brake light on the 400ex but thanks to Honda for leaving the mount, the hole is tapped and everything!

The only thing I had to buy was a .50 stainless metric bolt for the front brake switch, everything else I scavenged from the shop.
not a bad mod for .50!

i have a electric bango bolt from fso that is the correct part #44-0077. works great i have it on my xr 650.

heres the pics,,
http://www.boomspeed.com/kbperf/Frtswitch.JPG
http://www.boomspeed.com/kbperf/rearswitch.JPG
http://www.boomspeed.com/kbperf/taillight2.JPG
http://www.boomspeed.com/kbperf/tailighton.JPG
http://www.boomspeed.com/kbperf/brakeon.JPG

[sheaff400ex]

Thanks alot for all the help, I appreciate it!

[Hotdog]

:o
Hey kbperf, where did you get the turndown snout on your muffler?

[Gecko]

That looks great.

Thanks for your help and the pics!

Originally posted by Hotdog
:o
Hey kbperf, where did you get the turndown snout on your muffler?

I made it. I took my endcap off and removed the spark aresstor, that made no improvement so I got to looking and saw the end cap is a small muffler in itself so I cut out all of the packing and the center which left a big hole in the cap. WAY too loud for me and I remembered how much quieter my race car was after adding simple turndowns so I bent a piece of thinwall and welded it in for a turndown. now its not as loud and still has the pep and improved response from opening up the endcap. it has a nice mellow sound to it now.

[JabberJaw]

Sorry I missed your thread! I would have been happy to call a music store and check on those Banjo bolts for you :-)

[shamisc]

Hey KbPerf, could you post a wiring diagram on this site so I can put a brake light on mine. I'm a little confused as to how to wire these swithes up. thanks, it looks like it turned out great !

I was wondering if you could get a little more in depth on the rear brake switch. I've go no problem with the front, but the back has got me wondering. thanks

[PsychoDave]

good info!!!!!

[VegasEx'r]

KBperf, thanks for the info & pics, I think I will give this a try tonight.

[MADHATTER]

does anybody know if you can get aftermarket headlight bulbs that are a bright blue, like the ones you can get for cars?

For your headlights you need to get H3 foglamp bulbs. In JC Whitney i've seen them in many different colors, from like the ice blue to the plasma white. The lowest i could find is a 55 watt. Thats 20 watts over the stock, so you could be draining your battery faster. thats one thing to consider.

[Sportrax 400EX]

Great info guys, I'll have to check this out.

D.

[sheaff400ex]

Thanks for all the great replys!