Hand brake starting issue.

[Deleted member 1216]

I have a 2017 c650gt with about 8800 miles on it. Recently I tried to start the bike by squeezing the left brake lever and hit the starter. Nothing. (Also saw that brake would not light up either.) So I tried the right brake lever, And the brake light worked, and it started. Sometimes the bike will start when I squeeze the left brake lever, most times it won't. Right brake lever does not have this problem. And yes, the kickstand is up. I am about to sell this bike so I want this to work before I make the sale. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[EvilTwin]

Switch not making contact on the left side? Can you play with the wires going into the brake or see if moving the wires allows them to come on? Just trying to determine if it is a loose connection or an actual break in the circut.

 

[Deleted member 1216]

Not sure where the switch is, or is it part of the plunger for the brake? Sometimes it works, other times not. I did take it to the dealer, service writer went out to move the bike and it started for him 5 times. So stupidly, I took it home and shut it off, tried to start it again and no start. Seems to me that they didn't want to work on it. It's GOT to be a loose connection, just don't have a clue as to how to get to the wires.

 

[EvilTwin]

I looked at my bike and looked online, but its hard to see what the part looks like. BMW tends to use the same parts on many different models and I saw some that looked like a fairly standard microswitch with leads coming off. My guess would be that you would have to remove the plastic cover on the handlebar and then the switch is probably on the bottom of the brake cylinder. From your description, it is an intermittent connection for sure.

Somebody with a service manual can chime in with some screenshots of the part and how to get to it. I have yet to buy a service manual, one of these days when I need it.

 

[EvilTwin]

Finally found the diagram. It's part number 8. MSRP is 81 bucks. Ouch. You would have to take the handlebar cover off to access it.

MICROSWITCH FOR HANDBRAKE LEVER
61318530971

 

[fluufy]

It's the wiring loom rubbing on the steering hub. Happened to mine. If you turn to the left it might start.

It's a known issue, my dealer fixed this for free. Note the brake light may not work when riding straight ahead and only using back brake so this is a safety issue, should be a recall I think.

 

[Deleted member 1216]

It's the wiring loom rubbing on the steering hub. Happened to mine. If you turn to the left it might start.

It's a known issue, my dealer fixed this for free. Note the brake light may not work when riding straight ahead and only using back brake so this is a safety issue, should be a recall I think.

When did this happen to your bike?
Is this particular problem still on the list of recalls for BMW motorcycles? If it is, I will look it up and notify my BMW dealer. Then I could get this pesky problem fixed for free. Thank you so much!!!

 

[Greg goes wild]

There has been a recall on the 2016 model c 650 that i bought and i did get the letter from the seller that was
dated in 2019. Has anyone had the front brake hose recall done on it? My Honda dealer will get the parts for
the recall n it will NOT cost me a dime.. IF that issue on the MICROSWITCH FOR HAND BRAKE lever should
have a recall on it IF that is a major problem n known issue. So why hasn't BMW put a recall on that part as well?

 

[Delray]

"Has anyone had the front brake hose recall done on it?"

Had it done on my 2017 and have an appointment next week for my current 2013. Last time I dropped the bike off and waited. Two hours later I was riding home.

My understanding is if you turn the handlebars hard left to the lock position, the brake hose gets rubbed, and eventually can weaken. The fix is to install a protective sleeve on the hose.

 

[Deleted member 1216]

Update from my original post from May 15th: Took scooter to the original dealer that I bought the bike from and it was confirmed that the wiring harness had been rubbing up against the center steering post. A few wires were frayed and one was broken. At a rate of $164 an hr. for 2 hours of work + tax and shop charge, $379.70

 

[mjnorris]

Damn, that’s a higher rate than my dealer in Oklahoma.

 

[Greg goes wild]

I had the recall done on my C650 GT last Wed. and it was in the shop for 4 hrs. There was another person
ahead of me at Wild West Motoplex . So far everything is good on the recall i did not have to pay a dime.
But the dealer would have charged $110 an hr.. I do not know how they could get away with the $164 an hr.
that is a rip off OUCH.

 

[Deleted member 1216]

The service writer checked to see if there was a recall on it and he did not find anything of the sort. I will assume that if he did run across a recall for the bike I would assume that the dealership would pay for the repairs, however they did not.

 

[Deleted member 1216]

Regardless of what it cost, it is fixed now. Now I will be able to sell it and move on to something else that's a little bit bigger, little bit faster, and a little bit more enjoyable off road. Just have to save up a bit more cash for this expensive hobby.

 

[Greg goes wild]

The service writer checked to see if there was a recall on it and he did not find anything of the sort. I will assume that if he did run across a recall for the bike I would assume that the dealership would pay for the repairs, however they did not.

What yr. is your bike? Mine is a 2016 and the original owner did not get that recall done on it. So when i bought
the bike about 2 months ago. The original owner gave me the paper work on that recall. So i had to
have it done cuz i did not want the left brake losing it's fluids while i was riding it The recall came out in 2019.
Do a search on the BMW front left brake hose recall.

 

[Deleted member 1216]

What yr. is your bike? Mine is a 2016 and the original owner did not get that recall done on it. So when i bought
the bike about 2 months ago. The original owner gave me the paper work on that recall. So i had to
have it done cuz i did not want the left brake losing it's fluids while i was riding it The recall came out in 2019.
Do a search on the BMW front left brake hose recall.

2017

 

[Greg goes wild]

2017

I would call a BMW dealer or another dealer that works on BMW. My Honda dealer sells & works on
BMWS. Look online as well to see if you have a recall on your 17 model

 

[JBChucktown]

You can go the NTSB website and enter your vin number and get any recalls listed for your car, truck or motorcycle.

 

[Greg goes wild]

You can go the NTSB website and enter your vin number and get any recalls listed for your car, truck or motorcycle.

Speaking of which i did get a BMW recall notice in my name. I had it done already but BMW i guess did
not know that i bought the bike from someone else. To ALL NEW BMW C 650 GT owners you should ask
your dealer about any recalls. This recall is VERY IMPORTANT The left brake hose is defective and should
be replaced ASAP. I just got notice last wk i called my Honda dealer to verify and they said i was all
good. From 2013 to 2019 are the recalls are on Brake hose may get pinched on hard left turns or locking
your bike up

 

[Greg goes wild]

"Has anyone had the front brake hose recall done on it?"

Had it done on my 2017 and have an appointment next week for my current 2013. Last time I dropped the bike off and waited. Two hours later I was riding home.

My understanding is if you turn the handlebars hard left to the lock position, the brake hose gets rubbed, and eventually can weaken. The fix is to install a protective sleeve on the hose.

They just replaced the brake hose and new fluid in it