Electric Start & Rear Brake Lever

[kculp]

I've tried searching the forum here, but don't see anyone complaining about this.

We have a new 150 cc 2009 Italia. There's good electric start when you press the front brake lever, but not the back - no go. It is a bit of a pain, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. We just took it in for a 500 mile check and when I complained all they did was charge the battery.

I don't like one handed electric start, which basically means you have to stretch your grip to hold the front brake down and press the ignition button. The dealer didn't seemed to concerned that the rear brake was unreliable in starting. BRAKES ARE FINE, the rear was a little "mushy" so I adjusted it - thought the tighter "bite" would trigger the electric start - it doesn't. IS this common? Do you all start your scoot with the front brake applied all the time???? Thanks.

[charlie55]

I believe that the the brake handle switch that controls the starter safety circuit also controls the brake light. When you squeeze the rear brake lever, does your brake light come on?

[gr8dog]

I just had the same problem this past week. My dealer told me to adjust the rear brake. There is an adjustment near the rear tire, above the transmission. It is a bolt, about 1/2 inch across, I turned it to adjust my mushy rear brake and it also fixed the starting problem.

[jfrost2]

Could be possible your brake cable is too lose and isnt even making contact at all. Like others have said, does the brake light come on? If not, you could try tightening the rear brake in just a minute or two and testing.

[michelle_7728]

Great picture!

I had someone show me where to tighten up my rear brake a few months ago...I bought my Buddy and didn't like how the adjustment was.

Interesting to hear that it could also affect starting, but I guess that makes sense.

[jmazza]

Great picture!

I had someone show me where to tighten up my rear brake a few months ago...I bought my Buddy and didn't like how the adjustment was.

Interesting to hear that it could also affect starting, but I guess that makes sense.

I might be wrong on this but I'm not sure tightening the cable will affect starting.

As I understand it there is a switch in each lever that activates the brake light as said above and it's that switch that allows the starter to work as well. Tightening the cable makes the brake engage sooner (and therefore harder at the same amount of pull on the lever) but doesn't change where the switch engages.

I have my rear brake set to be pretty strong but I still have to pull it harder to get the light to come on (and engage the starter).

[gr8dog]

I might be wrong on this but I'm not sure tightening the cable will affect starting.

It does affect starting. That's how I fixed mine last week.

[jfrost2]

If it isnt making enough contact, it wont be recognized by the starter. The lever is moving, but not effecting the cable in any way.

[jmazza]

I might be wrong on this but I'm not sure tightening the cable will affect starting.

It does affect starting. That's how I fixed mine last week.

Good to know- I missed your post. Like I said, mine is still harder to get that switch engaged even though my rear brake is set pretty tight. I always try to remember that when I'm flashing my brake lights. The front brake just takes a touch but the rear lever takes a good squeeze!

[kculp]

Just for context, I am the original poster and you all have been so responsive, thought I would need to wait for responses - thank you!!!

Yes, I knew about how to adjust the brake and where the bolt was. I had done this already. As jmazza wrote, when I did this it did not impact on starting and I did tighten it up. Could gr8dog clarify, you claimed it did help? How tight did you go on the brake? I just took out the "spongy" feel - maybe press it in 1 inch?

Yes, the rear brake light comes on. That was never the problem.

[gr8dog]

I had three problems. Spongy rear brake, brake light not working when I pulled the lever hard, and not starting when I used the rear brake lever. I tightened the rear brake to the point where the tire will lock if I pull the lever all the way, I found that out Friday when avoiding a car that pulled out in front of me. All three problems were fixed by this one action. I imagine it is possible you have a faulty switch, bad connection, or a short associated with the rear brake since you had the same problems I had but the same cure did not work.

Just to be clear, if I was to hold the starter button in first then squeeze the rear brake lever second it would start every time. There seemed to be a small sweet spot where ignition would take place. It was as though, when the brake was spongy, pulling the lever all the way in was going past the point where ignition was allowed but in releasing the brake I passed through the spot where ignition could take place and Buddy started. The brake light seemed to be in sync with the ignition. I hope this helps.