I need to get the switch out to check it out either for cleaning or replacement. It's behind the foot peg bracket and there are a lot of choices in bolt heads to mess with. So I'm asking, what has to come off the bike to get at the switch?
(http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag17/Charliebrm/Forum%20images/IMAG0815_zps1a191b6e.jpg)
I usually remove the forward foot peg and dismount the entire bracket from the frame to gain access to that switch.
Just keep track of the springs and where they attach.
Leon
I took mine off a couple weeks ago to service it. Didn't remove any other parts, just the spring attaching it to the brake pedal, unplug the wires and unthread the switch from the plastic nut. Bit of a tight spot but plenty doable.
Derek
You can remove the rear tire and the switch is easily accessible.
Fred
If you drop the swingarm, remove the rear subframe and pull the airbox, then it's a piece of cake to get to that switch.
Even easier if you just go ahead and remove the engine.
Hooligan
Reminds me of when we used to advise someone to jack up the ashtray and replace the car. The switch bracket was twisted instead of flat and jammed the plastic nut so fingers or trying to pry a 1/4 turn with the edge of a screwdriver wasn't working.
I went with the first option suggested but there were more bolts to remove than reasonable and one of the 2 holding the brake cylinder snapped before I even started putting real pressure on it. That's a story in itself.
I disassembled the switch and polished all the brass bits. It's built like a glorified plastic pen. There are probably garden variety spring switches that would replace it.
At least this procedure allowed me a good look at the master's piston so I scoured off most of the corrosion, applied some grease in the cavity and reseated the rubber boot.
All in all I learned more about the doings inside the motorcycle chassis, cleaned up threads and applied lube or loctite as appropriate and killed a few hours in the sunshine, which is never a bad thing.