If you did not open the bleeder valve or loosen a line during the pad replacement (there was no need to open the system) there is no need to bleed the system. If you did open the system and allow air in, it will be necessary to bleed the rear brakes. It is not a car so, the pump it up, hold it and pop the bleeder valve method user in automotive repair will only create more problems than it solves.

 

I don't understand why the automotive method won't work. I have used this method and it has worked for me. What am I missing here?

 

I did open the rear brake resevior during pad replacement

 

opening the reservoir should not require bleeding, make sure you did not knock a wire off of the rear brake light switch while in the area .

 

Just replacing the pads couldn't have anything to do with your brake light working. Use a wire or tie wrap, whatever to depress your brake lever. Remove brake light lens and bulb, then using a volt ohm meter check for voltage. I would suspect a fuse or ground issue.

 

Before going crazy...check the fuse/put a new bulb in it.

 

First, does it work from the hand control?

If not, then check the bulb, fuse, ground, wiring.

If yes, check the rear brake switch, then the wiring.

 

Al, a while back i posted a detailed how to and why as to a bleeding method for motorcycles. I have no desire to rewrite it. On some bikes the automotive method works fine, on most it doesn't.

 

+1 on checking if the brake light works when using the front brake.
If the brake light won't work when using the rear brake or front brake then there is other problems.
Check the bulb and fuse and if they are good check the fuse box.
I had the brake light stop working on my 08 FLTR and the problem was in the fuse box, the contacts in the fuse box was not making contact with the fuse prongs and all I needed to do was bend the contacts in the fuse box back down so they made contact with the fuse prongs.
It did take me a little time to troubleshoot and find this problem.

 

And if you didn't have the brighter bulb this is a good time to upgrade.

 

Thank you all for writing in . After further tracing the wring on the break switch I found one of wires had come out of the connector to the switch.
Spliced on a new terminal connector and brake light worked.

Thanks again for your input.

 

Thanks for the update, glad you got it worked out.