Install the brake light switch

Before I delivered the bike to Paul S. to check the electrical I installed the rear brake switch. Remember I have a non-batt Rally 180 style brake switch, which is stock for my wife's bike.

I am not sure why, but it was a major pain the butt to find this exact switch with a grey gasket. Thx to Max at ScooterWest I have it.


The first thing you want to do is cut off the soldered tips of the wires. Those are there to preserve and protect the wires. If the wires can be crimped into place or if they connectors do not bend to pliers you can solder like I did.


Soldering in and of itself is an art. I am not great, but decent. Another hobby of mine is electric remote control airplanes so I have gotten to fluent when it comes to soldering. Before you tackle it yourself for the first time Google how to. It's a quick and easy read.

A few hints:
- you want the solder to look like a Hershey Kiss in shape.
- the less you can use the better.
- after you are done always cover the entire tip of the solder gun in solder and use a wet rag to wipe excess. Then put away.

Note: after I dropped the bike off at Paul S.'s I realized that I wired the tail light electrical wrong. I put the blue/black together and left the yellow alone. See past post. The black should have been left solo and the blue/yellow belong together. Furthermore I need to tighten the rear brake cable so the brake applies pressure to the brake switch.

P.S. - Sad news . . . Lisa and I are disappointed that the Vespa most likely will not be unveiled at AmeriVespa next weekend. We'll be on our Bajaj Chetaks, which bothers Lisa a bit. I should have started working on it sooner, I just did not have time.

Correct brake switch

Finally figured out the brake switch fiasco. I needed a grey gasket and switch for a non-batt bike. Note the one on the far left is correct. Size and plumbing is different on each of these. Even the part numbers are the same on two.

Rear brake switch

With the help of David at First Kick Scooters, I have come to the realization that my stock rear brake switch was actually one from the Rally 180. It would be in grey with a grey gasket. You can see my stock one pictured here on the right. Note the guts of the stock one. It is in the "open" position, which means when you push the plunger that the connection is formed. SIP pictures their black Rally 180-200 here and you can see the internals are the same as my stock one. So now my big concern is, since I don't use a "Closed" GS/SS180 brake switch, should I have also used a Rally 180 wire loom (if they are different). Anybody know this answer?

Parts ordered

Just ordered the following parts from First Kick Scooters this afternoon. All parts are Piaggio-made or similar quality. I worked with David from First Kick on this and I must say it was one of the best experiences I have had with a scooter shop. He is knowledgeable and fast (I have waited for 1-3 weeks for orders to go out with other shops. David had my stuff out in 2 days). My order went out quick and he responded to me within 24-hours. I will be doing more business with First Kick. If you're frustrated with your shop, call First Kick and ask for David in parts -- you won't be sorry.

(47872) Center Stand Spring

(90541) Sheath for Gear Cables

(82783/174249) Grommet for Brake Switch in Black

(181637) Rear Brake Switch in Black

(113060) Grommet Fuel into Air Box

Total: $50.41 including shipping

Note: The rear brake switch was $23.95 as opposed to the $15 that all the scoot shops sell it for. I asked why . . . this brake switch is Piaggio and the after market ones are not sized correctly and are not truly grey -- they have a funky magenta tinge to them.