I had exactly the same problem recently, and tracked it down to a crappy
spade connection to the fuse box (#8 on the '85).  I had to drop the box
and clean it up, but it's been fine since.

On 10/11/2014 7:43 AM, Jim Felder wrote:
> Was apprised yesterday that neither of my brake likes are working. Don't
> know how long the problem has been going on.
>
> I have 12 between the center (crosswise) terminal on the connectors to the
> brake sensors and the pair (vertical) to either side.
>
> I have no 12v at the connector in the lamp housings.
>
> Backup light not working either.
>
> Since neither are working, it could of course be the switches on the MC,
> but they are both relatively new and, in the past when one has failed, it
> has failed closed so that my brake lights don't go off.
>
> ??
>
> Jim
>

toodle pip,
--
        Dug Smith         | Terry Pratchett: It's almost
(mailto:dug@dugbert.com) | impossible to ride a rock and roll
(http://www.dugbert.com) | motorbike and stay on for three verses.