When I have my headlights on, my brake light and tail light does not work. When my head light is off my brake light will come using rear hand brake lever, but will not come on using foot brake. What gives?

 

Its probable, that the two issues are unrelated.
Check the bulb...the tail light filiment could be burned out, but the brake filiment is still good.
The back brakes good be out of adjustment, or the switch which is hooked to the foot brake lever has come off.
Just a couple of guesses.

 

HB, First thanks for the response. I understand the tail light fil. But why would the brake light only work when the headlights are off. Bike should not care if your headlights are on or off. As far as the foot pedal goes, I have had to adjust it before. Kind of a cheap set up. I have not torn into the bike yet, I'm just trying to clear out some cobwebs before I start. Kind of like a brain teaser, doesn't make sense till it hits you in the face. Then ya say " Ahhh thats it, now it makes sense".

 

Now i see, said the blind man. I reread the question, and you said they both dont work with the headlight on. But the brake light works with the light off.
Ok , try this, check your battery voltage,and the connections at the battery. They should be corrosion free, and clean , shiney (where the connector touches the battery terminal)and tight. Then check the ground wire, for the tail light assembly.
Im thinking you have a high resistance in the circuit somewhere. It could even be the bulb to holder is a bit corrorded or crusty, or the contacts of the bulb.