Servo Assisted Brakes on R1150's

[sterob]

I am sort of at the Crossroads.....
My 02 R1150RS has ABS faults up after it had been sitting for many months.
I am in the middle of bleeding the brakes, have mechanical , electrical skills a spare 'not working' modulator and a GS-911 to display error codes, etc..
I am not in a position to fit a NEW modulator if that is what it takes to fix the fault. ( I can afford it but wouldn't give BMW the pleasure....)
I have read about persons not persisting with the servo assisted brakes and just removing it altogether. That's an option. I would mind loosing the whine every time I squeeze the brake leaver and I here the finger force increase is not huge, although I would not be happy loosing ABS and the integrated brakes.

I'm just wondering what peoples thoughts were, in regards to how much they would persist in trying to fix the fault, before giving up and ripping it all out and going 'commando, as it were.....

The servos appear to operate, I have learn't about the 'secret filters' and cleaned them ( had to make a 'special' socket to do that )so for all I know, a bleed with new oil might just fix it........

A subjective question, I know but I 'm interested in others experiences. I don't want to waste energy on fixing if a lobotoby gives a pleasant ( and simpler ) result.....

Steve.

[Steve in Golden]

I've heard really good things about a company called "Module Master" - they are supposed to be the go-to guys for BMW ABS problems and can rebuild ABS pumps at very reasonable prices. Lots of info about this and other ABS issues on Advrider.

Module Master Rebuilds BMW ABS Pump Modules

http://www.modulemaster.com/

[Major Softie]

I know the R1100 ABS will fault from the battery not providing high enough voltage. Mine will fault out WAY before the battery is low enough to cause starting problems. So, on a bike that's been sitting, I wouldn't assume it was really a brake problem until you've made certain it's not a voltage issue.

[sterob]

I've heard really good things about a company called "Module Master" - they are supposed to be the go-to guys for BMW ABS problems and can rebuild ABS pumps at very reasonable prices. Lots of info about this and other ABS issues on Advrider.

Module Master Rebuilds BMW ABS Pump Modules

http://www.modulemaster.com/

Thanks Steve, I had come across these guys. Postage would be a bummer, but its all relative, ain't it.
I'll keep them in mind.
I'm hoping I can clear the fault(s)
I might drop them an email and get some background info from them.

[sterob]

I know the R1100 ABS will fault from the battery not providing high enough voltage. Mine will fault out WAY before the battery is low enough to cause starting problems. So, on a bike that's been sitting, I wouldn't assume it was really a brake problem until you've made certain it's not a voltage issue.

Yeah, have seen this mentioned.
I forgot to say I had a new Odyssey battery in it. ( First thing I did as it had been sitting for so long. )
Are 1150's affected by that problem as well? I guess so. I can't imagine BMW admitting there was a problem and fixing it...lol


As a side story, I bought a R1100RS back in 2000 and occasionally the ABS would fail to initialize....I was told 'they all do that....low battery voltage. etc....)
I did some basic checks and found the front sensor was 0.1mm out of spec. I removed the two screws, removed a 0.1mm shim, replaced the two screws..problem fixed. No one had bothered to check the easy things first.

Steve

[Major Softie]

I know the R1100 ABS will fault from the battery not providing high enough voltage. Mine will fault out WAY before the battery is low enough to cause starting problems. So, on a bike that's been sitting, I wouldn't assume it was really a brake problem until you've made certain it's not a voltage issue.

Yeah, have seen this mentioned.
I forgot to say I had a new Odyssey battery in it. ( First thing I did as it had been sitting for so long. )
Are 1150's affected by that problem as well? I guess so. I can't imagine BMW admitting there was a problem and fixing it...lol


As a side story, I bought a R1100RS back in 2000 and occasionally the ABS would fail to initialize....I was told 'they all do that....low battery voltage. etc....)
I did some basic checks and found the front sensor was 0.1mm out of spec. I removed the two screws, removed a 0.1mm shim, replaced the two screws..problem fixed. No one had bothered to check the easy things first.

Steve

No, I'm not sure it's an 1150 problem, I just know it's an 1100 problem, so I figured there was a possibility that it affected the 1150 as well (for exactly the reasons you suggest).

[painter.724]

Quite a few folks on the BMWSportTouring forum have removed the servo and gone to manual front and rear brakeing. There are good write ups on that procedure if you decide to go that route

[sterob]

OK, Thanks.
I'll see how I go and will do that if it all gets too hard.

Steve

[sterob]

I've just finished bleeding the brakes on the bike, after making wooden blocks to pack the calipers and a filling funnel, and it appears the ABS fault have cleared. THE GS-911 has been a good investment.
Everything seems to be working fine, although I have to yet go for a test ride ( have to put all the bits back on first....) but its looking good.
If the modulator does fail in the future, I think I will be leaning towards removing it altogether and go without ABS.
Steve

[Major Softie]

Yay!

I would advise people to avoid the linked brake system, as it was short-lived and never found very satisfactory by owners. That said, if I had one, I'd really hate having to give up ABS just to lose the linked brake system.