2003 1150GS BRAKE BLEEDING

[PAULHOMAN]

HELP
I'm really in a pickle here yesterday I started to use a Motad little bleeder device to change front brake fluid I tried to pump out brake fulid using brake lever but I've obviously created an air lock as fluid stopped coming out after a while same think happened with other caliper.
Today I've tried a Mini Vac kit that i got from Hein Gericke. No use cannot suck any more fluid out at all.
I've a feeling it's got something to do with bleed niples can any body help?????

 

[patzx12]

Hi, Is it an ABS bike?
If not it should be easy to bleed.

 

[DaveGSCymro]

Is it servo?

 

[Brian E]

:
I'm really in a pickle here yesterday I started to use a Motad little bleeder device to change front brake fluid I tried to pump out brake fulid using brake lever but I've obviously created an air lock as fluid stopped coming out after a while same think happened with other caliper.
Today I've tried a Mini Vac kit that i got from Hein Gericke. No use cannot suck any more fluid out at all.
I've a feeling it's got something to do with bleed niples can any body help?????

Lever Method. You say you can't get anymore fluid out is there any fluid in the Master cylinder resevoir you have to keep this topped up with the new fluid which then pushes the old fluid out.

Mini Vac Method. as for the Mini Vac kit i'm not familiar with these but presume it's a flexable pipe you fit onto the nipple open the resevoir open the nipple and create a vacuum to suck the fluid out maybe you have all the fluid out your going to get out.

Honestly if your not confident on doing the brakes get a proffesional mechanic to do it you do not want brakes to fail.

 

[patzx12]

There are 2 resivoirs in the ABS unit and they must be kept topped up when you are bleeding.
Some exelent articles at Adventure rider forum.
It sounds complex when you read the articles but it,s OK when you get stuck in to it.

 

[PAULHOMAN]

Hi patz yes it has got ABS lokks like I've got to take tank off and top up ABS unit. Have you tried doing it ??

 

[PAULHOMAN]

yes it's ABS I've had a look on forums and looks like I've got to get at ABS unit and bleed it from there .

 

[PAULHOMAN]

HA HA fixed it downloaded BMW ABS STSTEMS flushing and bleeding instructions posted on BMW internet riders site I had to loosen tank retainer bolt move back seat as far as possible to rear.Locate ABS unit fill it up with DOT4 I used a large 60ml plastic syringe.
Then I bled out the calipers using A MITYVAC on both sides being careful to keep ABS unit topped up worked a treat.
I'll bleed out the rest of brakes tomorrow now that I've recovered from shock thouht I would have to visit dealer !!!!And they are a rip off here in Ireland.
The smart trick was using the large plastic syringe it's a really neat way of handling the DOT4 no risk of a spill.There is one filler cap for front brakes and one for back brakes and then other bleed points for front brake lever and rear brake lever.

 

[patzx12]

Glad you are sorted.
The guy who wrote the article was very torough 28 pages but easy to follow.
God bless guys like him who take the time to put info like that together.

 

[Steptoe]

HA HA fixed it downloaded BMW ABS STSTEMS flushing and bleeding instructions posted on BMW internet riders site .

As you've now found out, you have servo brakes. These are completely different to usual brakes so need a completely different method of bleeding. Normal ABS braked bikes can be bleed by the usual method, but not servo bikes.

It's not the ABS unit under the tank that you have to fill, it's the servo unit. .
There is no need to use any vacuum pump to extract the fluid, use the brakes own electric servo pump. Easier and quicker and less messy .

 

[PAULHOMAN]

Thanks i think i've figured it out is it i've just got to sort out removing ABS control module it's really stiff on my bke and i'm afraid i might bust it by pulling too hard any tips ??

 

[digga]

HA HA fixed it downloaded BMW ABS STSTEMS flushing and bleeding instructions posted on BMW internet riders site

Can you link to that item?? wouildn't mind a rwead of that my self

 

[PAULHOMAN]

www.ibme.org/r-tech/oilheads
Brake bleeding for r1100 a really useful well written article.
Bit complicated but I'd rather do it myself than get huge bill from dealer.Make sure the tank is nearly empty before you move it back !!!

 

[PAULHOMAN]

sorry www.ibmwr.org/r-tech/oilheads

 

[MikeP]

sorry www.ibmwr.org/r-tech/oilheads

Not certain you have linked the correct article, that one is for 1100 models.

They don't have servo brakes.

Read or re-read Steptoe's post (above).

 

[PAULHOMAN]

yeh i think it's right pictures of everything are the same as my bike if you download load it take off your bike tank and compare pictures.You have a servo system that applies pressure to the brake caliper systems bit complicated but i'm sure it's right