Brake failure...

[Dicko]

Riding to work this morning, I stopped off to collect a letter from the post office and when I switched the bike back on, the dreaded brake failure light started flashing extra fast. Sure enough, no servo power on the brakes...

Switched it off and on a couple of times without any success.

Decided to continue to the office. I switched the bike off and on again at some traffic lights witchout any change.

Then after about 10 minutes of riding, the light went out and sure enough the servo power was back.

Is there anything obvious I can check or is this a "back to the stealers" job?

And of course the worst thing is that my warrenty ran out last week and I didn't get round to paying for the extra year!

Regards,
Richard
PS It's an '06 1200 GSA BTW.

 

[ts2]

Battery Charge?

If I remember (someone will correct me if I'm wrong) the manual says something about the servos not working if the battery gets flat (it specifically mentions having to go for a ride if you've been testing the ABS a lot). From the sounds of it your battery was getting a bit low, so the brakes only started working once you'd put some charge in?

This is only a guess, you'll know best if this is likely, ie did you have trouble starting, or was it a short journey before the post office? Starting a twin takes a lot of power, and so a short stint between two starts might be enough to run an older battery down?

Anyhow I'd keep an eye on it, but wouldn't personally be too worried.


I await the "You'll die, the servos will kill you" replies. Though there may be some better ideas too

TobyS
Fellow Servo owner. and Biochemist (ie take what I say with a pinch of salt).

 

[cookie]

lever clearing the handguard, sidestand switch. usual suspects.

 

[camel_landy]

The obvious one is to check that the brake lever isn't resting against the hand guard.

M

 

[Dicko]

Battery is almost brand new.

I'm fairly confident that the lever was clear of the hand guard, it usually is...

Even if it was one of the above issues, would you expect it clear without switching off and on again?

Richard

 

[Spout]

but wouldn't personally be too worried.


I await the "You'll die, the servos will kill you" replies.

So you think it's all right to ride a bike where the brakes turn on and off for no apparant reason? And having a light to tell you they aint working aint good enough.
Personal choice, but I'd never ride one.

Dicko, dirt/grit in the micro switches can stop the servos working (especially the rear brake switch). Give the switch a good clean.

 

[Dicko]

Solved...

OK I've found the cause.

The centre stand pivot bolt has sheared off on the brake pedal side and sometimes when the stand goes up, it moves the brake pedal slightly.

Is this a common problem?

Richard

 

[Dahoum]

Dont think I've heard that one before Dicko

worth adding to the routine checklist

 

[Panzer Patrol]

Yup, snapped my centre stand pivot bolt, same as yours
2004 bike 30K miles

 

[Wizard]

OK I've found the cause.

The centre stand pivot bolt has sheared off on the brake pedal side and sometimes when the stand goes up, it moves the brake pedal slightly.

Is this a common problem?

Richard

Oh shit, quick, sell the bike before you die!!!!! Shorn centerstand pivot bolts are a known defect which has killed people, even though no-one has any proof about it.

 

[wilbjr21]

Yup, snapped my centre stand pivot bolt, same as yours
2004 bike 30K miles

Bet it didn't slow you down.

 

[Dicko]

Quick update...

BMW declined to pay for the centre stand repair as the £35 cost is below their goodwill threshold. Never knew there was one.

However whilst they were fixing it they noticed a leaking gearbox oil seal and they fixed that and replaced the clutch for free. Which was nice.

They also spotted that the rear disk was below wear limits and swapped that and the pads for about £200 of my money. No interest in considering this as a goodwill gesture.

Finally, they claimed that it was 'very wobbly' when they test rode it and tried to sell me a new front tyre for £170!!! I pointed out that this was approximately twice the going rate and they came back with an offer of £120...

All in all, £414 for a side stand bolt!

Dicko