Brake fluid change

[Rbcmmn]

I have a 1200GSA. 2009
I am unaware that the brake fluid has ever been changed and now 10 years old. It needs new pads so thought I would change the brake fluid. I’ve read the volumes of stuff written about this and the complexities of ABS and having a HEX GS911 etc etc.

Can anyone advise? Is it best to go to a dealer and have the work done?

Cheers
Rob
Tyne and Wear

 

[Mistacat]

On an 09 1200GSA it is a case of push the piston back in the calipers and fit wooden blocks in place of the pads.
remove the fluid from the master cylinders ,refil with fresh fluid and bleed plenty of fluid the system.
it is best to use a GS911 as you can operate all of the ABS module valves in turn and do a bleed test to remove air from the module.

 

[NicD]

The determining factor is probably more your own familiarity with the process. If you havent' done it before, it might be ebst first time to get a friend who is familiar with it to help you. The reason is that brakes are not something to mess up - the downsid eis potentially significant, so you can't afford errors.

That said, on an 09 is it exceedingly easy. You are best off changing the pads first, then refit the calipers and bleed new fluid through. You have to make sure you get no air in the system from the reservoir end and that you don't overtighten the bleed nipples - set them to the correct torque. Also make sure to clean around the bleed nipples carefully with brake clean, and in the top of the nipple (i blow some air in). brake fluid in there will seep out and it may look like a weep the following day.

Dealer is a fall back option but downside is it doesn't get you closer to being able to do the job yourself

 

[Steptoe]

Don’t over think it, very simple job, no need for any specialist equipment. You have the very simple later abs system, not the earlier “pain in the arse to bleed” servo/abs. Fit new pads, bleed in the usual way.

 

[Rbcmmn]

Thankyou

Don’t over think it, very simple job, no need for any specialist equipment. You have the very simple later abs system, not the earlier “pain in the arse to bleed” servo/abs. Fit new pads, bleed in the usual way.

Thankyou to everyone that replied. Really appreciate it. I have bled lots of brAkes on previous bikes and Beemers. Was only worried about all the stuff I’ve read about the ABS. I’ll crack on with it as I’m certain 10 years is far too long not to have had Barack fluid replaced (even though the6 seem to work totally fine )

Thanks everyone

Rob

 

[Mistacat]

As stated it is simple and just bleed through as a normal system, my reason for mentioning the GS911 bleed test is that a friend and competent mechanic had recently changed his fluid but the lever did not feel right ( spongy) but the brakes worked.
We performed the GS911 bleed test and a small amount of air came out of the abs unit.
He was surprised that such a small amount of air should make such a difference.
So bleed normal and if not totally happy perform the bleed test.

 

[Rbcmmn]

Thanks for the help. Do you think the GS911 is worth the £300 outlay

 

[NicD]

if you own bike long term, yes. ebay for £200 ish and you can resell for similar price in future

 

[botus]

I have a 1200GSA. 2009
I am unaware that the brake fluid has ever been changed and now 10 years old. It needs new pads so thought I would change the brake fluid. I’ve read the volumes of stuff written about this and the complexities of ABS and having a HEX GS911 etc etc.

Can anyone advise? Is it best to go to a dealer and have the work done?

If you have ABS I would NOT recco going near a dealer unless you trust them implicitly ... they are very sneaky - many pretend not changing the brake fluid is bad for the ABS system which is utter rubbish (unless totally full of water and its rusted itself to bits - which doesn't happen) All ABS failures are exclusively on components that have nothing to do with the brake fluid and were designed in failures to break open your wallet.

What the dealerships can do is force the pump to run and kill off the unit with "the normal brush failure". they like to do this where they can see from service records you didn't pay them 100 quid a year to change the brake fluid