Changing Brake Fluid

[MrTScot]

Hi All,

Quick query on changing the brake fluid on the R1100GS. As the bike has got ABS does that mean the fluid has to be changed at a BMW dealer/bike shop? I remember reading something somewhere that said bikes with ABS only someone who knows about ABS should do anything with them.

Thoughts?

Cheers

 

[sockpuppet]

They were probably refering to servo brakes which the 1100 doesn't have.

 

[Stewart H]

There are additional bleed nipples on top of the ABS units under the tank, if you bleed the system normally from top to bottom you might not encounter problems, use of a mityvac or syringes to bleed the system are very handy.
It certainly is do-able with care.
Stewart

 

[DrFarkoff]

front fluid goes in at master cylinder and out at front callipers

BUT don't get any air into the master cylinder or you'll have to bleed it at the ABS block under the tank (just keep the fluid levels up and don't let them get down so far that the base of the master cylinder is exposed!)

Rear brake same again fluid in at the reservoir on the right rear and out at the calliper (same again careful with letting fluid run low)

just pump thru fresh fluid (sometimes it helps speed things up if you suck out the old with a syringe from the reservoirs)

Now here's the bad point you may have a wee weep at the front master cylinder already so it's worth cleaning back and seeing if you have a build up of "crystals"

Or you could ignore it and just keep an eye out for fluid leaks at the handlebar?
My experience is if there is a lot of clear /semi opaque crystals around the MC then when you start pumping half a litre of fresh fluid thru you end up disturbing everything and a leak develops.

My personal preference is to strip the MC and clean it well with Boiling water to remove the crystal build up and to blow it dry and rebuild with rubber grease providing the seal edges were sharp looking and not rounded. And make sure the wee tiny hole in the front MC which actually just looks like a partial drilling is clear (better brakes!)

If you're in any doubt there is a replacement piston kit available and also the wealth of knowledge on here where you can ask almost any question wi out gettin the pish taken??

Have fun!

 

[MrTScot]

Fantastic, thanks for all the replies I know what I'll be doing this weekend

 

[hank]

Servo ABS brake bleed instructions from the R1150R forum, ignore the first section about tank removal. http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18725

Hank.