Getting rid of ABS

[mrfandangle]

Having nightmare bleeding abs system on my 2000 1150. Have been thinking about stripping all the abs gubbins out over this winter anyhow. What can of worms am i gonna open by ripping it all out and going to conventional brake system??? I will/would be buying the Goodridge non abs brake line kit. Getting fed up with having spongy brake lever! Any input greatfully received.

 

[sockpuppet]

As its a non servo bike I don't think you should have too many problems. Might be easier to beeld the system properly though?

 

[Stewart H]

Just tie the lever back to the bar overnight, preferably with the bike on the sidestand and the steering turned to the left, mine took a couple of nights, I would not remove the ABS merely because its difficult to bleed, a couple of plastic syringes and a little time taken should get all of the air out.
Stewart

 

[mrfandangle]

Hi guys thank you for replies. I have been using a Mityvac to bleed them and left the lever tied back over night several times but to no avail. Been going on now for a good few weeks/months/years/lifetimes!!!!!!!! Still cant get it sorted out! Plus the Goodridge for the non abs is half the price!!

 

[Stewart H]

Can you feel the rubber hoses pulsing when you squeeze the lever? it could be them knackered, I used hoses from Melvins, I believe HEL ones come out a bit less than goodridge, I use a syringe full of fluid and bleed them from the caliper upwards, I get some air out of the ABS units under the tank too.
Stewart

 

[mrfandangle]

Can you feel the rubber hoses pulsing when you squeeze the lever? it could be them knackered, I used hoses from Melvins, I believe HEL ones come out a bit less than goodridge, I use a syringe full of fluid and bleed them from the caliper upwards, I get some air out of the ABS units under the tank too.
Stewart

hi mate, have even clamped off the individual hoses at the calipers but no difference. Have used the Mityvac at the abs unit and still no improvement. Have passed almost a litre of brake fluid through the system now. Totally stuck!!! Hence wanting to get rid of abs. Have read nearly everything on the site and others about this problem. Lever still pumps up which is indicative of air in the system but dont know where!!!! Should i just keep going at it???

 

[Stewart H]

There is a post somewhere where the guy pushes the caliper pistons all the way back into their bores and keeps them in there with blocks of wood, apparently to prevent air getting trapped in the calipers I would presevere though, removing the ABS would devalue the bike, and theres always the possibility that you could end up with spongy brakes afterwards too, the system is originally filled from the bottom upwards, and I think that is why I have had pretty good success pushing fluid in via the bleed nipple, I can actually see tiny bubbles popping out of the little port in the master cylinder as it fills, are you sure the master cylinder is okay? It might be worth substituting another just to try. Keep trying, you will get there, and the inside of your brakes will be spotless
Stewart

 

[MattW]

The other option is to bite the bullet and take it to an independent specialist (or even a dealership) and get them to have a go at it. You're probably too far from London to pay Steptoe a visit (?) but there might be someone nearer to you?

I'd do this before ripping out a perfectly functional (albeit tricky to bleed) ABS system.

Have you checked the master cylinder internals?

 

[mrfandangle]

Again thank you very much for the replys. Once its pumped up the lever holds a steady pressure without any leakage as it were, so i dont think its the master cylinder. Have pushed the pistons back in the calipers etc. Will have a go at pushing the fluid through from the calipers as suggested and see if this makes any difference. Will keep you posted! Thank you!

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Just tie the lever back to the bar overnight, preferably with the bike on the sidestand and the steering turned to the left, mine took a couple of nights, I would not remove the ABS merely because its difficult to bleed, a couple of plastic syringes and a little time taken should get all of the air out.
Stewart

+1 chemist is worth a visit. expecially a big one that carries a limited amount of hospital equipment.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Air in brakes

Just for interests sake:
How did the air get into the system in the first place?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Bobble of this parish ripped his ABS out last year because the cost of a new ABS unit was ridiculous. PM him and he may tell you how easy/hard is was.

I do know the brakes are spot on on his bike now

 

[mrfandangle]

Just for interests sake:
How did the air get into the system in the first place?

Had a dealer work on the bike a while back now, it was only to replace a fork seal,after a catalogue of cock ups with previous problems after they honoured the warrenty, when I got it back and the brakes didnt feel quite right i was so p@?*^d of with them by then I just never went back. Its my first BMW so if only I knew then the problems I have now..................

 

[bsa250]

ABS removal

Hi Mrfandangle,

Check out the link it will fully explain how to junk your ABS !

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138600&highlight=delpel



Best regards Mack.....

 

[bsa250]

ABS Removal

Hi Mrfandangle,

I should of said I did it my self due to Delpel & Gordon's info

Just follow what they did, brakes are perfect with end result.


Best regards Mack....

 

[motobiker]

Had my mechanic at my house today to replace the (29 month old) brake fluid on my ABS bike. fit a new alternator belt. rip out the side stand switch gubbins and to save me getting my hands dirty - I asked him to change the gear box oil too (which was due)

all that took him two hours (£60)

I asked him about the brakes. "do I need to tie back the lever over night"

"no" was the answer.. they're fine.

and they are... 'more than fine infact' went for a 40 mile run after and the brakes were absolutely needle sharp (as much as bmw can do 'needle sharp' - i guess)


I would suggest you find someone competent to do the job and watch them. If my mechanic can do this particular task (in less than an hour) with no need to 'tie back the lever' then why can't anyone? only 'special' tool he used was a large syringe.

I won't because I'm too nervous about the task.. I can change pads - but changing fluid I leave to a 'tech' - and don't mind paying either.

 

[mrfandangle]

Hi Mrfandangle,

I should of said I did it my self due to Delpel & Gordon's info

Just follow what they did, brakes are perfect with end result.


Best regards Mack....

Hi Mack, thank you very much for this link. Just had a quick flip through it and im guessing as mine is a non servo abs it should even easier. Specially with brake lights wiring etc????

 

[mrfandangle]

Had my mechanic at my house today to replace the (29 month old) brake fluid on my ABS bike. fit a new alternator belt. rip out the side stand switch gubbins and to save me getting my hands dirty - I asked him to change the gear box oil too (which was due)

all that took him two hours (£60)

I asked him about the brakes. "do I need to tie back the lever over night"

"no" was the answer.. they're fine.

and they are... 'more than fine infact' went for a 40 mile run after and the brakes were absolutely needle sharp (as much as bmw can do 'needle sharp' - i guess)


I would suggest you find someone competent to do the job and watch them. If my mechanic can do this particular task (in less than an hour) with no need to 'tie back the lever' then why can't anyone? only 'special' tool he used was a large syringe.

I won't because I'm too nervous about the task.. I can change pads - but changing fluid I leave to a 'tech' - and don't mind paying either.

Know what your saying but like to work on my bike myself if i can. Plus being proper Cornish im too tight to pay someone else to do it......................

 

[motobiker]

Know what your saying but like to work on my bike myself if i can. Plus being proper Cornish im too tight to pay someone else to do it......................

So do I. but not the brake fluid. I only had him do the other jobs because he was 'here' and I had the bits ready including the new belt.

The brake fluid is only changed every 2 years.. and so I would've thought paying someone to do it while you watch (and learn) would be a sound investment and far better than ripping the abs out - to me that smacks of

Might be an idea posting in your local area section see if someone localish knows how to do this task and can talk you through it or do it for you while you watch.

As with all these jobs - you only need to see it done once and suddenly it becomes a 'any fool can do that' jobbie.

 

[sockpuppet]

Guys don't confuse the threads about people removing SERVO abs with this thread which is about removing just the ABS no servo as its a 2000 model.

They are quite different. No electrics changes (afaik) needed for a start.