o4, 1150 rt abs goosed

[geordie]

Hi lads,

My dad was due to go to Ireland in the morning 24th, went out for last test ride with mate bikes all loaded and......abs and brake fail lamps come on,
Managed to stop with mix of engine braking and mighty heave on lever.
Two mechanics local to us are both on holiday, he has been quoted £1600-2000 to sort it.( BMW dealership )
I suggested it may be cheaper to have abs removed.
Anyone had their abs removed on similar year,? What costs implications etc? The bike has just over 40k on it with FSH and is in excellent order.

As always all input greatly appreciated

Andy

 

[Miggs]

It's not a particularly challenging job, plenty of info online for doing it.
Here is one of Chris Harris's videos explaining it, albeit in fairly colourful language!

Might be worth checking that the unit is not just low on fluid and got air in.
Happened to mine with the same results.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Are you sure that the brake light is not stuck on??

Removing it may not be a huge hassle "but" better to check its definitely defunct first

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

If it's still rideable he may be able to find a BMW expert in Ireland who could have a look & point the best way forward. Got to be cheaper than main stealers.
Now, if only we could find someone in Ireland who fitted that description, anyone?

 

[Steptoe]

It's not a particularly challenging job, plenty of info online for doing it.
Here is one of Chris Harris's videos explaining it, albeit in fairly colourful language!

Do not remove the servo unit in the way this idiot shows you.

There is a simple way of removing it without cutting any wires or bodging and leaving all the electrics unmolested so it can be re-installed at a later date without any grief.

 

[Bigboy]

Neil

The amount you've changed, I'm surprised you haven't added a "How to remove one" .........

You'll be please to to know ( I was) that my ABS fault has not returned, and in 3000miles in Europe was no problem.

Bigboy

 

[beemerboy9]

My thought was that my R1100RT would be difficult to sell on if it did not have a working ABS unit. The prospective buyer would just move on to another machine that was "complete".

I managed to find a breaker in Chingford, North London - hopefully you can find one nearer to you - who put in a working unit for about £450 fitted. His comment was that he normally threw the ABS units away, because they so seldom go wrong. Luckily he still had one for me . The units have probably had quite a lot of revisions, so it important to know the chassis number when inquiring.

The replacement lasted until I sold the bike, which is suited my purpose.

Good Luck with your search.

 

[geordie]

Cheers for the replies lads , as it happened at 3pm the day before they were due to leave they decided to go in the car
Still getting a holiday, rear bulb was changed with no change to brakes.

Had a couple of calls while there away and think he is going to source a replacement unit, thanks for the heads up regarding the YouTube video

One of the lads has offered to have a go at changing it, ( bit more technically minded than me ).
I'll make sure I point him here

 

[Puggy]

I got a used ABS unit from Motorworks for around £150 IIRC - the helpful chap even said if it didn't work, he would refund me. I fitted it myself (not too hard) but ended up paying BMW around £150 to bleed the system as I couldn't get the air out of the rear wheel circuit properly.

 

[geordie]

I got a used ABS unit from Motorworks for around £150 IIRC - the helpful chap even said if it didn't work, he would refund me. I fitted it myself (not too hard) but ended up paying BMW around £150 to bleed the system as I couldn't get the air out of the rear wheel circuit properly.

Had a look on there and they were £300
Dads back on Sunday so can have bit crack and see what he wants to do
Around £300 in total is a lot better than £2k

 

[Puggy]

Had a look on there and they were £300
Dads back on Sunday so can have bit crack and see what he wants to do
Around £300 in total is a lot better than £2k

Yes might have been £300. Sorry if I got that wrong. Still better than thick end of £2000 from BMW when my 1150RT was only worth about £2300....
Also Steptoe of this parish was a genius getting my bike sorted out and I highly recommend getting his help if you are looking for assistance.

 

[geordie]

Just a quick update, a mate has had a look and changed the abs relay, 300 miles later and all is well.
Total cost £11 from motirwirks

Many thanks to all that chimed in.

Andy

 

[Puggy]

Just a quick update, a mate has had a look and changed the abs relay, 300 miles later and all is well.
Total cost £11 from motirwirks

Many thanks to all that chimed in.

Andy

Good to hear that Andy