R1150GS Adv Front Disk

[Geldof]

Set off for a spin today to Matlock with gf on the back.
After about 10miles, bike seemed to be struggling a bit - at first I thought one
of the cylinders wasn't firing. As we were on a dual carriageway in traffic, I had
to keep going for about another mile before I found somewhere to pull in.
Once bike was stationary, realised engine was fine so had a quick check of the brakes.
The front right disk was glowing
I've only done about 1500 miles since I got this bike last month, and from day one I noticed
that when riding very slowly approaching traffic lights, the brake lever pulsed very slightly.
So I am guessing the disk was slightly warped when I bought the bike even though it looks
in perfect condition.
I managed to free the caliper off, and rode back home using engine braking and the rear brake only.
Once home whipped off the calipers for a look - they are absolutely minging.
The edges of the brake pads have bubbles of rust on them, the pistons are black with grime.
So I guess I need to strip and clean the calipers and replace a disk

What I want to know is
- Are R1150GSs prone to disk warping?
- Is it acceptable to replace a single disk, or do they have to be done in pairs?
(Disks look fine visually - no grooves)
- Is there anything peculiar to BMWs that is happening here? Or is it just bad luck?
- Should I source a BMW replacement disk - or is there a better alternative?
- What pads are best?

I am getting a bit disappointed with this bike. Its let me down once already with a flat battery
(minor - but annoying considering it was a new battery), one of the fork seals has started leaking, and now the front brakes are shot. I just want to ride the blasted thing

 

[Timolgra]

Maintenance

 

[DrFarkoff]

Yup just replace a disk but to be honest I would maybe try overhauling the callipers first and then trying it Nothing to loose

N.B. To release the Disk use a heat gun and get the disc mount bolts ferking hot at least 100 degrees to soften the thread lock If you don't you'll maybe be helicoiling or looking a new front wheel

You can buy a calliper kit for these what happens is people ride them in salty conditions for some reason the salt migrates behind the wiper ring and crystallizes and that jams the pistons and the brakes don't release

Kit Linky

Lets see you recon a set or R1 callipers for a hundred quid!

Rinsing the callipers out frequently when riding in winter will save you the grief

 

[Geldof]

Maintenance

Bikes previous owner was a copper..... so when I bought I thought bike would have
been well maintained. I should have known really because when bike was serviced
last week, spark plugs were rusty

 

[Geldof]

N.B. To release the Disk use a heat gun and get the disc mount bolts ferking hot at least 100 degrees to soften the thread lock If you don't you'll maybe be helicoiling or looking a new front wheel

Good tip - thx

 

[illustratedman]

What year and mileage is it?

 

[The smudger]

Fuck me!

Flat battery, sticky brake, rusty plug....

I'd get rid of it if I were you. Tell you what, I'll take it. Due to the fact it's 'riddled' with problems, £500?

Welcome to the world of bmw!!!

 

[nud1e]

Brake line

Had a very similar problem with my XT225. After much work found that it was the brake line internal had collapsed and was acting as a one way valve and not letting the fluid back from the caliper.

 

[Geldof]

What year and mileage is it?

2004 - 45k on the clock

 

[ozziesda]

Geldof - I had the same problem with my brakes recently except without a warped disc.

Have a read through this - http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=323514

I have tokico (BMW branded) brakes and the rebuild kits I got were actually for brembo calipers but the seals were the same size.

 

[Geldof]

Geldof - I had the same problem with my brakes recently except without a warped disc.

Have a read through this - http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=323514

I have tokico (BMW branded) brakes and the rebuild kits I got were actually for brembo calipers but the seals were the same size.

Thanks for the link ..... I'm going to start ordering the various bits I need

 

[illustratedman]

before you start fekin about with the brakes make sure you know how to bleed the system properly with the servo, which i presume it has as an 04 adv

 

[Geldof]

before you start fekin about with the brakes make sure you know how to bleed the system properly with the servo, which i presume it has as an 04 adv

Servo removed - so not an issue

 

[ozziesda]

Servo removed - so not an issue

Likewise -

Follow the link and read through the story. All the part numbers are there including the kawasaki part numbers for the joining seals inside the calipers . Mr BMW says not to split the calipers, I did and replaced these little feckers inside and have had no issues whatsoever.

The only problem I ran into was loosening the torx bolts that join the caliper halves together. If salt was the culprit for the pistons sticking, You're gonna need a lot of heat and a lot of patience as these bolts will be seized too because the back of the thread is open to contamination. Oh and when bleeding the brakes afterwards, watch for air getting in around the bleed nipple threads. I had a tiny bit of air trapped after rebuilding mine but it sorted itself out and rose up through the system overnight. Brakes are 100% since.

If you need any help, Just ask

Dave

 

[Geldof]

Likewise -

Follow the link and read through the story. All the part numbers are there including the kawasaki part numbers for the joining seals inside the calipers . Mr BMW says not to split the calipers, I did and replaced these little feckers inside and have had no issues whatsoever.

The only problem I ran into was loosening the torx bolts that join the caliper halves together. If salt was the culprit for the pistons sticking, You're gonna need a lot of heat and a lot of patience as these bolts will be seized too because the back of the thread is open to contamination. Oh and when bleeding the brakes afterwards, watch for air getting in around the bleed nipple threads. I had a tiny bit of air trapped after rebuilding mine but it sorted itself out and rose up through the system overnight. Brakes are 100% since.

If you need any help, Just ask

Dave

Cheers Dave. Had a go at cleaning up the caliper this evening. Pushed out each piston
in turn (with others clamped). The 4th piston once it started moving started bringing the
rubber seal out with it. Funnily enough no fluid leaking though. Maybe an incorrectly fitted
seal could have caused the lock up?

 

[ozziesda]

That too happened with my seals, except mine were melted to the piston

If its something that simple you're a lucky man!! You'll find it difficult to source just the seals without buying a full rebuild kit though.

If you are planning on keeping the bike for a while it makes sense to do a full rebuild and be safe in the knowledge that they are sorted.

 

[MikeO]

That too happened with my seals, except mine were melted to the piston

If its something that simple you're a lucky man!! You'll find it difficult to source just the seals without buying a full rebuild kit though.

If you are planning on keeping the bike for a while it makes sense to source and fit a pair of Brembos and ditch the Tokicos.

Fixed

 

[ozziesda]

Fixed

Personally I can't see the point in spending a fortune on 2 brembo caliper when the tokico ones, once serviced, will be just as good. Once serviced and rebuilt its just a matter of keeping on top of the maintenance and rinsing them off after riding in salt or very dusty/sandy conditions.

 

[richierex]

Yes, if it were mine I would get rid of it. It will be nothing but trouble. A flat battery and it was new! wow. Rusty spark plugs, Oh dear me. And sticking cruddy calipers.
I think some maintenance is required here, none of these are bike related problems, you will know soon enough about them, I would start worrying about my starter motor if I were you.

 

[Steptoe]

Personally I can't see the point in spending a fortune on 2 brembo caliper when the tokico ones, once serviced, will be just as good.

Because the BMW copy of the tokico that Mike is talking about uses bigger brake pads and discs with more swept area.

That's why BMW have stuck with that caliper including using it on the 1200