Servoectomy realities

[wessexmike]

Hi folks

So, my ABS/servo unit is defective on my 05 GS. People keep stating that a servoectomy is the simple and cheap option, rather than the £2k to fix a bike worth £3.5k.

After speaking with the very helpful Mike at Stroud M/C today, I have a few queries which I haven't been able to find answers to (1000 apologies if they are all out there!):

1. Are the brake lights linked to the unit, and how is this sorted after servoectomy.
2. Does servoectomy affect the speedo, and if so how is this resolved.
3. How can the brake warning light be made to stay off following servoectomy.
4. Are insurance companies likely to throw a spanner I the works when I tell them it has been removed?
4. Any other issues I need to think about before doing this?

I cannot afford £2k to replace the unit. No one rebuilds the unit on this model. I am not prepared to put tape over the speedo unit to hide the flashing lights. I'd really like to get it sorted locally, and do need to be sure that it is not going to make the bike fail an MOT, make the ins null and void, or make the bike un-saleable.

Any useful advice much appreciated! Sarcy comments only appreciated if they are witty

 

[Sgt Bilco]

I'm sure Mikeyboy will be along in due cours ebut if not, send him a pm and he maybe be able to help.

I have a feeling that someone rebuilds them but not sure who.

 

[JJH]

Insurence wise they were sold with abs and without so just tell insurence no abs. JJH

 

[JJH]

I actually had a non abs bike when they came out and I can tell you there is nothing lacking in the stopping dept. JJH

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

1 no they have switches and work ok

2 nope speedo works ok

3 tape, open the clocks up and cut the LED out. Not sure if this model is the one where you can separate the electronics and leave them plugged in. Will let someone else reply to that one.

4 technically you should inform them, whether it changes the premium will depend on the insurer.

It won't stop you getting an MOT. It must work if fitted. It isn't fitted so doesn't have to work. They have no way of knowing if it works or not anyway unless they do a road test and the fail light keeps flashing.

As for resale it depends on the person. It's a garbage system and anybody looking at that age of GS should be glad it's gone. Some of course will be anal about it and it will be a no sale to them. Making it clear in the advert will stop them wasting your time hopefully.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Insurence wise they were sold with abs and without so just tell insurence no abs. JJH

Fair enough, but the bike will originally have a build spec from BMW, with ABS and logged against the chassis number

How can you get out of that?

 

[JJH]

Fair enough, but the bike will originally have a build spec from BMW, with ABS and logged against the chassis number

How can you get out of that?

I would guess that you tell the insurance co. at the time of completing the proposal form. JJH

 

[DrFarkoff]

There is NO legal requirement at that age to have ABS fitted it was an Optional extra that fuckwit dealers ticked the box on many many orders

I recall something about BMW will give a letter to qualify that the same main components are used between the ABS and Non ABS models i.e. Callipers and Master cylinders

With a 1200GS you MUST remove the electronics box from the ABS unit to retain the speed sensing capability and tape, paint or remove the LED from the instrument panel

I'd rather ride a bike with ABS removed than to be waiting for a fail some time when I REALLY need it to work!

I wonder how long as a ex BM tech I can keep my 1200GS Servo system alive for ???

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

There is NO legal requirement at that age to have ABS fitted it was an Optional extra that fuckwit dealers ticked the box on many many orders

I recall something about BMW will give a letter to qualify that the same main components are used between the ABS and Non ABS models i.e. Callipers and Master cylinders

With a 1200GS you MUST remove the electronics box from the ABS unit to retain the speed sensing capability and tape, paint or remove the LED from the instrument panel

I'd rather ride a bike with ABS removed than to be waiting for a fail some time when I REALLY need it to work!

I wonder how long as a ex BM tech I can keep my 1200GS Servo system alive for ???

There you go I knew there was something about removing the electronics and keeping them plugged in.

 

[wessexmike]

Insurence wise they were sold with abs and without so just tell insurence no abs. JJH

Thanks. And without servo?

 

[wessexmike]

Thanks for the answers so far, much appreciated.

The main concern I still have is the sorting of the flashing warning LEDs. Taping or painting them sounds like an invitation at a later date to a no win no fee vulture, if ever an accident happened and things were looked into. And I don't think the local mechanics would be prepared to do the job without a more 'legit' method of sorting the warning lights. If warning lights are still flashing, whether visible or not. would error codes be lodged?

 

[DrFarkoff]

Yes thats right it is the ABS unit that actually provides the servo assistance

Bikes with No ABS have std power brakes with no gizmos or gadgets

P.S. Its also a good idea to remove the ABS sensor and the Sensor pulse ring from the front wheel if you do remove the Servo at a glance it is a Non abs motorcycle

Thanks. And without servo?

 

[wessexmike]

Yes thats right it is the ABS unit that actually provides the servo assistance

Bikes with No ABS have std power brakes with no gizmos or gadgets

P.S. Its also a good idea to remove the ABS sensor and the Sensor pulse ring from the front wheel if you do remove the Servo at a glance it is a Non abs motorcycle

Thanks Dr. Yep, if I do it I'll remove the ring and sensor.

Has anyone found a way of tricking the electronics into thinking it doesn't need to flash once unit removed?

 

[DrFarkoff]

Nope Just split clocks and nip one end of the LED or paint it and the abs warning symbol

any electronics shop could disconnect it IF there are any left

Has anyone found a way of tricking the electronics into thinking it doesn't need to flash once unit removed?

 

[jogo]

Hi folks

So, my ABS/servo unit is defective on my 05 GS. People keep stating that a servoectomy is the simple and cheap option, rather than the £2k to fix a bike worth £3.5k.

After speaking with the very helpful Mike at Stroud M/C today, I have a few queries which I haven't been able to find answers to (1000 apologies if they are all out there!):

1. Are the brake lights linked to the unit, and how is this sorted after servoectomy.
2. Does servoectomy affect the speedo, and if so how is this resolved.
3. How can the brake warning light be made to stay off following servoectomy.
4. Are insurance companies likely to throw a spanner I the works when I tell them it has been removed?
4. Any other issues I need to think about before doing this?

I cannot afford £2k to replace the unit. No one rebuilds the unit on this model. I am not prepared to put tape over the speedo unit to hide the flashing lights. I'd really like to get it sorted locally, and do need to be sure that it is not going to make the bike fail an MOT, make the ins null and void, or make the bike un-saleable.

Any useful advice much appreciated! Sarcy comments only appreciated if they are witty

Have a look here:

http://ukgser.com/forums/showthread...e-for-ABS-modules-(incl-servo-type)-available

 

[wessexmike]

So, after MOT with no advisories yesterday, thought I'd wash the bike ahead of tank removal to get the pump number to give to a company
who might be able to refurb it. Couldn't find the chamois to dry it so went for a soon to dry it. Then I noticed i couldn't see any red from behind the black tape I'd put on.
Got back and realised the rear servo is now working, after months of not working. Question is, did cleaning the bike do something to the rear servo that might be permanent, or am I now in a temporary fool's paradise?

Sent from my FP1U using Tapatalk

 

[jwpzx9r]

So, after MOT with no advisories yesterday, thought I'd wash the bike ahead of tank removal to get the pump number to give to a company
who might be able to refurb it. Couldn't find the chamois to dry it so went for a soon to dry it. Then I noticed i couldn't see any red from behind the black tape I'd put on.
Got back and realised the rear servo is now working, after months of not working. Question is, did cleaning the bike do something to the rear servo that might be permanent, or am I now in a temporary fool's paradise?

Sent from my FP1U using Tapatalk

I really hope that this is a permanent fix ... but would not hold my breath. I have had quite a few issues with my ABS/servo on my 2005 GS and everytime it has been a reboot to solve the problem. Big difference down here is there is no MOT so I have never had to worry about that. Mind you just because there is no MOT does not absolve you from keeping the bike 100% safe and road worthy.

 

[Bendy toy]

You may have a dirty connection that got wet when the bike was washed. The only way to find them is with a fine tooth comb.

Let's hope that's all it is.

Back to the servoectomy-
When the servo and all the ABS sensor gubbins are removed the bike has no ABS so the warning light should also go.
It's only a fiddle if the bike is claimed to have ABS when in reality it doesn't.
The instrument light is just a relic of the old system so remove it.


Sent somehow.

 

[Packer]

I took the servo abs system off my 1150 GS and told the insurance company. They were fine, no difference in price.

 

[Santa-2512]

I thought one of the ABS rings was needed for the speed sensor

If that's the case, i need to take my front sensor & reluctor ring off as some stage


Mart