Sorry another ABS prob thread

[jwpzx9r]

Hi fellow Tosser's. Went for a run out yesterday and had only done 7km and the ABS warning started to flash. I stopped and switched off the ignition then switched on again and let it do it's thing and the warning light went out. Then went a further 300km without any problem! It's not the first time this has happened and I have cured it the same way switch off/on. Now sometimes I will have ridden the bike 100km before the light comes on other times it happens within, as yesterday, a few km. On some occassons it has come on a couple of times in the one day other times as only the once. Any clue as to what would cause this? I tend to go up into the mountains a lot and have had thelight come on quite frequently on the descents, using the brakes quite a lot then. I have Checked the rear wheel play no problem as far as I can detect, but I have noticed that the rear disc is worn to the extent that I can feel an appreciable lip at the edges, so is worn a fair bit. Could this be the root of the problem? Does the disc thickness trigger the ABS light? Any hlep is most welcome. Other than that the bike is going like stink and rips through 5k in top gear like shite off a shovel and still gave me a calculated 58mpg Only got off the bike twice in the 300km trip and my arse was sair after that! I take my hat off to the fella on here that said he did 1000mile in 12 hrs on one of these, I reckon he was talking BS BTW

 

[Pukmeister]

Does the disc thickness trigger the ABS light?

Assuming your bike has Servo ABS: If the brake fluid level has to drop inside the ABS pump to compensate for the pad/disk wear then YES it can trigger an ABS alarm. Don't confuse the internal reservoir level inside the ServoABS pump with the levels in the handlebar and foot pedal reservoirs, the pump is located under the fuel tank and has two internal reservoirs.

 

[jwpzx9r]

Yes its a 2005 model with servo ABS braking, might be worth getting a new rear disc and pads. Rear disc is well worn compared to the front discs strangley I can't remember ever having a bike with such a badly worn rear disc, probably because I never used the rear brake on any of my sport bikes other than the odd drag in a corner. I can check the speed sensor for swarf while the wheel is out.

 

[Schtum]

I can't remember ever having a bike with such a badly worn rear disc, probably because I never used the rear brake on any of my sport bikes other than the odd drag in a corner.

Do you usually apply the rear brake pedal when braking on the GS? If so, you're adding an unnecessary amount of rear brake. The brakes are semi-linked with the front brake lever operating both front and rear brakes and the rear pedal operating only the rear brake.

The other thing that leads to premature wear of rear pads and discs, is a build-up of brake dust in the holes of the rear disc. Keep them clean.

 

[Pukmeister]

My old 2004 GS ate the rear disk in 25,000 miles despite hardly using the rear pedal. Servo linked brakes are heavy on the rear.

 

[skywalker]

Before you shell out on new discs and pads check the basics. Is there enough meat on the pads. Check the actual thickness of the disc with a micrometer. The service limit is 4.5mm (minimum thickness)
If the bike has been dropped etc this can also cause brake fluid to leak out of the pump reservoir vent hoses.
Take the tank off and have a look at the 2 reservoirs on the pump.As a rule of thumb the fluid should be up to the top of the white inserts on later pumps or just the bottom of the threads on earlier pumps. "H" on the reservoir is for the back "V" is the front.
If your replacing the disc always replace the bolts. The new torque is 30nM for them. Recommend genuine stuff at all times. After market pads will wear your discs out twice as quickly as OE despite the contrary on here.

 

[jwpzx9r]

Do you usually apply the rear brake pedal when braking on the GS? If so, you're adding an unnecessary amount of rear brake. The brakes are semi-linked with the front brake lever operating both front and rear brakes and the rear pedal operating only the rear brake.

The other thing that leads to premature wear of rear pads and discs, is a build-up of brake dust in the holes of the rear disc. Keep them clean.

Never used the rear stopper in normal dry road conditions on any of my bikes... no point they are useless for stopping, but can be useful in a corner.

 

[jwpzx9r]

Before you shell out on new discs and pads check the basics. Is there enough meat on the pads. Check the actual thickness of the disc with a micrometer. The service limit is 4.5mm (minimum thickness)
If the bike has been dropped etc this can also cause brake fluid to leak out of the pump reservoir vent hoses.
Take the tank off and have a look at the 2 reservoirs on the pump.As a rule of thumb the fluid should be up to the top of the white inserts on later pumps or just the bottom of the threads on earlier pumps. "H" on the reservoir is for the back "V" is the front.
If your replacing the disc always replace the bolts. The new torque is 30nM for them. Recommend genuine stuff at all times. After market pads will wear your discs out twice as quickly as OE despite the contrary on here.

I will defo check the disc thickness. I am going to say something very stupid ..here goes. Prior to me buying the bike it was given a complete service including changing the brake fluid, gear box oil and the final drive oil. It was done at the main BMW Motorrad dealers in Pau I have the invoice and cost breakdown time sheet for this that was 3000km back. Got to trust the main dealer surely ha ha ha!

 

[skywalker]

Trust ??why not ??? not all dealers are bad . Some folk on here are too quick to judge. Sure there are bad dealers I'm not saying there aren't - just give the good ones the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Wapping]

Got to trust the main dealer surely ha ha ha!

On top of the twaddle that (often) gets posted in this section.... I'd give 'em the benefit of the doubt.