Supposed Phantom lock up of ABS - anyone actually have this happen

Warnings

The brakes on a bike eqipped with ABS are not suitable for DIY maintenace. There are at least 10 WARNINGS about this in the Haynes Manual on Brakes, Wheels and Tyres, Chapter 5. If your bike was not purchased new, check the service record;
 
I had the front brakes lock-on on my 2003 K1200GT (Servo and ABS).

After braking while decending the Kirkstone Pass in Cumbria the front wouldn't let go.

I pulled in and let it cool, others recommended pressurising the system (holding the lever in for a while) eventually it released and we continued. I haven't had a problem since.

I wasn't using the brakes much and it was a wet day so I don't think they overheated before they locked.

I have since heard that this is not uncommon on the larger 'K' series which, because of their power, can damage the brakes before the rider is aware of the problem.

The bike had a lowish mileage and was (is) regularly Dealer-serviced.

Similar braking system to the oilheads I guess (certainly looks/feels the same as my 2004 1150GSA).

Bob.
 
Not sure about the brakes locking but this could be a reason for my crash on Friday night. (see seperate thread "Hey there... need some help!")

Long story short, I went down a gear into a corner and the rear locked up sending me into a steel gate post at 40mph. (Perfect dry road with no gravel etc.) Broken wrist later.... i am looking for reasons to confront BMW.

I have a 07 GS (6 weeks old) with only 800 miles on the clock. Just had the first service too.

Dave
 
A very unfortunate coincidence?

"....Long story short, I went down a gear into a corner and the rear locked up sending me into a steel gate post at 40mph. ..."
We extend our symathies and hope that all mends quickly - but does this have anything to do with the brakes I wonder?
 
+++ prosecutor started investigation +++ more cases of locking brakes WITH INJURIES in Germany known +++
 
I've never made the connection, but I had the rear brake lock on my K1200RS a few years ago. Bike felt like it was losing power, only a bit to start with, but then worse and worse until I had to pull onto the hard shoulder by which time . By this time the disc was red hot and had set fire to the rubber boot at the end of the drive shaft. I was very lucky in that a police car was passing and leapt out with a fire extinguisher.

It had ABS but was pre-servo.

Now, the day before I had adjusted the rear brake pedal and assumed that I had "over adjusted" it and it had been dragging, leading to the heating-fluid expanding-more braking-heating cycle described above.

I never understood how I had "over adjusted" it, but once it had cooled down and I put the brake lever back to how it was, everything was fine.
 
Red hot discs!

I managed this a long time before ABS and servos were thought of. In fact on my R100RS I hardly ever used the back brake - (the front disc were not wonderful either, particularly when wet) when I tried them out one morning they worked but stayed on, until i smelt buring; the disc was a bit discoloured but after dismantling the pistons etc; and removing the considerable corrosion all worked happily ever afterwards; Now of course I use my back brakes every time - I have no option - and no problems.
 
Brian ROSEN said:
The brakes on a bike eqipped with ABS are not suitable for DIY maintenace. There are at least 10 WARNINGS about this in the Haynes Manual on Brakes, Wheels and Tyres, Chapter 5. If your bike was not purchased new, check the service record;
Click to expand...


Seems a bit extreme, sure ABS brakes shouldn't be touched by the incompetant nor should any brakes but many of us DIY mechanics are just as competant, if not more so, than your average bike mechanic.
I guess it depends what you mean, but most could safely change the pads or even the fluid if they know the bleed sequence etc.
 
Haynes Manual

According to Haynes - and I don't believe they are interested in persuading us NOT to DIY - most of the operations on ABS equipped brakes end with the warning ;..."unless a BMW diagnostic tester is available to check the operation of the system afterwards " I am not sure but is that the sort of instrument that one can buy now?
 
Brian ROSEN said:
According to Haynes - and I don't believe they are interested in persuading us NOT to DIY - most of the operations on ABS equipped brakes end with the warning ;..."unless a BMW diagnostic tester is available to check the operation of the system afterwards " I am not sure but is that the sort of instrument that one can buy now?
Click to expand...

a bmw dealer was quite happy to do mine without using the GT1 afterwards, as it was unavailable :nenau

we live in a litigious world, i rather suspect haynes are covering their arse. many people successfully service their own ABS brakes.
 
Daimoggs said:
Not sure about the brakes locking but this could be a reason for my crash on Friday night. (see seperate thread "Hey there... need some help!")

Long story short, I went down a gear into a corner and the rear locked up sending me into a steel gate post at 40mph. (Perfect dry road with no gravel etc.) Broken wrist later.... i am looking for reasons to confront BMW.

I have a 07 GS (6 weeks old) with only 800 miles on the clock. Just had the first service too.

Dave
Click to expand...

What news from BuMW?
 
Bengaz said:
The most common cause of the brakes to lock up believe it or not is the right handguard slightly rubbing against the front lever which is enough to virtually stop you dead even from 80mph. (err, it happened to me yesterday). I thought the ABS has locked up and phoned the dealer who asked me to check the handguards first. He was right!
It was very scary, on a fast duel carriageway with no hard shoulder at all, and a car up your arse.:o
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Believe it or not? I do believe!

The handguards on the NEW 2008 GS models are modified. Just have a look on a new 2008 BMW R1200GS Adventure. And inspect it very carefully: There is another screw to prevent the fault of distortion of the handguard. How come?

And the old handguards did not only engage the brakes. They did also engage the clutch which did have the result of "fun" when overtaking.

Anyway the BMW Group stated, that in the case of the right handguard slightly rubbing against the front lever the warning light will flash. AFAIK after 10 Minutes. Which does the trick: That's legal and no recall will happen.

(As you remember residual brakes are legal because auf warning lights are flashing, no recall did happen).


I just thought you might like to know about the modified handguards on the NEW 2008 GS models. They are modidified to prevent both faults with the brakes AND the clutch.
 
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