BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Yep, another one bites the dust. With only 40K and annual service my ABS system went down during a ride with a couple of friends.
So, I'll have the guys at my dealer (mind you not BMW dealer) take it out. Replace the breaklines with steel lines and ride without ABS.

good choice.

you wont miss it.... brakes will actually have a more positive feel.

Peels, you're right (ofcourse). Feels great and looks great.










Feels better than with the iABS. Without the electronic power breaks I have a better feeling for what I'm doing.

So, when you remove the ABS you also get rid og the electric powerbrake as well?

Torsen wrote:So, when you remove the ABS you also get rid og the electric powerbrake as well?

yes the entire servo system is gone, you have traditional brakes, and your bike loses 12lbs of high centered weight. also the whiny hydraulic noise.

easybee. the stainless lines look amazing!. i think ill switch to those next time i do a brake bleed.

Does anyone have a source for the braided lines and the metal "U" needed to removed the servo lump?

braided lines can be ordered at any auto parts store.

The metal U... I don't know what you speak of?

The only thing I bought for this project, was crimp connectors, new brake fluid, and some Newcastle ale.

Yep, braided lines cost me $ 130 from a shop specialising in cafe racer bike parts.

Don't know what metal U is. Mean a manual? Try servoectomy on UKgser.

Mind you, I didn't reconnect any breaklines, replaced the lot. Disadvantage?
Break handle only applies front breaks, break pedal only the rear. No more integrated break system.

I still have to get used to the quietness when I apply the brakes, specially at the traffic lights. No more whining.
Still wondering how powerful these breaks are without the power assist. But they are really just Brembos with a BMW badge.

Brakes are just as powerful as before except you have to apply a bit more pressure and properly balance the front and rear. All things being equal I wish I still had the ABS on mine (removed system two yrs ago due to servo system failure) only because I know it's faster and smarter than I am. But I couldn't justify spending $2500+ on a new pump on a bike that's worth maybe $3500. The one company out there that rebuilds BMW ABS systems couldn't (at that time) source parts for the pump. So off it went. I don't miss the whine though.

Hard to imagine a company like BMW ever letting that noise make it through final production. I'm sure they could have changed design to eliminate it.

ron prior wrote:Hard to imagine a company like BMW ever letting that noise make it through final production. I'm sure they could have changed design to eliminate it.

You would have thought that as well with the quick disconnects. But we all know about those.

Yeah but....that is a quick-fix.....not so with the damn servo....Oh well...bitchin'bout it won't help....

My servo ABS brakes still work (knocking on wood...) but am curious about the lever effort after removing the servo. I know with the servo in place but ignition not on, it takes considerable effort to get some braking - is that because of the servo design? After removal, does the non-servo feel better and more re-active?

non servo feels perfectly fine. IE: brake power, is much more related to the pressure you've given in the lever.

think about it. (not exact technical explanation here but...) the servo adds only pressure based on the line you pressurize via the lever, engineered by someone in a shop somewhere. youre brake levers, are not in direct contact with the calipers via brake lines. by removing, Youre cutting out the middle man.

think drive by wire. Not really a fan of it.

dont miss the servo one bit.

My '04R (less ABS) feels exactly like the '03 I had. Relate your bike's brake feel to possibly your car (or truck) engine running vs off. My '04 feels good and the difference in brake feel is near imperceptible. I don't for a moment regret removing system except for the fact that I now have to rely on my own braking and handling expertise in an emergency. I am trying to make up for that by being even more watchful of my surroundings while riding. A good thing for all of us anyway.

fwiw---the reduced maintenance requirement is welcome, weight reduction etc. I did my own brake bleeding but it really was a royal PITA compared to standard brakes.

Again, "I wish my Motorcycle had power brakes" ....said no one ever. I can't stand them, there is no feel or feedback whatsoever.
Taking on and off the lift without it running is always a treat as the brakes hardly work...still not acclimated to that.
While the better half was riding the 1150 she laid it down at a stop sign due to not getting her foot down as the brakes slammed it to a halt.
Rant off....

towerworker wrote:My '04R (less ABS) feels exactly like the '03 I had. Relate your bike's brake feel to possibly your car (or truck) engine running vs off. My '04 feels good and the difference in brake feel is near imperceptible. I don't for a moment regret removing system except for the fact that I now have to rely on my own braking and handling expertise in an emergency. I am trying to make up for that by being even more watchful of my surroundings while riding. A good thing for all of us anyway.

fwiw---the reduced maintenance requirement is welcome, weight reduction etc. I did my own brake bleeding but it really was a royal PITA compared to standard brakes.

Mine feels more positive, and linear. that's all. but well said. there never really is "yahoo!!! glad that suckers gone" moment. But Ill be honest, it was gratifying as I was pulling out the miles of tubing, knowing the system is now simpler.

I prefer to trust myself, rather than a German engineer in a garage with lawyers telling him what to do.

the German abs reminded me of this Uboat valve photo.

Any good "how-to" to do this job? Links?

Torsen wrote:Any good "how-to" to do this job? Links?

here you go.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread ... 4c04ce796e

NOTE: rockster is different.

here is my ABS journey.

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34197