Abs brakes !

[cillasman]

Hi all i want to remove and respray my forks but my bike is fitted with working abs. Is it like normal, clamp pipe, remove, refit and bleed, or am i going to open a load of trouble. Ian

[Bikerhoss]

If you're just respraying the forks, and don't intend to replace any brake lines, I would just hang the calipers from the headstock with bungees or the like, That'll save you any hassle.
If you are replacing brake lines, then the overwhelming opinion seems to be ditch the ABS for a simpler system
If you use the search function you'll find plenty chat on the removal

[cillasman]

I had a look in search. am i right as mine is a 1998 with brembo calipers it can be bleed as normal as non servo, sorry bike is an r1100rt. ian

[Triton]

Brake bleeding is no great problem on a '98 RT which has the same brakes as my '96 RS. Best way is to remove tank and bleed to ABS modulator then bleed to brake caliper then repeat for other brake - simples

[cillasman]

So its not impossible. I want to change the bango bolts and bleed nipples for stainless item but not if it causes alot of greif. If i remove the caliper and clamp pipe as low as poss,When ive overhauled the calipers and fit them back on, will it not bleed through the modulater down to the calipers anyway. Also does the bike need to be running to open abs valves or just bleed as is. Ian

[sandbar]

then the overwhelming opinion seems to be ditch the ABS for a simpler system

To be fair to the original poster, I think you are overstating the case. Quite a few have removed their ABS, and a few are thinking about it, but overwhelming? I don't think so!!

sandbar

[cillasman]

Sorry, Im a measure twice cut once kinda guy and ive never had a bike with abs before. I want to keep the system just tidy up the rusty parts. Ian

[Dog Tyred]

If you are going to replace any components in the brake system you will need to bleed the whole brake system once its all back together (which is a bloody nightmare first time you do it).

There is an excellent guide to bleeding the abs system produced by someone on the UKGS'er site (you'll find a link to it somewhere in the search function but if you can't find it drop me a PM with your email address and I'll send you a copy).

The link below to another guide (not as comprehensive as the UKGS'er one) but it will give you some idea of whats involved. BTW you don't need to fully remove the tank, just lift it.


http://www.beachbus.net/BMW/diy/Bleed_W ... rcuits.htm

Otherwise if you are just painting the forks then as said before just remove the calipers and hang from the bar ends.

DT

[nab 301]

So its not impossible. I want to change the bango bolts and bleed nipples for stainless item but not if it causes alot of greif. If i remove the caliper and clamp pipe as low as poss,When ive overhauled the calipers and fit them back on, will it not bleed through the modulater down to the calipers anyway. Also does the bike need to be running to open abs valves or just bleed as is. Ian

As Triton states above you need to bleed the modulator front and rear circuits separately. and then the calipers .(My '99 1100 S had a similar system< I just followed the service manual procedure) It's easy enough although I always found a vacuum pump made it easier . Plenty have managed without .
The later link by DT is a servo system , different from yours.

[Triton]

Important - must bleed to modulator. If you dont you wont get all the old fluid out as in my opinion some gets stuck in parts of the modulator. I have owned my RS since '99 so have a bit of experience with it.

[cillasman]

Thanks ive got the bike stripped down now ready to paint the forks , i,ll pm you when i need to put it back together. Cheers Ian