'00 R1100RT ABS Issues, should I stay or should I go? New brake hoses needed as well...

[Kilohertz]

Hi guys! 

 

Finally getting around to starting my winter projects and first on the list is the brake system on my 2000 R1100RT, low miles only 63,000KM and in very nice condition. I bought it last year knowing it had ABS issues, it has been in 2 different shops before I bought it, 1 shop is a friend of mine and I trust his assessment. The usual both lights flashing at ride off and usual suspects have been confirmed ok, low battery, wheel sensors etc. My friends shop pulled the hydro unit apart while in the bike to observe the plungers dropping, their code scan came up with 13 which is plungers not dropping which they did. After some more testing they concluded it was in need of a new control board. All of this was 4 years ago.

 

So last year I pulled the hydro apart a little further and dismantled and cleaned the plungers and reassembled and no surprise, exactly the same results. I pulled the cct brd out and disconnected power to the unit and was planning to reflow some of the big solder connections on the board, which I haven't done yet but may still give it a go. 

 

At the end of the season, the front upper brake line started leaking so I now want to replace all the factory rubber lines with SS braid, and if I can't repair the control board, I am contemplating the removal of the ABS unit.

 

So two things, your thoughts on removal of the ABS unit, good/bad? and if I do remove it, could someone who has done it let me know the new brake line lengths or details on the hoses as I am having a local shop make them and they need something to copy, or dimensions to work from.

 

I also have the '99 R1100S which has a perfectly working ABS, and in a whole year of riding that, I could only get the ABS to activate by stomping on gravel roads, never on pavement, but maybe I wasn't aggressive enough.

 

Look forward to your thoughts and guidance.

 

Cheers

[dirtrider]

31 minutes ago, Kilohertz said:

Hi guys! 

 

Finally getting around to starting my winter projects and first on the list is the brake system on my 2000 R1100RT, low miles only 63,000KM and in very nice condition. I bought it last year knowing it had ABS issues, it has been in 2 different shops before I bought it, 1 shop is a friend of mine and I trust his assessment. The usual both lights flashing at ride off and usual suspects have been confirmed ok, low battery, wheel sensors etc. My friends shop pulled the hydro unit apart while in the bike to observe the plungers dropping, their code scan came up with 13 which is plungers not dropping which they did. After some more testing they concluded it was in need of a new control board. All of this was 4 years ago.

 

So last year I pulled the hydro apart a little further and dismantled and cleaned the plungers and reassembled and no surprise, exactly the same results. I pulled the cct brd out and disconnected power to the unit and was planning to reflow some of the big solder connections on the board, which I haven't done yet but may still give it a go. 

 

At the end of the season, the front upper brake line started leaking so I now want to replace all the factory rubber lines with SS braid, and if I can't repair the control board, I am contemplating the removal of the ABS unit.

 

So two things, your thoughts on removal of the ABS unit, good/bad? and if I do remove it, could someone who has done it let me know the new brake line lengths or details on the hoses as I am having a local shop make them and they need something to copy, or dimensions to work from.

 

I also have the '99 R1100S which has a perfectly working ABS, and in a whole year of riding that, I could only get the ABS to activate by stomping on gravel roads, never on pavement, but maybe I wasn't aggressive enough.

 

Look forward to your thoughts and guidance.

 

Evening Kilohertz

 

Personally I would just remove the darn thing, even if you manage to get it working it will probably act up again at some point in the future. 

 

The old slow 1100 ABS II system wasn't a fast response system so left a lot to be desired in slippery conditions. Was usually fast enough to work OK on higher friction dry paved surfaces but still had a nasty habit of prematurely releasing the front brake on rough road surfaces under heavy braking.

 

You will probably have to measure for the line lengths you need as most of us old 1100RT ABS removers just used the stock length ABS brake hoses for the front (just flipped the front brake line Y block over & used one inlet/outlet (bypassing then removing the lines that ran back to the ABS hydro unit).

 

On the rear some used the 1100R  non ABS hose & others (like myself) just made up a new steel line from the rear master cylinder to the rear hose bracket & used the ABS hose, still others just ran the stock rear ABS hose directly to the rear master cylinder (personally I never liked that approach as the hose length is not quite right).

 

You might call the replacement line company that you intend to go with as they probably have a kit with correct length hoses for an 1100RT with ABS hydro unit removed.

 

[Kilohertz]

8 minutes ago, dirtrider said:

Personally I would just remove the darn thing, even if you manage to get it working it will probably act up again at some point in the future.  

 

You might call the replacement line company that you intend to go with as they probably have a kit with correct length hoses for an 1100RT ABS hydro unit removed.

 

 

Just had a good look at the cct brd and it is pretty complex, and is covered with conformal coating, both sides, and will just end up a mess trying to remove it or burn thru it. Agreed, it's outta here! 

 

I called the company and they don't have the kit or dimensions for the bikes, they are a multi talented shop and build everything from hydraulic hoses to brake lines for everything from excavators to bikes. I will do a little more research and reading...I like your idea of re-using the Y block. I will have a better understanding once I take the bike apart.

Thanks!

 

Cheers