R 1150 RT ABS bypass

[Chuck McMullen]

2002 R 1150 RT, My ABS has stopped working, concerned it my be the ABS unit @ $2200, yikes! I am considering removing the entire system and using conventional brakes, with the exsiting calipers and mastercylinder. I plan to use new brakes lines and light switches. Has anyone heard of this being done or have any insight to the project?

 

Thanks-Chuck

[T__]

Chuck, yes there have been a few different 1150RT owners that have done just that..

 

You can buy the non ABS front hose to junction block from BMW that just routes the front master cylinder directly to the front calipers,, or just make (or have made) little metal brake line loop to route the fluid out of then right back into the production front junction block..

 

For the rear you can just find a rear hose that goes directly from the rear master cylinder to the rear caliper or again make up little line loop to by-pas trip to & from the ABS controller..

 

For brake switches you have some choices—The ones on you bike now are reverse logic N/C so you either need to replace them with correct logic N/O switches,, or use a relay at the wire harness that connected to the ABS controller (all the wires + power +ground come together there),, or use brake line presser switches in the front & rear brake systems (like at the brake line to caliper attachment bolts)..

 

Not a big project if you are somewhat handy with tools & electrical wiring..

 

Front parts=

BMW part # 34-32-7-650-965 (Distributor)

 

Rear parts=

34-32-7-677-201 rear non ABS hose (verify it’s length & correct ends before buying)..

 

 

Twisty

 

[Chuck McMullen]

Twisty, Thank you for the information. Have any idea how these work? I would think the braking will be fine, since all the parts are Brembo. I am thinking it may be easier to control, less touchy.

[T__]

Chuck, I haven’t ever personally converted the 1150 I-ABS for (me) to ride but have helped a friend convert his.. I never rode that bike after the conversion but my friend says the brakes were excellent.. A few others on this board have made the I-ABS conversion & all have reported good feeling & stopping brakes afterwards..

 

Maybe do a search on this site for some of the conversions..

 

 

Twisty

 

[RTCHIEF]

Wait until you sell the bike with a disabled ABS, it ain't pretty. JON

[T__]

Wait until you sell the bike with a disabled ABS, it ain't pretty. JON

 

RTCHIEF, I’d be willing to bet a weeks donuts that selling an 8+ year old 1150RT without ABS brakes (not disabled but actually removed) would not lower the selling price anywhere near the $2,200.00 that a replacement controller would coast.. In fact on the 2002RT if the buyer has test ridden any other 2002 RT’s with the power servo assist then rides his 2002 with conventional brakes that might even be a positive selling point.. It sure wouldn’t stop me from buying a used 2002 RT if the bike was otherwise in good condition..

 

 

Twisty

 

[RTCHIEF]

I tried to sell a 92 K75RT that the previous owner had disabled the ABS on. Prospects looked at the bike, then the abs, and said no thanks. Fixed the ABS and sold the bike. JON

[T__]

Jon, there is a difference between disabled ABS & no ABS.. Disabled means it’s broke,, removed means it isn’t there.. I wonder if your bike would have sold with the disabled ABS if you had lowered the price by $2,000.00.. The OP says a new controller is going to cost him $2,200.00 & I’m quite sure he can do a proper ABS removal for well under $200.00..

 

Twisty

 

[manofsteel1]

Is there anyone who can rebuild these units? ModuleMaster says they don't do the year 2002 RT. Got to be some cheaper way.

[ltljohn]

Yes there is a way to remove it. Here is a link that details how to remove it. Servoectomy

[MarkAZ]

Look for a used unit, maybe? There was one on the local Craigslist the other day for $300. Guaranteed to work, according to the ad.

 

If/when mine fails, I'll look for a used unit but most likely it'll just be removed.

[biometrics]

Before you start fretting about high cost and a servo-ectomy , how much diagnostics have you tried?

 

You didn't write anything about what your symptoms are... Do you have alternating ABS lights when you turn on the ignition (problem indicated), but before you attempt starting the bike? Or are both lights blinking simultaneously? (Which is the normal indication) Do the lights start alternate flashing as you drive away?

 

Have you even considered trying to reset your ABS yourself? This is not a difficult thing to do on a R1150RT. Sometimes the ABS fault can be something really simple.

 

Your ABS warning can be triggered if you knock a wheel sensor a little during a tire change, or let your brake fluid run low, but the worst and most likely cause is when your battery is beginning to die. Low voltage while starting can cause all kinds of sensor faults even if there is enough charge to start the bike.

 

 

The first thing to check is your battery. It should be at least 12 volts before you attempt to start, and should not fall below 10 volts during the cranking of the starter. If your no-load voltage is below 12, or your voltage drops below 10 volts while cranking the engine, try jump starting from an external battery, or a new battery. If your ABS symptoms persist, then read on.

 

IF your ABS lights flash simultaneously when you turn on the ignition then try this experiment. Take your bike for a ride on a decent straight road with little traffic and get it up to about 50 MPH in 3rd gear... Squeeze the clutch and then turn the ignition off for about 5 seconds. Then turn the ignition back on and release the clutch which will be the equivalent of push starting the motor. When the motor starts, are the ABS lights still flashing? or do they go out?

 

If the lights go out after the engine starts, you probably don't have an ABS controller failure... it is something more simple and much less expensive like the battery, or fluid level, or ABS sensor position.

 

Let us know the results of the above experiments. Chances are you won't have to do the servo-ectomy or replace the ABS module.

 

-John

 

 

[dirtrider]

Before you start fretting about high cost and a servo-ectomy , how much diagnostics have you tried?

 

 

 

 

Morning John

 

You do realize that you are replying to Chucks post from 03/14/10?

[biometrics]

DR, Actually no, I only read the last few responses and didn't take note that the OP started this thread in 2010. Thanks.

 

-John