K11 Owners Group

SugarHillCTD

The K1100RS that I bought last Fall is starting to come up with some minor to major electrical "glitches" that I think might be due to its age (15 years old), and I am pondering the idea of either a trade-in (before more stuff starts giving me headaches or leaves me stranded miles from home) or making the bike slightly less complex. Years ago, we would just ride our bikes, not have to spend all kinds of time diagnosing and fixing.

While the latest problem isn't the kind that will leave me walking, the ABS system is giving me fits. I have literally spent hours searching this and other forums for diagnostic info and have methodically worked my way through the system. I now suspect the ABS relay ("6 flashes") but prices for new major ABS items are nuts. Msrp of the two major pieces of the ABS system is more than I paid for the new '07 Kawasaki 250R last year!

Sure I know that there are used items for sale, but I have read enough posts about questionable function (such as those that post something like-is the part I bought on fleaBay good or not?).

Given that I started riding just when disc brakes were first used on motorcycles, I can live without ABS. Now I know someone will be horrified at my suggestion, but has anyone completely removed the ABS-I system from a K bike?

Yes, I do know that when it is functioning correctly it can be a significant safety feature. But right now I hate the whole thing- my sanity is at stake here.

I will be taking it to a great independent BMW wrench (Affordable Beemer Services) in 2 weeks. But if the $$$ start piling up, either the ABS or the whole bike has to go.

Sorry for the semi-rant, but when mechanical problems seem to occur for no reason at all (the ABS fault happened while I was having lunch between rides last Sunday), I get #%$@#$!!

Thanks,
John
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

John Clauss · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

Yes you can safely remove the ABS system, and it has been done by people on this very board. Mine is still working fine. Of course you will also be removing several pounds of stuff, which is not a bad thing at all. Considering that I have had the ABS activate on my bike only twice in 5 years I am not horrified at the suggestion. Good luck.
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1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6

It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al

wera32 · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:12 pm Post subject:

I removed mine several years ago and haven't missed it. I took off everything except the relays in the electronics box. I used the stock flexible rear brake line and I installed a teflon/stainless front line from the front master to the splitter at the fender and retained the lower two flexible lines. I got much better feel and control as well as losing weight ( though I really can't tell any difference). No bleeding headaches either. You won't believe how heavy those toothed rings on the wheels are!
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Paul - '93 K11/12RS (sold), 2002 R1100S BCP and '03 RC51 KOG 29

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:26 pm Post subject:

Just my English 2d worth. As it is a 93, I guess it has ABS 1, which IMNSHO is less reliable than ABS 2. I traded up to an ABS 2 K11 because in the long run it was a cheaper way to have a working ABS.
The diagnosis of #6 ABS relay (wherever that is) sounds to be a less expensive item (#7 is the one to make the sphyncter twitch). The ABS relay, is the device that operates the modulators & carries serious amps when operating. I would check the integrity of the wiring between ABS module & said relay, also test / replace the relay itself. If that fails, then ABS removal seems to be the next cheapest option. Perhaps someone closer than I could lend a relay to test / compare. Good Luck.
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Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

old guy old bike · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

The "brain" on mine went south on me. When I finally had enough of those blasted blinking lights I just took the "brain" out and taped over the connector. Brakes work fine, no more blinking lights and the indicator still works to tell me if the brake light burns out.

I have not removed the mechanical bits as I would still like to have ABS. One of these days I will find a unit at a price I am willing to pay. And yes, I am a cheap bastage.

Jeff
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1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

bmwmick · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:51 pm Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject:

AUSBRICK · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:47 am Post subject: Not horrified at all .

Gidday from downunder . I pulled mine off awhile ago and its the best thing I,ve done, lost a lot of weight &got better response & feel out of brakes .Its not that hard to do the backhose fit straight to the calliper with the front I removed the solid metal tubes & was able to connect the rubber hose to the tee join.For those who swear by abs I ask if its so good why hasn,t any other major manafactures bothered with it. Bit of a gimmick for sales ,more weight & shit to go wrong I reckon. Had me say Bye for now AUSBRICK MICK
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92k1100 lt with sidecar. 93K1100 CAFE..86K75C.95 k1100lt

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:30 am Post subject:

Gettin' closer and closer to Bye-Bye ABS.

Any good sources for stainless steel braided brakelines? If I'm going to do this, might as well bypass plain rubber lines altogether.

Looked in BMW ON and just found MaxMoto, but their site is pretty poor on info.

Any other ideas on sourcing S.S. hoses?

Thanks

John

BTW Johnny, I really do want to "stick with the brick"
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

bmwmick · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Not horrified at all .

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:19 am Post subject:

Does the BMW ABS suck? Yes, in many ways.

Has it saved me from at least one accident? YES. That one incident makes it worthwhile to me.

And chances are that if my K75RT had had ABS that I could've avoided dumping that bike on some very slick pavement.

I'm not a huge fan of it, but I am a believer.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

Mystic Red · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:10 pm Post subject:

1+++

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Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:07 pm Post subject:

Well, I have "gone down" once since 1978. On that occasion, NOTHING would have helped. Unseen dried diesel fuel and oil on concrete pavement, creeping forward at 5-10 mph in traffic, light braking and SLAM.

It took 2 others to help me get the bike back up since it was like trying to stand on wet ice wearing teflon boots- almost comical. I doubt anything would have kept me upright.

I'm willing to take my chances w/o ABS. My road tandem bicycle has 26mm tires and we have hit 50+ mph on downhill sections many times in the last 20 years. I'm still here.

Just my opinion.
John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Jim · Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject:

AUSBRICK · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:09 am Post subject: POST SCRIPT ON MY SAY

I ,ve remembered that you do need to get a short pipe with male ends made up for the front hoses to be joined.Most brake places can do it for a few bucks. As for the pro,s & cons of abs I think it,s a personel choice but my decision is reinforced every time I look at the tech page ,lots of "abs please helps " out there. cheers ausbrick mick
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92k1100 lt with sidecar. 93K1100 CAFE..86K75C.95 k1100lt

nickmakwell · Brick Rider Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 30

Ive decided to remove the ABS from my 93 K1100RS (naked) - save weight and get more feel from the front brake.

Also, Im putting a set of Renthal bars in for more upright position, so I need new front lines anyway - was going to go for one braided line each to the caliper but may do the mod AUSBRICK suggested.

And yeah, just use the original back brake line.

I read somewhere that the pumps and brain weigh around 11kg all up?

Add that to the near 20kg ive saved taking the fairing/side panels off, and the bike is getting quite lithe!!!

rover759 · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject:

I have been told ABS 2 failure is principally down to not religiously changing your brake fluid.
I bought a second hand unit from a BM breaker and all is fine,though motorworks sell a conversion kit to remove ABS if you desire.
ABS has saved me a few times - even once on a diesel spill in the wet - the choice is yours!!

nickmakwell · Brick Rider Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 30

removal is complete, just waiting on new braided front lines (2-2).
The removed components weigh approx. 12 kg (25lbs?) - the pumps, lines, computer, sensors etc. I was able to re-rig the back line from the pump straight to the caliper. Just need to bleed and its all good.

bike is almost finished, it has new headlight, indicators, Renthal bars and single seat conversion. Just waiting on some mirrors (that fit the BMW bits) and the front lines.

Oh and a roadworthy!!!

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:04 am Post subject:

Haven't posted RE: the ABS on our K.

When I had posted my "hate the ABS", I had temporarily used the fast and dirty fix- 2 pieces of electrical tape over the blinking lights.

Then a few weeks later I was riding on a very overcast day and just happened to look around the edge of the tape and...............

NO BLINKING ABS LIGHTS!! The bike fixed itself!!!!!!!!!!!! Working as it should. Been 100% since- although now that I am writing this I expect to start the bike today and have blinking lights again- jinxing myself.

I still have a problem with the #1 fuse- occasionally it will blow one fuse, then the replacement within a few minutes then be OK for several weeks (checked the rear brake wiring already) and the sidestand switch is no more.

I really was starting to think that the bike was possessed by a newer version of Lucas Electrics (aka Prince of Darkness).

So for now the ABS can stay- temporary reprive from the governor....but it is on probation.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

CheapJapCopy · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:45 am Post subject:

ABS = PITA

I was glad when mine failed completely because it spent ages being flakey, and when I was say, holding myself on a hill, it would disengage the brakes. Mmmm. Until I get around to removing mine, I'm making use of some black electrical tape to stop the flashing lights Laughing

Oddly, I seem to have ABS1 on a '95 bike. I have the FAG bean-cans..

EDIT: Note to Brits - I found out that flashing ABS lights are an MOT failure, which is bloody annoying. Try to at least stop the lights flashing when getting your bike inspected. HTH
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1992 K1100RS - Red and gold.