K11 Owners Group

rbeetsme · Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Indianapolis, IN

My front brakes locked up yesterday, couldn't move the bike at all. Managed to crank it hard and got it into a parking lot. This morning I bled some fluid out and managed to get about 3 miles before it locked up again. I bled a lot more and got it the last 2 miles home. I never touched the brake lever, why did it lock up? I checked the lines, not pinched or swollen, what do I need to do? Bike has about 23,000 miles, always garaged.
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1993 K11RS black graphite

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject:

MY first guess would be sitcking calipers.
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93 LT (x2)
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86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
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91 & 92 K75Ss
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Off the grid · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject:

Hey man welcome to the site and whatnot.
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
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Jim · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:06 pm Post subject: front brake lock up

has any work been done on the master cylinder?

A couple of us here had lock up after rebuilding the front mc.

Have the brake lines been changed? Do you change brake fluid every year?

Welcome to K11.
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Saltcreek · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject: Re: Front brake lock-up

rbeetsme · Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Indianapolis, IN

More info: As I was exiting the freeway, I'm sure I was braking, but I could tell something was wrong. When the light turned green, it would barely go, I thought it was cutting out at first, but then realized the front end wasn't moving. When I bled it this morning it freed up, but about 3 miles later I could tell it was locking up again, I wasn't braking at all, in fact, I was only using the rear brake after I bled it. My first thought was a pinched line, but all looks good. Both disks were hot, hot! That suggests to me that is in the line or brake cylinder. Fluid has not been changed in couple of years but bike hasn't been ridden much in the last couple of years. My gut instict is replace the lines, rebuild or clean the master cylinder, same with caliper, probably replace pads too since that is the cheapest of all. Disks look fine, not scored, don't appear warped. A friend suggested simply replacing the fluid. BTW: Thanks for the welcome, I joined probably 8 years ago but haven't logged on in a while.
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1993 K11RS black graphite

Jim · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:32 pm Post subject: front brake lock up

It's important to keep the brake fluid changed - I change it every year. A little moisture in there will mess things up pretty fast.

Does the brake lever return all the way?

With a bike that age, I wouldn't hesitate changing the lines and rebuilding the master cylinder.
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 10:43 pm Post subject:

My fronts do not release properly rolling forward, but just fine rolling backward. If I apply the the rears after applying the fronts, they release fine (suspension movement).

Cleaned calipers, master cylinder and changed fluid, but may not be getting them bled properly. Hard lever rather than spongey. Been quite frustrated, especially trying to keep up with competition on the Snake and the Dragon last month.

Hate like hell going for dealer service which is kind of an oxymoron in my area.
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jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject: Front brakes

I sort of had the same thing after bleeding the system. I set the brake lever free play too tight using that screw through the brake lever. Wanted a little quicker response. You guessed it, not enough free play. I did not make it a mile down the road. I could tell it was dragging, but by the time I turned around I only got a couple of hundred feet and the front tire was howling in protest. Brake rotors were aweful hot. Just put a tube on the speed bleeder and cracked it to relieve the pressure. Took that adjuster one full turn out. All AOK again. Got home from work that day & deglazed the rotors and put on new pads. Then re-bled the system again just cause it's easy and no trouble since.
I'm thinking with the heat & some moisture trapped in the system your getting a little expansion.
Make sure you have enough free play in the lever. Back that screw out a half turn and keep a close eye on it.
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1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
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dave n · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 12:28 am Post subject:

hfxrzw · Mad Brick Rider Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 78

How old are the lines? There are a number of stories about old lines collapsing internally and not allowing the fluid to return, therefore continuing and just building up the pressure further. As ide from the caliper job I would replace all the lines if old.

chrisk1100rs · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Front brake lock-up

rbeetsme · Joined: 23 Feb 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Indianapolis, IN

Well, to be safe I probably should replace the lines, rebuild the MC and calipers, replace the pads. I've never done this, difficult? Is there a preferred vendor? My dealer is not close and I noticed that stock pads were ridiculously high. Where do you folks shop for parts?
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1993 K11RS black graphite

chrisk1100rs · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:41 am Post subject:

I have not had a problem with my lines but have replaced seals on master cylinder and callipers . On you bike it could be possible you have to replace the master cylinder as seal kit not available for earley bikes . My machine is a 96 so it is possible that kit is avalable for yours. The difficult part is getting pistons out of callipers however if you have a friendly repair shop the will blow the pistons out with compressed air line for you after that all you have to do is clean the callipers up fit new seals and bleed the system.
Understand from a friend of mine that replacing lines is not a problem as he did it and he is not good in the workshop

ChrisK1100RS
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Stelth

Mystic Red · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:22 am Post subject:

rbeetsme, start with the caliper rebuild first. Clymers will walk you through it. 90% sure that will fix your problem. Pads are available on line. Do a search. EBays full of them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-K-1100-1200-K1100-K1200-K1-R850-FRONT-BRAKE-PADS_W0QQitemZ260455694920QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ca45e8248&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-FRONT-Brake-Pads-K-1100-LT-K1100-K1100LT-89-99_W0QQitemZ350239135536QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item518be11730&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

If you don't have a Clymers, get one as the manual really helps. Just double check crucial info as it's not infallible.
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Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
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Jim · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: front brake lock up

hirschhs · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject:

AUSBRICK · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 5:26 am Post subject:

I'd be looking at the callipers sounds like the pistons might be gummed up , if thats not it could be something in the abs unit can't help you with that . cheers mick
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92k1100 lt with sidecar. 93K1100 CAFE..86K75C.95 k1100lt

tmoons · Flying Brick Rider Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Posts: 161

Sound to me like the thing I had…
The “short hoses” (caliper - Y splitter at the triple tree) had some internal failure (had it before with a car) the hose dissolved on the inside and created a very efficient 1 way valve.
I took the calipers apart (left the pistons in, no need to fiddle with them I think) and cleaned it all out, replaced the hoses (BMW originals, about 110 dollar… better look out for some universal replacements…much cheaper!!)

And all is well again.

Terry in Australia · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 3 Location: MELBOURNE

G'Day Guys, I've just replaced all my front brake hoses with new braided stainless lines from Motobins, and I bought a "Mityvac" bleeding tool to bleed the brakes, what is the procedure for bleeding the brakes on my 1992 K1100LT with ABS1? Do I need to bleed the ABS modulator? Cheers, Terry. Twisted Evil