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Author Topic: Another ABS post - MOT time!  (Read 23094 times)

Offline Zipster

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 203
Another ABS post - MOT time!
« on: February 01, 2014, 07:30:46 PM »
Ok so I know this topic has been done to death but I'm looking a little bit of help here from the UK folks.

My 1996 K1100LT SE is up for it's annual inspection (MOT test as it's known in the UK) but I have an ABS fault showing when I ride in that that lights continue to flash. The previous owner informed me that this was from a damaged front sensor.

If I arrive at the MOT centre and turn off the bike before entering, I could bluff them that the bike hasn't gone fast enough to turn off the diagnostic lights and hope that they didn't test it any further.

As an alternative, I could pull out the ABS relay and have no ABS lights showing for the test at all!!

The third option is to fix the ABS but I don't have the time at the moment, although I do have a front ABS sensor on order but I doubt if it will be fitted in time.

I'm inclined towards the second option as the safest bet to keeping the bike roadworthy (as per the regs) so where do I find the relay to pull and will the bike brake and respond as normal when it's pulled?

All help and advice greatly appreciated with many thanks  :2thumbup:
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  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
Add life to your days, not days to your life!

Offline wmax351

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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2014, 08:54:32 PM »
I'd just do the second option. You might even just be able to blow the ABS fuse and not need to pull anything.


I'm not too familiar on the ABS on these bikes, as mine does not have it. The sensor should be a relatively quick fix though.
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  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

Offline WayneDW

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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2014, 08:57:22 PM »
That's what I would do too, just disconnect it.  If asked I'd point out that the ABS system was an option and there are plenty of motorcycles riding around without them. But of course, I'm not aware of the rules where you live.

The brain for the ABS is in the tail section behind the seat.  Probably could disconnect the whole works there.  Also, I recall reading here that the ABS connections under the tank are blue in color and could be disconnected there as well.
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  • Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • 1992 K75RT

Offline Inge K.

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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2014, 09:14:33 PM »
To turn off the ABS warning lamps, it isn't enough to remove the relay.....which is the only blue relay in
the relay box.........that would only turn off the left warning lamp.

To turn off the RHS warning lamp, you need to disconnect the ABS ECU...the connector you find under
the LHS battery cover.

Some info about fault code readout and resetting ABS: http://www.largiader.com/abs/absfault.html
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Offline Snowy

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2014, 03:18:59 AM »
Even though I don't have a problem with my ABS I've never had an issue come MOT time as the tester doesn't take the bike out and ride it. As you say, the lights flash anyway until its been ridden to 2 or 3 mph. Out of interest, are both lights flashing together or alternately?
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  • Marlborough, UK
  • 1994 K1100RS & 2008 R1200GSA & 1980 CB900FA

Offline Zipster

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 203
Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2014, 03:56:36 AM »
Thanks for the replies folks. Snowy, the lights flash alternately but continue to do so when ridden. Pressing the ABS switch stops the flash and leaves a steady red on the rhs for 4 - 5 minutes before the flashing returns. Previous owner told me that the front sensor had been mangled by an inexperienced mechanic replacing the sensor without the spacing shim hence the need for a new sensor. Having said that I haven't been able to read the diagnostics plug as I've no led or analogue multimeter.
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  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
Add life to your days, not days to your life!

Offline Grim

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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2014, 07:44:17 AM »
On my 95 the ECM was hosed from somebody leaving the main ground off the starter and it pulled ground back through the ABS.
I killed mine by pulling two relays. If you get the cover off the relay box and put your fingers on each relay while they are flashing you will find both relays.
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1995 Morea Green K1100LT

Offline Motorhobo

  • +25 years of K75
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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2014, 08:24:28 AM »
There's the ultra-cheap option, less than $0.0001 -- a slice of black electrical tape over the flashing light and ride without ABS. You wouldn't be the first.

BTW -- I had rear ABS problems several years ago and it turned out to be a break in the cable between modulator and sensor along the driveshaft, although the fault was showing sensor. Cut cable, butt-splice and good as new for over 6 years now.

Van
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1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline Zipster

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Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2014, 06:41:11 PM »
Ok so I did a read out from the diagnostic plug and got a code 7 - ABS brain fault. Have managed to source a working ABS brain and should have it in a couple of days. Any hints, tips or advice for fitting the new unit would be greatly appreciated
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  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
Add life to your days, not days to your life!

Offline Inge K.

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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2014, 02:54:49 PM »
To detach the ABS ECU from the hydraulic unit you need a offset tri wing bit, see picture.

When reading the fault code...you did count the dips, and not the tops?
Do you got a healthy battery?........a weak battery can also produce a fault #7.
Have you tried a (or several) reset?
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Offline Zipster

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Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2014, 06:57:07 PM »
Yes counted the dips. Battery is good and is on an optimiser. Tried a reset but no joy. May try a reset and then try reading for a fault code again.
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  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
Add life to your days, not days to your life!

Offline mystic red

  • Retired Professsional Driver
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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2014, 09:31:50 PM »
Reset, reset and reset again....sometimes it take many multiple times.
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Offline Zipster

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 203
Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #12 on: February 08, 2014, 09:10:24 PM »
Yeah did multiple resets - still showing code 7 fault!
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  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
Add life to your days, not days to your life!

Offline Zipster

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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #13 on: February 21, 2014, 01:20:46 PM »
Ok MOT test was today. I pulled the blue ABS relay and disconnected the multiplug from the ABS brain so there were no ABS lights on the dash. Tester checked all and then told me that there was no ABS light on the dash so the PO must have disconnected the light and he stopped the test!! My old certificate is valid for a few days yet but I need to get the problem sorted. I've managed to source a complete brain and modulator from a working bike. Anyone any tips on swapping out the modulators, wiring the control box, bleeding the system etc? All help greatly appreciated.
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  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
Add life to your days, not days to your life!

Offline wmax351

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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2014, 04:41:26 PM »
You could possibly try option 1. Or go to a different MOT center.


Another option would be to emulate the ABS light. I could write you a program for an Arduino that would make it look like your ABS worked.


I'm not too familiar on the ABS system, but there should be some posts on here.


Edit: http://www.bmbikes.org.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=17227


Seems like the first option would work well. Shut it off, they are just looking for the fault light, and can't ride it.

http://www.motuk.com/Motorcycle%20MOT.asp


It seems the brake testing device, if used, only does one wheel at a time, which won't activate the ABS.

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  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

Offline Zipster

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 203
Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #15 on: February 22, 2014, 08:39:47 PM »
Well I've taken out the troublesome ABS brain and modulator unit and that was a task in itself. Had to remove the motronic unit, the water tank, and the battery before I could manoeuvre the old unit out and disconnect the wiring. Refitting the new unit was pretty much a breeze and all is now in place and ready to change the brake fluid tomorrow. All being well I should gave working ABS tomorrow lunchtime. I powered the bike up as a check and got a steady led from the diagnostic plug indicating no fault codes. Wish me luck!!
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  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
Add life to your days, not days to your life!

Offline Zipster

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 203
Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #16 on: February 23, 2014, 06:35:47 AM »
I have to say, bleeding the modulator wasn't the easiest job with a few contortions pulled and a few brake fluid spills but the job is done and the brake fluid changed and all air bled out.  :clap:

Checked the diagnostoics plug and steady light shown (no faults). Did an ABS reset just to be safe!  :2thumbup:

Fired up the bike and rode forward 20 feet and the ABS lights went out. Took her for a ride round the local streets. Stopped and started the engine and the bike behaved as it should. ABS - Fixed!! MOT test rebooked for tomorrow morning and I must say the brakes are a lot sharper than they were and the ABS is fully functional.  :bmwsmile

Fair play to Ebay user david_s_walker who was as good as his word and supplied a fully functional unit for £50 with free postage compared to other users looking in excess of £130 and then a further £30 for postage. Throughly recommended to other UK Ebayers (don't know if the free postage would extend to international buyers)  :2thumbup:
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  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
Add life to your days, not days to your life!

Offline Motorhobo

  • +25 years of K75
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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #17 on: February 23, 2014, 06:55:02 AM »
I'm amazed that your inspectors would care about the ABS. Here in US state Maryland the inspection consisted of taking the bike to a shop where the fellow said basically --OK, it has two wheels, it runs, it stops, lights work, looks like a motorcycle to me...Passed! If ABS isn't required equipment on motorcycles over there and the brakes function, what's the justification for a fail if the ABS doesn't work?

I know it's a rhetorical question, but I don't get it.
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1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline David_S_Walker

  • Old enough to know better!
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  • The Hokey Cokey - What if that is what life is all
Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #18 on: February 23, 2014, 08:46:41 AM »
Hello,

Glad I could be of help to user "Zipster" I personally think that the ABS is a ticking time bomb so it is good to see one bought back to life - I have a 22k K1100LT with working ABS - Long may it continue!

As a "hobby" I break the K1100 bikes that have passed their sell by date and am happy to send parts anywhere in the world where shipping doesn't prove prohibitive!

Look me up on eBay (david_s_walker) or write to me for cheaper prices  - david at fairseat dot com - I don't list all of my parts so if there is something you need then drop me a line and I will see if I can help

Thanking my new best friend "Zipster" for his recommendation

Best regards,

David
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  • Kent, SE England, United Kingdom
  • 1994 BMW K1100LT SE, 2006 BMW R1200S, 2006 KTM 400EXC
Owner of a K1100LT, R1200S, and a KTM 400EXC. My car is a Subaru Outback 3.0Rn!

Offline mystic red

  • Retired Professsional Driver
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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #19 on: February 23, 2014, 09:55:57 AM »
Welcome David, feel free to check in on us.....you might have some good fixin' tips as well. :welcome
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Offline David_S_Walker

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  • Posts: 23
  • The Hokey Cokey - What if that is what life is all
Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #20 on: February 23, 2014, 11:30:50 AM »
Thanks - I have lurked on here since last June - Took a while to post!!

Anything I can do to help anyone out I will try my best. I am not a trader - actually work in the UK Print trade! Just bought a K1100RS once as I wanted the wheels and well it spiralled from there! My partner says it is good to have a hobby - She does the Postage & Packing!

Best regards,

David
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  • Kent, SE England, United Kingdom
  • 1994 BMW K1100LT SE, 2006 BMW R1200S, 2006 KTM 400EXC
Owner of a K1100LT, R1200S, and a KTM 400EXC. My car is a Subaru Outback 3.0Rn!

Offline drut

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #21 on: February 23, 2014, 02:10:00 PM »
"Thanks - I have lurked on here since last June - Took a while to post!!

Anything I can do to help anyone out I will try my best. I am not a trader - actually work in the UK Print trade! Just bought a K1100RS once as I wanted the wheels and well it spiralled from there! My partner says it is good to have a hobby - She does the Postage & Packing!

Best regards,

David"

Nice,genuine guy to deal with:bought a pair of brake calipers from him & well pleased!

Kind regards: Duncan
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  • Newcastle upon Tyne UK
  • 1990 K100RS + 1980 Moto Guzzi V50 II + 1971 Aermacchi/HD 350ss
Much older but certainly no wiser!

Offline wmax351

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Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #22 on: February 23, 2014, 04:41:51 PM »
I'd be interested in seeing what the failures of the ABS units are internally, I could probably repair them. Has anyone looked into this? I've heard of a guy in Japan that does it.


EDIT: http://bmwk10075abs1fix.web.fc2.com/index.html


Here's the guy that does it.  18000 Yen, about 200 dollars.


I probably couldn't do all that he can, as he has some pretty serious hardware.


If anyone has a dead ABS Brain, I'd be interested in taking a look at it.
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  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

Offline johnny

  • TrailBrakingThrottleWhacker
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
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  • Whacking...n...Chopping Sliding...n...High Siding
Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #23 on: February 23, 2014, 06:25:01 PM »
we will try to getts you some abs brains there wmax351... im confident you will figger it out... aints been stumped yet...

proposed ibmwr ad... if i getts any takers will have them shipped directly to you...

how does this sound to you...

Category: Brick K- Bikes (Longitudinal Multis): parts wanted
Wanted ~ Inoperable ABS Brains K75 K100 K1 K1100
greetings... working on a project to repair abs brains... so we needs inoperable abs brains to gunny pig this deal... no promises... no guarantees... i pay shipping one way... hope for the best...
See more at <http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=5400.msg33972#msg33972>
Price: You Donate The ABS Brain I Pay Shipping One Way
Location: California
Contact: Johnny Owrstrich
E-mail: Johnny Owrstrich <johnny@motobrick.com>
Telephone: 317 432 6842

j o
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  • :johnny i parks my 96 eleven hundert rs motobrick in dodge county cheezconsin  :johnny

Offline Zipster

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 203
Re: Another ABS post - MOT time!
« Reply #24 on: February 23, 2014, 06:47:39 PM »

Quote from: Motorhobo on February 23, 2014, 06:55:02 AM
If ABS isn't required equipment on motorcycles over there and the brakes function, what's the justification for a fail if the ABS doesn't work?
Unfortunately if it's fitted to the bike, it must work. That's their rules and it applies to lights etc too. Thankfully my ABS now does work! Retest is at 10am tomorrow morning - I don't think there'll be any issues now.
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  • Northern Ireland
  • 1996 K1100 LT SE - sold with 104,500 miles in 2015; 2001 R1150RT - 68,000 miles; 2013 Triumph Trophy SE - 50,000 miles; 2007 Harley Ultra Classic - 50,000 miles (Canada bike for stateside use only)
Add life to your days, not days to your life!
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