Is it worth fixing the ABS?

[beemuker]

I recently acquired a 92 K75s. I bought it knowing the ABS didn't work. I'm pretty happy with the brakes like they are. Maybe I don't know better? It looks to me it's like insurance, it costs you when it's not needed but pays for itself if it is? The seller said it's a bad module. He took it ot BMW to have it diagnosed and they prob told him it would be 2 million to fix it. Looks like some one is rebuilding them and selling them used. advice? If I decide not to fix it, can I take the abs parts off. 

[koapono]

you'll get a ton of opinions going either way, some have strong feelings about ABS and others are ambivalent. I fall into the category of: they're great if they work otherwise it's excess weight.
i bought a 94 with faulty ABS, used the information available on this site to troubleshoot and diagnose. ended up being a faulty control unit/modulator and i didn't wish to spring the money for new or rebuilt unit, plus the system seems fraught with problems if you're to believe half of what you read here so i decided to remove ABS system from bike . That said, I removed all components (modulator, wheel rings, sensors and decals) and wiring and replaced original brake lines with stainless steel flex-lines, had them made at local hydraulics shop. Works great and easy to do if you are a semi-talented wrench turner.
You may run into a problem if your state requires safety inspection and your inspector is OCD type. I live in virginia which has an annual safety inspection but my inspector does a walk-around looking at lights, horn, tires, brake-pad thickness, brake lights and directionals. you may run into a problem if you get into an accident and insurance inspector discovers your ABS is gone or non-functional.
I never had ABS on a motorcycle so don't miss it. I hope to never be in a situation where I need it, i've been riding some sort of two-wheel contraption since the mid-60's and have found that paying attention and maintaining a safe distance usually negates the need for hard braking.
I know this will generate all sorts of replies but in the end it becomes a personal decision.
photos are of junk removed and new brake lines.

 

[Chaos]

Plenty of bikes out there without ABS.  Also, ABS is no guarantee you won't crash, just improves your odds in certain situations.  Nice if it worked, but I'd probably not bother fixing it.

[beemuker]

thanks, I think I'll take it off when I get a chance. but I' ve got other things to do , like put the new shock  on.

[Elipten]

The new Japanese ABS systems are great.  The old BMW system prone to age issues. I side with it being crapola and removing.

[mystic red]

Saved my ass a couple of times and more importantly, my wife's......you guys that think it's a luxury try a hard brake over a wet manhole cover or road paint in the rain...guaranteed you'll be balled up in a fetal position waiting for EMTs.

[Motorhobo]

ABS is always worth fixing -- my $0.02...

[Scott_]

A 92 k75 is most likely an ABS1 system, and I believe that they are more economical to repair than the ABS2 on the later bikes.
I've read many positive stories/results of Tosi's repair/rebuild of ABS1 controllers.
http://bmwk10075abs1fix.web.fc2.com/

[TimTyler]

My ABS v1 was working fine when I removed it from the bike to save weight.

How costly is it to have a dealer test the brain/controller?

[beemuker]

My ABS v1 was working fine when I removed it from the bike to save weight.

How costly is it to have a dealer test the brain/controller?

it was tested and found defective by the former owner

[Novafrk]

Saved my ass a couple of times and more importantly, my wife's......you guys that think it's a luxury try a hard brake over a wet manhole cover or road paint in the rain...guaranteed you'll be balled up in a fetal position waiting for EMTs.

What's your guarantee pay out if we're not in the fetal position? Just keeping my options open. ;-)

(The preceding was an attempt at a joke. (Please refrain from being upset by it.  :musicboohoo: Thank you Mngmt.)

[TimTyler]

...it was tested and found defective by the former owner...

The reason I asked is so I can have mine officially tested before selling so that I can offer it AS-IS. I don't want to sell it, have it damaged by the buyer, and then returned as "not working".

[Chaos]

Saved my ass a couple of times and more importantly, my wife's......you guys that think it's a luxury try a hard brake over a wet manhole cover or road paint in the rain...guaranteed you'll be balled up in a fetal position waiting for EMTs.

What's your guarantee pay out if we're not in the fetal position? Just keeping my options open. ;-)

(The preceding was an attempt at a joke. (Please refrain from being upset by it.  :musicboohoo: Thank you Mngmt.)

Ha ha.   Done my share of sliding on slippery stuff.  My only bad dump was getting blindsided by a deer, ABS wouldn't have done squat.  Hurt too much to ball up in fetal position.

[mystic red]

http://www.ibmwr.org/prodreview/abstests.html

Do a search on "motorcycle ABS test" and see what comes up. The link above is my favorite for the knuckleheads on this site because it uses bikes from our era, including a BMW. Now I've led you to water, let's see if you drink. :yes

[The Mighty Gryphon]

First part of article has 9 riders traveling approx 27,000 miles or an average of 3,000 miles per rider.  8 out of 9 reported they would have had an accident had it not been for ABS. 

Does this mean that the typical rider has an 88% chance of a brake lockup causing an accident every 3,000 miles he rides?!   Holy f-ing crap!!!   At 10,000+ miles a year, I should be dead right now!

[beemuker]

http://www.ibmwr.org/prodreview/abstests.html

Do a search on "motorcycle ABS test" and see what comes up. The link above is my favorite for the knuckleheads on this site because it uses bikes from our era, including a BMW. Now I've led you to water, let's see if you drink. :yes

INTERESTING. I still think I'll take it off. it looks so clunky.

[Chaos]

If I had ABS, I'm sure there would have been many times it would have saved my life.  It is fun to use in the snow with the car, but easy to start depending on it instead of more attentive driving.  Don't get me wrong, it's a lifesaver in certain situations.  But I don't got it.  :falldown:

[TimTyler]

Do a search on "motorcycle ABS test" and see what comes up...

If this in reply to my comment, I should have been more clear. (and I don't mean to sidetrack this thread.)

I meant that I have an ABS brain / computer that I want to have tested so that I can sell it. I know it's working because the ABS worked great before I removed it from the bike.

[mystic red]

Not at all Tim....

[Stickersman]

As a side note for those that will include cosmetics into ABS maintenance, I have ABS logo and fork stickers for all K bikes:

ABS logo sticker http://www.heritagestickers.eu/cat/?product=abs-sticker-for-k100-k75-k1
ABS fork stickers http://www.heritagestickers.eu/cat/?product=k100-and-k1100-abs-fork-sticker



And many other stickers for your flying brick.

Send in your inquiry, happy to help!

[Motorhobo]

As a side note for those that will include cosmetics into ABS maintenance, I have ABS logo and fork stickers for all K bikes:

ABS logo sticker http://www.heritagestickers.eu/cat/?product=abs-sticker-for-k100-k75-k1
ABS fork stickers http://www.heritagestickers.eu/cat/?product=k100-and-k1100-abs-fork-sticker



And many other stickers for your flying brick.

Send in your inquiry, happy to help!

Now that's awesome -- I've been wondering how to get that looking good. Not that I'm really too concerned with it looking good right now -- but I can see myself being concerned about it in the future. This resource should be in the Library.

[Stickersman]

Now that's awesome -- I've been wondering how to get that looking good. Not that I'm really too concerned with it looking good right now -- but I can see myself being concerned about it in the future. This resource should be in the Library.

Thank you very much for putting me in the Library, honoured!
Anyway, there'd should be some happy customers reading this forum too :)

[stokester]

ABS is always worth fixing -- my $0.02...

Agreed, I'll add my $.02 to the conversation as well.

I fixed mine with Tosi's repair of its brain and it has worked ever since.

Although I've ridden tens of thousands of miles without it, I will take any advantage in an emergency braking situation.

[ccarlsonnh]

To me, having ABS is sort of like wearing good gear.  Might never need it but, if I do, will be really glad it's there. Mine hasn't broken (yet?) but will have it repaired if it does.  ;-)

[bikesnbones]

I don't know how the laws work where you live, but in the UK, if you disconnect abs you could be opening a can of worms.
The way insurers see it, is that no matter how well they work without abs, if it's fitted at the factory then it must be working, otherwise the brakes are classed as defective.
I only know this because someone I knew had a collision with a bus that pulled out on him.
He had disconnected the abs.
He slid, ended up underneath the vehicle and sustained life changing injuries.
Because of the severity of the crash, the bike was thoroughly examined by the insurers, and the modification was found.
His insurance was declared null and void.
I ran it by my insurers some time back, because the abs on my Yamaha is obsolete and it's impossible to buy replacement parts.
I was informed that provided I had the de commissioning work done by a qualified VAT registered mechanic, could provide a detailed receipt of works, and have an MOT test done immediately afterward, then that would be OK.
Moral of the story is, run it by your insurance company.

To me, having ABS is sort of like wearing good gear.  Might never need it but, if I do, will be really glad it's there. Mine hasn't broken (yet?) but will have it repaired if it does.  ;-)

Exactly

Just because you wear sturdy protective gear when you go out, doesn't mean you take any less care when you ride.
You don't depend on it.
It's just a useful layer of protection for when you get it wrong, just like abs.