hello, I’ve been away from the group for a couple of years, when I was last here my bike had developed the dreaded brake failure ABS light monster. The dealer diagnose. The problem is the brake modulator and for a small sum of $4000 it could be repaired, unfortunately for me at the time I had also developed a somewhat serious medical issue that needed attention more than my bike did. Suffice it to say I am doing better and trying to get my K 1200 S back on the road and I currently have the bike at an independent repair shop. Apparently an 06 is no longer current enough for the dealer to want to service it. Nonetheless, the independent shop has confirmed the brake module fault and we are going with a used, supposedly, proper working order unit. As an alternative, the shop is going to open my existing one up and see if they can spot the issue with it and attempt a repair if possible. Has anyone sent their break modules off to module masters and if so, how did that work out? Any information, comments in how to best move forward is appreciated. thanks in advance.
ABS brake module repair
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two K1300S bikes, S1000R & Vespa 150 Primavera clown paint job
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There are bypass kits from Germany and England. The bike functions without ABS quite well. If you do an advanced search by going to the three dots upper right of menu bar and type in key words then select the K12/13 group of bikes there are many evenings of reading on the subject.
Here is repair but if you search the site you can find their bypass modules. You need to keep the electronics either from your bike with the UK bypass modules or use the electronics furnished with the German kits. Lots of info out there.
rhelectronics.de
Here is repair but if you search the site you can find their bypass modules. You need to keep the electronics either from your bike with the UK bypass modules or use the electronics furnished with the German kits. Lots of info out there.
Motorcycle control units repair | All brands
Specialist company RH Electronics » Repair of motorcycle control units at a fixed price ✅ 24 months warranty ✅ Fast service: 1 working day
rhelectronics.de
Im in Idaho and Module Masters will no longer do those, at least thats what they told me last year. I went with the RH kit last year and it is a very well made unit which includes the electronics. There is another kit that uses the bikes stock electronics which you need to remove from the module. I would not trust another used unit unless you know that it works, and then expect a problem down the road. That module is a bear to remove and I would assume its a bear to put back in. The RH unit is fairly easy to put in. You could also just use your electronics and replace the hoses. They would feed directly from the master cylinders to the front brakes and rear brakes. A little bit more work but if you feel you need new hoses its an option. The front brakes work perfect on the K1200S without the module. The rear brakes you need to replace the 16mm MC with a 13MM master to provide positive braking. The 16mm just does not give you the proper force. Try it with the 16mm MC and you will see what I mean. You can buy a new MC from these guys.
I just completed an ABS-ectomy on my 2004 K1200RS. (See the thread [email protected]#$%ing ABS! in the K1200 Classic.). I used the Motor Works ABS Module Removal product. It uses the stock ABS ECU from the bike. Brake light, tail light, and cruise control operates as before. The brakes feel great and the cost was a lot less than a replacement module.
Thanks to everyone for chiming in, I appreciate the various sources to research; its good to know there are several ways to fix this malady, I’ll keep reading and post my progress. While I agree that ABS is not the end all be all, ABS on my ‘93 FJ 1200, I have no doubt is the reason Im still here today but, that’s another story not relevant other than it’s shaped some of my thinking to keeping the system.
If I had a reaonably priced choice, I would have kept mine, too. Including the new brake lines and shipping costs, I reckon, I'm into my removal for about $450 - $500 USD plus my time vs. $4,000USD.
Good luck! I hope you can find a reasonably priced fix.
Got a call from the shop, my bike is ready. The used abs module works and the bike is running great can’t wait to pick her up but it will be 3/30/23 before I can ho pick her up. Had them do the 18k service, now she needs new shoes. I look that up on the site to see what folks recommend for a good sport touring tires, I fsvor a hood weather tire. I’ll let you know how it goes with used abs unit.
Congrats! If you don’t mind sharing, what did the shop charge for the repairs, labour and material?
don’t mind sharing, presently I do not have the bill in front of me but initially I forked out right at $2000 to have the BMW service for all the lubricants on the bike, valves checked and oil change. Also had to have the valve cover gasket replaced as it had started leaking from sitting so long. The rear brake master caliper had frozen up as well and that had to be redone before they could test the ABS unit that came with the bike. The used ABS unit was about 650 and labor, fluids puts me at $900 +-. I haven’t looked yet, but I’m guessing tires are probably gonna run me about 300- 350 installed. definitely not a cheap repair but I’m glad to have everything back in spec where it should be and hopefully the ABS will serve me well. Time will tell on that. At some point they’re going to open my old ABS unit up and see if they can find the source of the problem, as I’ve read some have had issues with the electronics. They’re going to put that on hold for now as their business is starting to pick up quite a bit unless it becomes apparent that the used unit develops issues.
So all up for the ABS repairs , around $900USD. That's around $1400AUD, here. If I could have located a working I-ABS III module, I would have considered that option.
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Hello Mike.Ive got a K1200rs 2004 and am changing to' Rh second life' kit.Can you please give me some advice on how to get this f****ing original unit out.Look forward to getting your reply, yours kind regards from the French Alps.Simon.
Simon, I've posted the steps I used in the Technical, Repair and Maintenance forum. Happy to assist if needed.
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