Thanks for the video! Now that the i-BMW forum has disappeared, this information is no longer available, other than your video. I lost my instructions. This got me back into it.
Thanks a lot for the video. I bought a special bottle instead the funnel and followed your instructions carefully. After 1h everything done, no fluid anywhere on the bike or the garage, just perfect! Cost for the bottle plus the fluid was about equal to having it done at BMW once. Greetings from Germany.
Thanks for your diligence in getteing the tutorial out.I added Stainless Speiglers to our 04 ABS III and your instruction really helped.It took two full cycles to get the circuits bleed but bike is back together and brakes as good as ever.Don't get the spacer but I can see if your adding new pads all around it could help
Thank you Great help, Im converting a LT to trike and adding 2 rear calipers was worrying me, as i was about to start I found a leak in front flexi too so now have to bleed all, Thank you
What is the small reservoir on the right side of the bike just beneath the seat? I removed this for the brake service just as you did on your video. But I am not sure what goes in here. TIA.
Thanks Kontor for the video. I have an issue and I hope you still monitor these comments. New pads and Spiegler lines on my 04 K1200GT. Bled front left, front right, and back per video. Seemed to work fine. Bike on the stand, front and rear brakes activate with key on and pressing the front hand brake lever. However, rear brakes will not activate with key on or off using the rear pedal. I have not bled my abs unit yet. Is this normal? Thank you for the help.
Are there universal part numbers for the speed bleeders you could leave in front and back? Mind you I have a K1200LT. And for the front / clutch filler? Thanks excellent video.
Kris, yes I leave my calipers mounted while bleeding. You can only do this if you make a shim that can straddle the rotor, or make two individual blocks to go on each side of the rotor once you push your pistons back. Otherwise you will need to take off the calipers and stick a 1" wide block or several shims to hold the pistons back while bleeding. It's just quicker for me to leave them mounted and now I made my shims for next time. The rear flashing tail light bulb is from Www.pirateslair.com are called Kisan Tailblazers bulbs with circuit mounted in the base of the bulb (you can replace just the bulb and leave the base) they are very visible at night, one flick of the brake handle and they flash rapidly for a couple of seconds to keep people away from you that follow too close. If you press and hold the lever, it flashes at first then becomes solid until u release the brake handle. A must have in my opinion. I also has a couple small led blocks that also flash, but not as bright?
Very good videos. Thanks a bunch. I'm applying them to my 2002 r1150rt. I also have the factory instructions. I think its all the same except the rt doesn't appear to have a speed fill port. I could be wrong there. I'm considering replacing all my lines with steel braided. If I do that, how bad is it for the ABS module to drain. Is there danger in that? I understand it would need a full bleeding. I'm a bit paranoid I could break something that would basically total my bike. I've bleed plenty of traditional brakes though. Thanks again.
Don’t need the spacer if you put in Nee brake pads. Do you really need to push the pistons all the way back?? Up to you. You could crack the bleeder while pushing pistons back to drain that little bit of fluid. Then put whatever brake pads you had installed back in. Mine were still good so I went with the shimming method.
i was wondering if you might know whats wrong with my bmw k1200rs. it fell, while running, to the right on wet grass. started perfect now wont start, no visible damage. any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank You Kontor for answer.That with shims i understand.I ask or you leave speedbleeders after bleeding mounted on callipers instead original bmw bleeders.Another: i can use more times one speedbleeder? Scrow in scrow out? On pirateslair i find only clothing:) You cold show how can bleeding clutch circuit?
K1200RS 2002 with brembo calipers . does not have servo assistant? i am looking to buy a k1200rs but i want with out servo,do you know which RS do not have a servo brakes? regards
Thanks for the great video. I have a 2002 that I am in the process of flushing all of the brake fluid, not looking forward to flushing the abs unit. Anyway, I'm curious what the purpose of removing the brake pads and using shims is. Why not just keep the brake pads installed?
The reason they recommend removing brake pads and installing shims is to push the caliper Pistons all the way back as far as they can go, so that most of the old fluid gets removed. If you leave old worn pads in it will trap some old fluid in the system.is it completely necessary? If you have just put in new pads I would say just leave them in place as the new pads serve the same purpose as pushing back the piston in the caliper. You really want to prevent an dirty fluid from getting into the ABS unit. Another reason to get as much old fluid out is due to the old fluid absorption of water over time.
First does the engine crank at all? Do you get the normal lights and the sound of the fuel pump running for a couple of seconds when the key is first turned on? If it doesn't crank at all but lights and fuel pump make normal sound. Maybe the right handle bar kill switch got damaged or moved off center? I leave my kill switch alone in the center position and when someone moves it I wonder what the heck is going on! Or side stand switch could cause no crank. Battery connection? Since it did fall! Maybe grass or dirt is keeping side stand switch down just enough to engage side stand switch? If the engine cranks but won't start it's either no fuel or no ignition. Maybe dirt clogged the fuel tank breather tube which I believe runs to the bottom of the bike somewhere. Maybe try opening the fuel cap while starting? To check spark you would need to remove your spark plug and jumper the spark plug body to a good engine ground while cranking. If it is cranking when you remove the spark plug see if the tip is wet with fuel. Which would mean you got fuel but no spark. Hope it's something simple!
Richard. See part 2. K1200RS Wheel circuit bleeding which is for the ABS unit bleeding. A bit more involved but doable. The video I made what my first time doing it!
Why do you use spacers in the caliper instead of just leaving the pads in, maybe new pads would be better (than old)? I guess the spacers are intended to keep the caliper bores evacuated for more thorough flush?
You are correct. New pads would probably do the same thing. Is it totally necessary? Probably not. Was just following the manual instructions. Pushing pistons all the way back just gets most of the old fluid out of where it could remain if you left old worn pads in place with pistons extended. Also while pushing pistons back you can possibly find a seized caliper piston. (If your pads are unevenly worn) thanks for the comment.
Try this web site kisantech.com/ which is the manufacturer of the blinking bulbs. Cheaper too! Yes the speed bleeders can be used over and over! If you replace the front and back caliper regular bleeders with speed bleeders, just leave them in so it will be easier to bleed next time. I plan on making a video of bleeding the clutch circuit soon. I just have to edit the video I took. I will do it soon!
I don't think so. Turn your key to the on position and just press your brake. If you hear a pump running each time you press your brake (either hand or foot brake) then you have servo assured brakes. Otherwise you have regular brakes and bleeding is much simpler.
Thanks for the video! Now that the i-BMW forum has disappeared, this information is no longer available, other than your video. I lost my instructions. This got me back into it.
Thanks a lot for the video. I bought a special bottle instead the funnel and followed your instructions carefully. After 1h everything done, no fluid anywhere on the bike or the garage, just perfect! Cost for the bottle plus the fluid was about equal to having it done at BMW once. Greetings from Germany.
Thanks for your diligence in getteing the tutorial out.I added Stainless Speiglers to our 04 ABS III and your instruction really helped.It took two full cycles to get the circuits bleed but bike is back together and brakes as good as ever.Don't get the spacer but I can see if your adding new pads all around it could help
Fantastic, Clear instructions. Thank you from a UK K1200RS owner.
Hey, well done and to the point.
Thanks!
Hope the knee is doing better.
Thank you , from a german K1200RS owner too!
My pleasure Aurthur! Glad you found it useful!
Thank you Great help, Im converting a LT to trike and adding 2 rear calipers was worrying me, as i was about to start I found a leak in front flexi too so now have to bleed all, Thank you
What is the small reservoir on the right side of the bike just beneath the seat? I removed this for the brake service just as you did on your video. But I am not sure what goes in here. TIA.
Thanks Kontor for the video. I have an issue and I hope you still monitor these comments. New pads and Spiegler lines on my 04 K1200GT. Bled front left, front right, and back per video. Seemed to work fine. Bike on the stand, front and rear brakes activate with key on and pressing the front hand brake lever. However, rear brakes will not activate with key on or off using the rear pedal. I have not bled my abs unit yet. Is this normal? Thank you for the help.
Very pedagogik. Thank you.
The video was super helpful to me .....what size have the funnel?
My bike had it’s ABS removed before I got it. My rear brake reservoir is empty but the brake still works.. how? And should I bleed/fill it?
Are there universal part numbers for the speed bleeders you could leave in front and back? Mind you I have a K1200LT. And for the front / clutch filler? Thanks excellent video.
Kris, yes I leave my calipers mounted while bleeding. You can only do this if you make a shim that can straddle the rotor, or make two individual blocks to go on each side of the rotor once you push your pistons back. Otherwise you will need to take off the calipers and stick a 1" wide block or several shims to hold the pistons back while bleeding. It's just quicker for me to leave them mounted and now I made my shims for next time. The rear flashing tail light bulb is from Www.pirateslair.com are called Kisan Tailblazers bulbs with circuit mounted in the base of the bulb (you can replace just the bulb and leave the base) they are very visible at night, one flick of the brake handle and they flash rapidly for a couple of seconds to keep people away from you that follow too close. If you press and hold the lever, it flashes at first then becomes solid until u release the brake handle. A must have in my opinion. I also has a couple small led blocks that also flash, but not as bright?
Why can’t you do this with the brake pads in? Dont see the difference from the shim.
Very good videos. Thanks a bunch. I'm applying them to my 2002 r1150rt. I also have the factory instructions. I think its all the same except the rt doesn't appear to have a speed fill port. I could be wrong there. I'm considering replacing all my lines with steel braided. If I do that, how bad is it for the ABS module to drain. Is there danger in that? I understand it would need a full bleeding. I'm a bit paranoid I could break something that would basically total my bike. I've bleed plenty of traditional brakes though. Thanks again.
Don’t need the spacer if you put in Nee brake pads. Do you really need to push the pistons all the way back?? Up to you. You could crack the bleeder while pushing pistons back to drain that little bit of fluid. Then put whatever brake pads you had installed back in. Mine were still good so I went with the shimming method.
My 2004 k1200rs. Needs a good service. . Thanks
2003. Typo
Hi
Front bleeders you leave constantly mounted in callipers?
i was wondering if you might know whats wrong with my bmw k1200rs. it fell, while running, to the right on wet grass. started perfect now wont start, no visible damage. any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank You Kontor for answer.That with shims i understand.I ask or you leave speedbleeders after bleeding mounted on callipers instead original bmw bleeders.Another: i can use more times one speedbleeder? Scrow in scrow out?
On pirateslair i find only clothing:) You cold show how can bleeding clutch circuit?
And tell me what a bulb you have for stop light? this flashing is great:)
K1200RS 2002 with brembo calipers . does not have servo assistant? i am looking to buy a k1200rs but i want with out servo,do you know which RS do not have a servo brakes? regards
Thanks for the great video. I have a 2002 that I am in the process of flushing all of the brake fluid, not looking forward to flushing the abs unit. Anyway, I'm curious what the purpose of removing the brake pads and using shims is. Why not just keep the brake pads installed?
The reason they recommend removing brake pads and installing shims is to push the caliper Pistons all the way back as far as they can go, so that most of the old fluid gets removed. If you leave old worn pads in it will trap some old fluid in the system.is it completely necessary? If you have just put in new pads I would say just leave them in place as the new pads serve the same purpose as pushing back the piston in the caliper. You really want to prevent an dirty fluid from getting into the ABS unit. Another reason to get as much old fluid out is due to the old fluid absorption of water over time.
First does the engine crank at all? Do you get the normal lights and the sound of the fuel pump running for a couple of seconds when the key is first turned on? If it doesn't crank at all but lights and fuel pump make normal sound. Maybe the right handle bar kill switch got damaged or moved off center? I leave my kill switch alone in the center position and when someone moves it I wonder what the heck is going on! Or side stand switch could cause no crank. Battery connection? Since it did fall! Maybe grass or dirt is keeping side stand switch down just enough to engage side stand switch? If the engine cranks but won't start it's either no fuel or no ignition. Maybe dirt clogged the fuel tank breather tube which I believe runs to the bottom of the bike somewhere. Maybe try opening the fuel cap while starting? To check spark you would need to remove your spark plug and jumper the spark plug body to a good engine ground while cranking. If it is cranking when you remove the spark plug see if the tip is wet with fuel. Which would mean you got fuel but no spark. Hope it's something simple!
What about using silicon brake fluid?
Great video. What about bleeding the fluid out of the front brake master cylinder? Or am I missing something.
Richard. See part 2. K1200RS Wheel circuit bleeding which is for the ABS unit bleeding. A bit more involved but doable. The video I made what my first time doing it!
Why the spacer??just install new pads prior??
Why do you use spacers in the caliper instead of just leaving the pads in, maybe new pads would be better (than old)? I guess the spacers are intended to keep the caliper bores evacuated for more thorough flush?
You are correct. New pads would probably do the same thing. Is it totally necessary? Probably not. Was just following the manual instructions. Pushing pistons all the way back just gets most of the old fluid out of where it could remain if you left old worn pads in place with pistons extended. Also while pushing pistons back you can possibly find a seized caliper piston. (If your pads are unevenly worn) thanks for the comment.
Thank you, that was good question coz I was wondering why he need the wood instead on the new pads.
Try this web site kisantech.com/ which is the manufacturer of the blinking bulbs. Cheaper too! Yes the speed bleeders can be used over and over! If you replace the front and back caliper regular bleeders with speed bleeders, just leave them in so it will be easier to bleed next time. I plan on making a video of bleeding the clutch circuit soon. I just have to edit the video I took. I will do it soon!
Does my 1998 K1200RS has the same braking system as your bike?
I don't think so. Turn your key to the on position and just press your brake. If you hear a pump running each time you press your brake (either hand or foot brake) then you have servo assured brakes. Otherwise you have regular brakes and bleeding is much simpler.
Kalimera! Thanks Pete
tail blazer i have find:) com=net:)