Older (!) brother has a 2001 R1150GS, which has been sitting for
a while. When it came time to load it into the trailer while moving
house, it displayed a remarkable lack of braking, which is to say none.
The lever does get slightly firmer after repeated pumping, so I'm
pretty sure it's got air in the lines, somehow.

This is pre-"EVO" assisted brakes, but it does have ABS, I believe it
is the "ABSII" system. His Clymer manual is rather detailed on all
brake maintenance and repair procedures, but consistently declares
that the _only_ way to bleed the system is to bring it to a BMW
dealer, where they will hook it up to their computer and a power
bleeding system.

I spoke to sleazy, late of reeky and sometimes UKRM, who I knew had
owned one of these (2001), and he said he didn't know of any other
way to properly bleed the system without hooking up to a BMW main
dealer's computer, to allow the ABS system to be flushed through of
all air and old fluid.

Is there any chance of an aftermarket tool to allow me to do what
the BMW computer does? Sleazy mentioned something called GS-911.

Aha.
https://www.beemershop.com/category/gs-911-diagnostic-tool-2926.html

A bit rich at $400, plus a cable, but brother isn't getting any younger
and all the local shops will be absolutely rammed with people wanting
their bikes sorted, plus if I do the job for him he won't be paying
the shop, so.

If anyone knows anything about the subject, I'm mostly ears.

I'm a bit spoiled because the FJR's ABS can be put into its bleeding
mode with a simple jumper wire and a bit of fiddling with the clocks.
Which I haven't done for probably going on 10 years now...

Mark Olson <olsonm@tiny.invalid> wrote in news:uvk41u$g2ha$1@dont-email.me:

> Older (!) brother has a 2001 R1150GS, which has been sitting for
> a while. When it came time to load it into the trailer while moving
> house, it displayed a remarkable lack of braking, which is to say none.
> The lever does get slightly firmer after repeated pumping, so I'm
> pretty sure it's got air in the lines, somehow.
>
> This is pre-"EVO" assisted brakes, but it does have ABS, I believe it
> is the "ABSII" system. His Clymer manual is rather detailed on all
> brake maintenance and repair procedures, but consistently declares
> that the _only_ way to bleed the system is to bring it to a BMW
> dealer, where they will hook it up to their computer and a power
> bleeding system.
>
> I spoke to sleazy, late of reeky and sometimes UKRM, who I knew had
> owned one of these (2001), and he said he didn't know of any other
> way to properly bleed the system without hooking up to a BMW main
> dealer's computer, to allow the ABS system to be flushed through of
> all air and old fluid.
>
> Is there any chance of an aftermarket tool to allow me to do what
> the BMW computer does? Sleazy mentioned something called GS-911.
>

these are handy devices. I had one for my 2000 R1150GS for reading and
clearing fault codes. You can actuate the ABS solenoid which cleared
a fault. I assume it got a bit sticky and a bit of physiotherapy sorted
it. There is no servo pump to flush the fluid on this model like the
post 2003 bikes.

see this post, same system
https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/brake-fluid-flush-1999-bmw-r1100rt-non-servo.289205/#post-4254882

there are bleed nipples on the ABS unit so you need to bleed there
first, then at the calipers. A Mityvac helps.

If you run into other problems, search that section of the forum for
hints. You can do that withoiut a login. That section is not behind
the paywall, so if needed, create an account and raise a query

wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:
> Mark Olson <olsonm@tiny.invalid> wrote in news:uvk41u$g2ha$1@dont-email.me:
>
>> Older (!) brother has a 2001 R1150GS, which has been sitting for
>> house, it displayed a remarkable lack of braking, which is to say none.
>> The lever does get slightly firmer after repeated pumping, so I'm
>> pretty sure it's got air in the lines, somehow.

>> Is there any chance of an aftermarket tool to allow me to do what
>> the BMW computer does? Sleazy mentioned something called GS-911.

> these are handy devices. I had one for my 2000 R1150GS for reading and
> clearing fault codes. You can actuate the ABS solenoid which cleared
> a fault. I assume it got a bit sticky and a bit of physiotherapy sorted
> it. There is no servo pump to flush the fluid on this model like the
> post 2003 bikes.
>
> see this post, same system
> https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/brake-fluid-flush-1999-bmw-r1100rt-non-servo.289205/#post-4254882
>
> there are bleed nipples on the ABS unit so you need to bleed there
> first, then at the calipers. A Mityvac helps.
>
> If you run into other problems, search that section of the forum for
> hints. You can do that withoiut a login. That section is not behind
> the paywall, so if needed, create an account and raise a query

Wow, this is great info. You're a star.

I've got a Mityvac and I'm not afraid to use it. I will check out
UKGSER.

So, to be clear, is it your understanding that just bleeding the ABS
nipples first, then doing the front and rear calipers will be good
enough, or will I need to actuate the ABS solenoid as part of the
bleeding process?

This guy, "The Old Mechanic":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vLA64JSk8s

seems to like the Motoscan app, and I already have one of the expensive
OBD-II adapters known to work with it.

OBDLink MX+, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JFRFJG6

I'm not sure if the Motoscan app would actuate the ABS solenoid or
not. But if I don't need to do that as part of the bleeding process,
then I suppose I won't need that capability anyway.

Mark Olson <olsonm@tiny.invalid> wrote in
news:uvk70k$gmnu$1@dont-email.me:

> wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:
>> Mark Olson <olsonm@tiny.invalid> wrote in
>> news:uvk41u$g2ha$1@dont-email.me:
>>
>>> Older (!) brother has a 2001 R1150GS, which has been sitting for
>>> house, it displayed a remarkable lack of braking, which is to say
>>> none. The lever does get slightly firmer after repeated pumping, so
>>> I'm pretty sure it's got air in the lines, somehow.
>
>>> Is there any chance of an aftermarket tool to allow me to do what
>>> the BMW computer does? Sleazy mentioned something called GS-911.
>
>> these are handy devices. I had one for my 2000 R1150GS for reading
>> and clearing fault codes. You can actuate the ABS solenoid which
>> cleared a fault. I assume it got a bit sticky and a bit of
>> physiotherapy sorted it. There is no servo pump to flush the fluid on
>> this model like the post 2003 bikes.
>>
>> see this post, same system
>> https://www.ukgser.com/community/threads/brake-fluid-flush-1999-bmw-
r1
>> 100rt-non-servo.289205/#post-4254882
>>
>> there are bleed nipples on the ABS unit so you need to bleed there
>> first, then at the calipers. A Mityvac helps.
>>
>> If you run into other problems, search that section of the forum for
>> hints. You can do that withoiut a login. That section is not behind
>> the paywall, so if needed, create an account and raise a query
>
> Wow, this is great info. You're a star.
>
> I've got a Mityvac and I'm not afraid to use it. I will check out
> UKGSER.
>
> So, to be clear, is it your understanding that just bleeding the ABS
> nipples first, then doing the front and rear calipers will be good
> enough, or will I need to actuate the ABS solenoid as part of the
> bleeding process?
>
no, you do not need to energise the solenoid - the system is fairly
simple, just hydraulic with the ABS release valve opened and closed by
the solenoid. Sometimes the solenoid gets stuck[1] so using the
diagnostic mode frees it.

> This guy, "The Old Mechanic":
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vLA64JSk8s
>
> seems to like the Motoscan app, and I already have one of the
> expensive OBD-II adapters known to work with it.
>
> OBDLink MX+, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JFRFJG6
>
> I'm not sure if the Motoscan app would actuate the ABS solenoid or
> not. But if I don't need to do that as part of the bleeding process,
> then I suppose I won't need that capability anyway.
>
>

UKGSer will advise re the motoscan - BMW bikes before 2017 used a round
ODB connector but there are adapters available
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Round-Diagnosis-Adapter-Scanner-
Connector/dp/B07DW6F6HM

[1] it is cycled when the bike is powered up. If the battery voltage is
low, it can fail the self test as it gets stuck in a liminal state,
neither open or closed. It usually self clears once the battery is
charged but not always.

wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:

>> I'm not sure if the Motoscan app would actuate the ABS solenoid or
>> not. But if I don't need to do that as part of the bleeding process,
>> then I suppose I won't need that capability anyway.

> UKGSer will advise re the motoscan - BMW bikes before 2017 used a round
> ODB connector but there are adapters available
> https://www.amazon.co.uk/Round-Diagnosis-Adapter-Scanner-Connector/dp/B07DW6F6HM

That one appears to be a 20 pin version, but if I am not mistaken,
the 2001 R1150GS has a 10 pin connector like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Exctool-Diagnostic-Compatible-Motorcycles-Connector/dp/B09VPD5756

"OBD2 Diagnostic Adapter Compatible with BMW Motorcycles Year 1996
to 2016 Round 10 Pin Connector to 16 Pin OBD II Female Cable"

> [1] it is cycled when the bike is powered up. If the battery voltage is
> low, it can fail the self test as it gets stuck in a liminal state,
> neither open or closed. It usually self clears once the battery is
> charged but not always.

Hopefully, all is well with the ABS unit and just bleeding it before
doing the calipers is all that needs doing. I'm going to have my
brother buy the OBD-2 adapter cable and the Motoscan app (we will
try the free version to see if it has the ABS solenoid actuating
capability before paying for more), but I think it will be a good
thing to have on hand regardless.

Thanks again for the pointers, I knew someone on UKRM would be au
fait with all this stuff.

On 15/04/2024 23:33, Mark Olson wrote:
> wessie <willnotwork@tesco.net> wrote:
>
>>> I'm not sure if the Motoscan app would actuate the ABS solenoid or
>>> not. But if I don't need to do that as part of the bleeding process,
>>> then I suppose I won't need that capability anyway.
>
>> UKGSer will advise re the motoscan - BMW bikes before 2017 used a round
>> ODB connector but there are adapters available
>> https://www.amazon.co.uk/Round-Diagnosis-Adapter-Scanner-Connector/dp/B07DW6F6HM
>
> That one appears to be a 20 pin version, but if I am not mistaken,
> the 2001 R1150GS has a 10 pin connector like this one:
>
> https://www.amazon.com/Exctool-Diagnostic-Compatible-Motorcycles-Connector/dp/B09VPD5756
>
> "OBD2 Diagnostic Adapter Compatible with BMW Motorcycles Year 1996
> to 2016 Round 10 Pin Connector to 16 Pin OBD II Female Cable"
>
>> [1] it is cycled when the bike is powered up. If the battery voltage is
>> low, it can fail the self test as it gets stuck in a liminal state,
>> neither open or closed. It usually self clears once the battery is
>> charged but not always.
>
> Hopefully, all is well with the ABS unit and just bleeding it before
> doing the calipers is all that needs doing. I'm going to have my
> brother buy the OBD-2 adapter cable and the Motoscan app (we will
> try the free version to see if it has the ABS solenoid actuating
> capability before paying for more), but I think it will be a good
> thing to have on hand regardless.
>
> Thanks again for the pointers, I knew someone on UKRM would be au
> fait with all this stuff.
>

Very late to the party. I have the Motoscan app. I bought the full fat
version - I needed to program the fuel level sensor in the ZFE. ISTR
it's not a whole lot of money. It definitely actuates the AB solenoids
in my (ex Turby) 2008 R1200GS

--
/Simon