I've been thinking about this "problem" since shortly after I bought my non-ABS '06. I grew up riding bikes with non-linked brakes. This ST1300 is the first bike I've ever owned with linked brakes. Actually, my previous bikes all had "linked brakes" in that I was the link! As the rider, I was the "modulator" between the front and rear brakes, judging under each situation how to "modulate' the brakes. I'm not sure that I want Mother Honda deciding this function for me.
I've thought about removing the SMC from the equation altogether. I think the way I'd do this is to eliminate the hydraulic line from the SMC to the proportional control valve (PCV), remove the proportional control valve (PCV) and remove the hydraulic line from the PCV to the rear brake. Additionally, since this would mean the rear brake disk would only be using the middle piston, I think I'd look for a way to rework the rear brake hose setup so that the rear brake pedal activates the outer two pistons on the rear brake instead.
From the schematic in the link provided in post #52 above, it looks as if the "SMC" circuit is hydraulically separate, but this can't be. From the bleeding procedure, it is part of the rear brake master cylinder system hydraulically. So, I'd have to find a way to isolate the section I listed above as wanting to remove from the rear brake master cylinder hydraulic system. I'm thinking a bolt or two in the right places will work, but I'd have to look more closely at the system.
I really hate the idea of the poorly-designed SMC system ruining a trip (or worse, causing me to have an accident due to rear brake lockup). At 33K miles I've had no issues yet, but the system appears to be a time bomb waiting to go off.
Thoughts?
Uncle Lumpy