Found a listing on eBay for an ABS control module, and got to thinking if it would be worth it to convert my conventional system to ABS? Looks like I would need the ECU and Pulsar ring and sensor. Assume the wiring harness and possibly indicator dash light would already be there? Is it worth the effort?
ABS Brake Conversion?
- Thread starter memays
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Uncle Phil
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I can't address the ST1300 conversion but I have done a ST1100 standard to ABSII conversion.
I would not recommend trying it unless you have a complete ABS parts bike.
There will be things that you need - pumps, relays, mounting brackets, etc. - that you can't get anywhere else except from a donor bike.
On the ST1100, the ABSII wiring harness is a different one than on the standard which requires removing the old one and installing a new one.
It probably can be done, but it will not be done quickly nor is the project for the 'faint of heart'.
I would not recommend trying it unless you have a complete ABS parts bike.
There will be things that you need - pumps, relays, mounting brackets, etc. - that you can't get anywhere else except from a donor bike.
On the ST1100, the ABSII wiring harness is a different one than on the standard which requires removing the old one and installing a new one.
It probably can be done, but it will not be done quickly nor is the project for the 'faint of heart'.
Conversely, I have an St1300 ABS version with the dreaded ABS red warning light flashing. OEM ABS parts are non-existent or VERY expensive. Reliable recycled parts are also scarce.
As it sits, the brakes work fine. In my opinion, if you are riding at speeds or in condition where ABS would be needed, maybe you shouldn’t be riding! Is it possible to convert from ST1300 ABS version the ST1300 Basic version? If so, what is involved in converting it and registering it as a Basic version?
Asking from Ontario, Canada.
As it sits, the brakes work fine. In my opinion, if you are riding at speeds or in condition where ABS would be needed, maybe you shouldn’t be riding! Is it possible to convert from ST1300 ABS version the ST1300 Basic version? If so, what is involved in converting it and registering it as a Basic version?
Asking from Ontario, Canada.
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Uncle Phil
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There are lower speeds and conditions that happened beyond your control where an ABS can save your bacon.
That is based on my personal experience (1/2 million miles of riding ST1100s), not an internet influencer's opinion who has never slung a leg over a ST ...
Andrew Shadow
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Accidents do not happen solely because of a matter of a lack of rider skill, or because someone exceeded their skill level, or because of poor road or driving conditions. The car that unexpectedly pulled out in front of you , the child who runs out in to the road directly in front of you, the 50 pound vice that unexpectedly fell off of the service truck in front of you, etc., etc., are all events that are not planned or expected, have nothing to do with preparation, but they do happen. Without ABS the choice may come down to applying maximum braking force and hope that you can stop before you hit that child or you apply less braking force so that you don't slide and loose control while trying to swerve to avoid hitting that child, but you can't do both. ABS allows the option of applying maximum braking force and swerving to avoid that child without loosing steering control.
Andrew Shadow
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Pull out the fuse for the ABS and it becomes a non-ABS motorcycle in function. The hydraulic brakes will work just as effectively as they did before only without any ABS being available. I don't know if pulling the fuse will also disables the ABS light. If not, take the light bulb out and forget about it if you don't wish to repair the ABS.
Do you have to go through some kind of inspection process in Ontario where the ABS would be flagged? If not, I don't see why there would be a need to re-register it.
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not a chance... btw,,, I have seens a riders bmw abs system fail to function,,, because it had not been serviced for over 20 years. He went down,,, but was extremely lucky to not experience injury or much bike damage. It was a sickening sound though. He did not have any abs warning indicator lit, prior to the lockup. I have one st13 with abs,,, and one without. Both need system flushings this winter. You can't notice anything functionally different between them. The abs bike is noticeably heavier,, and the abs system is complex. I am a reasonable good wrench,,, and I would never try to install a parted out abs system. Someone said buy a new/used abs bike,,, and I think that is the only smart way to go. Even then,,, there is no guarantees that it will function. I often remind myself,,, that you don't really need abs,, until the split second that you do !! Cheers,, CAt'
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
ABS is one of those things like good protective riding gear - you don't need it til you need it then you are thankful that you have it!
I did not regret one bit the $650 I spent on a Hit-Air vest when the deer took me out at 75 mph with no warning.
I did not regret one bit the $650 I spent on a Hit-Air vest when the deer took me out at 75 mph with no warning.
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Having ridden ST1300s - two of them - both to 70,000 miles plus, I have never had the abs kick in except when deliberately testing it out - braking hard on gravel / wet drain covers. It works.
I don’t take risks or ride stupidly, but there have been times when I have needed to stop very quickly - enough to fear for my arms or the strength of the bars with them taking the weight of me and my pillion.
Don’t get me wrong, given the choice, I would want abs. Especially braking on a wet road. But it has never been required.
I don’t take risks or ride stupidly, but there have been times when I have needed to stop very quickly - enough to fear for my arms or the strength of the bars with them taking the weight of me and my pillion.
Don’t get me wrong, given the choice, I would want abs. Especially braking on a wet road. But it has never been required.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
In 1/2 million+ miles on the ST1100s the ABS kicked in maybe 3 times.
In all cases I was very glad I had it because they were all totally unexpected and no way to prepare for.
In all cases I was very glad I had it because they were all totally unexpected and no way to prepare for.
Andrew Shadow
Site Supporter
I have done a few hundred thousand Km's on ST11 and 1300's. Excluding when I have intentionally forced the ABS to activate to test it I can only specifically remember it activating twice. Both times I was in no danger so I had the wear withal to notice the ABS light flashing. The ABS on these motorcycles is quite inobtrusive and inconspicuous in its operation. Added to this is that when the ABS does activate it is only for a second or two and it releases immediately not allowing for much opportunity for it to be noticed.
Just a thought- In a true emergency panick stop our attention is obviously engaged otherwise than paying attention to see if the ABS activated for that second or two. I have wondered if under those circumstances we just aren't aware that it had activated.
There is a sickening ‘give’ in the brake lever when it activates and an accompanying ratchet type noise or sensation. It feels like the brake lever is no longer connected to the brakes. But you keep the same pressure on, let it work for you.
Actually, I have felt an odd single pulse when braking going down hill and hit a bump. The wheel lightens its load on the tarmac and the braking force is then enough to significantly slow the wheel relative to the other - just an instant. You do not feel a skid - the wheel has lost most of its traction with the road. All you feel is a bit of ‘give’ in the brake lever which is worrying until you realise what it is.
Actually, I have felt an odd single pulse when braking going down hill and hit a bump. The wheel lightens its load on the tarmac and the braking force is then enough to significantly slow the wheel relative to the other - just an instant. You do not feel a skid - the wheel has lost most of its traction with the road. All you feel is a bit of ‘give’ in the brake lever which is worrying until you realise what it is.
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It's hard for me to believe a BMW abs system failed or any other abs system without a warning light. ABS fault codes are set within milliseconds of a failure then the light goes on also all abs systems to a self check each time the vehicle is started. Common early BMW abs system failures were the abs pumps. ABS pump replacement was very expensive many times more expensive than the bike was worth so the owners decommissioned the warning light. ABS is not a save rider from everything, speed and road condition can overwhelm the system, I think of abs as riding aid.
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
@Andrew Shadow sez, "ABS allows the option of applying maximum braking force and swerving to avoid that child without loosing steering control."
With respect, I strongly question that statement.
There is a limited amount of traction in our tires, and you can spend that traction on cornering (swerving in this instance), or on braking in an emergency or quick-stop situation.
Attempting both simultaneously will usually result in a fall, and should always be separate actions.
I use "emergency" intentionally here, because panic is to be avoided. That implies the rider was unprepared, or caught unaware.
(That's why practicing quick stops and swerves regularly is suggested for ALL riders. We revert to our habits and what we practice, not to our knowledge.)
Our ST1300s do not have cornering ABS, so it is unwise to expect ABS to save you while braking hard with the bike leaning into a swerve.
With respect, I strongly question that statement.
There is a limited amount of traction in our tires, and you can spend that traction on cornering (swerving in this instance), or on braking in an emergency or quick-stop situation.
Attempting both simultaneously will usually result in a fall, and should always be separate actions.
I use "emergency" intentionally here, because panic is to be avoided. That implies the rider was unprepared, or caught unaware.
(That's why practicing quick stops and swerves regularly is suggested for ALL riders. We revert to our habits and what we practice, not to our knowledge.)
Our ST1300s do not have cornering ABS, so it is unwise to expect ABS to save you while braking hard with the bike leaning into a swerve.
It seems to me that abs systems are complex, and can be problematic in various ways. My neighbors late model r18 had a warning light come on after a mild rear end bump at a stop light. there was only minor damage,,, but the large bmw dealership couldn't get the abs light to go off. Since the bike was nearly new, many abs components were changed out,,, and he lost the use of the bike for most of that season. Since the system could not be cleared for normal function,,,, they were going to write the bike off. Then an EU (maybe factory) technician was diverted into Canada to sort it out. He has been riding the repair now for a couple of years,,, and tells me he prefers not to think about the abs,,, cheers,, CAt'
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
The ABSII on the ST1100s is reasonably easy to debug and sort out - and it works.
ABS prevents you normally from locking your brakes.
When you lock your brakes the bike will slide - sometimes upright, sometimes not.
A sliding bike will not stop as quick as a non-sliding bike nor is it easy to control, IMHO.
ABS prevents you normally from locking your brakes.
When you lock your brakes the bike will slide - sometimes upright, sometimes not.
A sliding bike will not stop as quick as a non-sliding bike nor is it easy to control, IMHO.
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
Not just your opinion, UP... but facts and physics.When you lock your brakes the bike will slide - sometimes upright, sometimes not.
A sliding bike will not stop as quick as a non-sliding bike nor is it easy to control, IMHO.
That's why riding motorsickles while sliding tires is seen *primarily* on race tracks by world class MotoGP or Superbike races or dirt tracks.
Or by pro-level stunters in parking lots.
In other words, not by mere mortals like me, or most of us, while commuting, touring or running errands.
I would dearly love to be able to ride like that, but I didn't start young enough, and at my age I don't wanna pay the price of learning.
At least in my mind, that price would likely be broken bomes and broken motorcycle parts.
But I do like to watch...
@Sadlsor, have you seen the BMW demonstration with the rider doing donuts, slides, wheelies, stoppies, skids, etc? The bikes have special brakes and an extra handlebar lever but the skill level of the rider is amazing. And he makes it look effortless. I wonder how many bones he broke learning. IIRC, the guy did all these on a tricked out race bike AND on a K1600 (dragging the mufflers during the wheelies).