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Is it possible to remove ABS from my 2004 R850R? What parts will I need to change?

Jetblack,

I had a 1996 R850R. It had a switch to deactivate the ABS. Does yours? Why wouldn't that be enough?
If there isn't a switch, couldn't you simply add one? I think the ABS is fused separately from the rest.

I am quite happy with abs in working mode (no it can't be switched off) What I am thinking of is long term. I would like to keep and maintain this bike for as long as I can. I have an R51/3, that I rebuilt last year and am rebuilding a Norton 650ss at the moment. The R850 is my work bike commuting to london, 80 mile round trip. ABS is OK when it is working but when it goes wrong where do you start if you want to fix it yourself. What I really want to be able to do is remove it altogether when it starts playing up. I presume I could replace the master cylinders and run hydraulic lines to the brake calipers BUT is the abs system tied in with the ignition and who knows what else. I am of the KISS school of thought and should have bought a machine without ABS but fell for the sales hype. I have been riding for 35 years without ABS, I think it is an unnecessary complication. By the way when I finish the Norton I am selling it to finance the purchase of a R90s or maybe R75/5. Greasy chains and right foot gearchange who needs them!

I'm presuming that when the fuel injection system fails you will throw that over the hedge as well, replacing it with a couple of bing carbs.

Hi jetblack. If you'll go to http://www.advrider.com, scroll down and click on GSpot, then post your question; or go back several pages on GSpot and read the thread on removing ABS. Sorry I can't give you a direct link. Sarah

leno wrote:I'm presuming that when the fuel injection system fails you will throw that over the hedge as well, replacing it with a couple of bing carbs.

Hell I"m certainly tempted....

Hello Rice. I thought you'd left in a fit of pique

Est51 wrote:Hello Rice. I thought you'd left in a fit of pique

nah - just a flounce.

Leno, that would be great but I think Dellorto pumpers would be better. What I am asking is if, when the warranty has run out and the abs packs up am I doomed to pay out a fortune to keep the bike going or is there a way round it. advrider very good thanks Sarah.

Just a tad bit of C4 ought to rid you of the dreaded ABS lock-up. Pun intended.

jetblack wrote:Leno, that would be great but I think Dellorto pumpers would be better. What I am asking is if, when the warranty has run out and the abs packs up am I doomed to pay out a fortune to keep the bike going or is there a way round it. advrider very good thanks Sarah.

I know it's not a thing I would like to play with. But to take it off I would guess it's about as hard as heart surgery. But if the ABS does fail then it's failed but the brakes still work. It's the servo I think would be hard to sort. When the day comes I spect you would need to cut out the infected parts and build a plain simple system. The problem with that is the cross section of the calipers and master cylinder could be miss matched without the servo. As you may be aware the force you apply on the brake leaver is multiplied by the system so there is more force but less movement at the caliper. It's a leaver which may be the wrong lenth if the servo is not there.

Sorry Leno, but you're not helping very much by talking about Dellortos and master cylinder sizes. If you read the advrider and pelicanparts links you'll see that the master and slave cylinders are the same between ABS and non-ABS. The removal of the ABS is trivially simple, except for the issue of the brake light switch.
I can tell you that if my ABS/servos were to go bad one day, I will rip the servos out, as shown in the links.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost ... stcount=11

If Dallara were here now, he'd be telling you a thing or two about that ABS!

I personally didn't opt for it because of the price and the complications of maintenance. Just like I always buy lawnmowers and refridgerators with the minimum frills. Just something to break and have to get an "expert" to fix it. Nosiree! No gizmos on my fridge! Gimme an old fashion ice box any day!

Brilliant, thanks for all the links, seems like there is no problem removing ABS when the time comes. tinternet is wonderful no more fumbling about on yer own and being at the mercy of the local dealership. good on you all. Jetblack (phil)