I wonder how many out there have any interest on service of Wizzy brakes? I want to share my thoughts on how often flushing and bleeding of the integral ABS system needs to be done. BMW says every year; that’s either a big expense if you’re paying or a significant investment of time and effort if you do it yourself.
At this point in my life, I'm trying to abstain from tiresome tasks – not having much luck with that. (I did successfully swear off mounting tires.) When I bought my 2004 R1150R ABS, I didn't know what I was getting into. I'm now aware that people avoid buying that generation of oil heads because of the complexity of brake maintenance. Anyway....I soon was told that neglecting brake fluid changes would guarantee huge problems. The remedies would cost more than the bike was worth. Weirdly my Haynes manual didn't touch this topic. During my first year of ownership, I did find a competent independent to do the job. I was living in Colorado. I figured in a dry climate I could wait two years till the next service - that time arrived. The previous wrench was no longer available, and I didn't trust the dealership. OK...no choice...I'll do it myself. Luckily, I found excellent instructions written by Dana E. Hager & Charles B. Gilman. I've now flushed and bled the. system four times.
The only way I know to judge brake fluid is by color - clear is new or like new, yellow is still ok and brown needs to be changed.
What I observed on four DIY go-rounds:
First effort following another’s work: After two years in mostly dry climates, fluid leaving front brake and both control circuits, was clear as new; rear brake was a little brown.
Second go, two years later, in which the bike lived in arid Colorado and spent some time in humid Mid-West, all fluid leaving was clear as new.
Third time: I again waited two years. Bike divided time between Colorado and St Louis MO. All fluid leaving was clear as new
Fourth event: After two years the bike spent in humid St. Louis, Chicago and Ontario, Canada, rear brake fluid was slightly yellow; all other fluid was clear as new.
My conclusion is yearly brake fluid change is overkill. Changing every two years is demonstrably enough. In fact, I might wait three years until the next flush/bleed.
Any thoughts? Curious what your experience might be.
At this point in my life, I'm trying to abstain from tiresome tasks – not having much luck with that. (I did successfully swear off mounting tires.) When I bought my 2004 R1150R ABS, I didn't know what I was getting into. I'm now aware that people avoid buying that generation of oil heads because of the complexity of brake maintenance. Anyway....I soon was told that neglecting brake fluid changes would guarantee huge problems. The remedies would cost more than the bike was worth. Weirdly my Haynes manual didn't touch this topic. During my first year of ownership, I did find a competent independent to do the job. I was living in Colorado. I figured in a dry climate I could wait two years till the next service - that time arrived. The previous wrench was no longer available, and I didn't trust the dealership. OK...no choice...I'll do it myself. Luckily, I found excellent instructions written by Dana E. Hager & Charles B. Gilman. I've now flushed and bled the. system four times.
The only way I know to judge brake fluid is by color - clear is new or like new, yellow is still ok and brown needs to be changed.
What I observed on four DIY go-rounds:
First effort following another’s work: After two years in mostly dry climates, fluid leaving front brake and both control circuits, was clear as new; rear brake was a little brown.
Second go, two years later, in which the bike lived in arid Colorado and spent some time in humid Mid-West, all fluid leaving was clear as new.
Third time: I again waited two years. Bike divided time between Colorado and St Louis MO. All fluid leaving was clear as new
Fourth event: After two years the bike spent in humid St. Louis, Chicago and Ontario, Canada, rear brake fluid was slightly yellow; all other fluid was clear as new.
My conclusion is yearly brake fluid change is overkill. Changing every two years is demonstrably enough. In fact, I might wait three years until the next flush/bleed.
Any thoughts? Curious what your experience might be.
