2010 Hexhead R1200R Brake master cylinder

[majorsoftie]

My apologies if this has already been done to death, but I searched and was able to find very little.

After much bleeding, including the ABS bleed/purge, I still have an extremely soft front brake lever on my 2010 Hexhead R1200R. I also own an 09 RT with perfect brakes, so I'm very familiar with how it should feel.

Master cylinders seem to be unavailable (other than the occasional used on on Ebay) and rebuild kits also seem unavailable, so a used one would be a very low-odds crapshoot.

So, my question is: what are people doing in this situation? Is there another option available: a non-BMW rebuild kit or another MC that will work on the bike? Some other solution?

Thank you.

 

[drneo66]

What did you use to bleed them? And what was the status of them before you bled them?

 

[majorsoftie]

What did you use to bleed them? And what was the status of them before you bled them?

Started with working brakes, but front lever has long mushy travel before working, and can be easily pulled all the way to the bar.

Did a conventional bleed on the front, and the long mushy travel got slightly better: can't easily pull it all the way to the bar anymore.

Read up a bit on the bleed procedures for this bike and thought I should be able to get it better.

So, did this:
Conventional bleed: press lever, loosen bleed valve, tighten bleed valve, pump lever back up, repeat (all with bleed tube running to a jar with end always in the fluid.
Then, after doing both ends, I did: put bike on centerstand, turn rear wheel and make sure front brake locks rear wheel too, pull front brake, step on rear brake, loosen rear bleed valve, pump everything back up, repeat.
THEN, I did the GS911 ABS bleed procedure, twice.
Then I repeated all the bleed procedures.

Nothing was any better than after that first bleed, so I repeated it all again.

No change.

 

[oldcamper]

Does this bike have the $30 yellow foam sponge in the front brake reservoir?
Mine started disintegrating a few years ago and I experienced front brake lever to the bar, twice! That was a real eye opener, to say the least. A good flushing and new foam seemed to take care of the problem, but I’ve never really trusted the braking system on that bike since. Poor material selection and a questionable design, IMHO, as later models do not include the sponge.

Also, I wonder if the dearth of brake system repair parts for this bike is related to the fairly recent BMW lawsuit against Magura? If BMW quits stocking these parts and the OEM is contractually prevented from selling them to anyone else, what are owners supposed to do? There are plenty of these bikes still out there, and many with low mileage. This could become a real problem.

 

[88bmwjeff]

Years ago, I knew someone who went by Major Softies who was active on Boxerworks. Don’t know if you’re the same person, but if you are, then it’s good to reconnect. My username there is/was Jeff in W.C.

Anyway, I wish you the best on your brake bleeding.

 

[majorsoftie]

Years ago, I knew someone who went by Major Softies who was active on Boxerworks. Don’t know if you’re the same person, but if you are, then it’s good to reconnect. My username there is/was Jeff in W.C.

Anyway, I wish you the best on your brake bleeding.

HEY, Jeff in Walnut Creek! It is, indeed, The Major. I knew Curt Henry and Veg were on here, but I didn't know you were. I should have joined long ago.

I hope you are doing well, but how is your message going to help my brake issues???????

 

[majorsoftie]

Does this bike have the $30 yellow foam sponge in the front brake reservoir?
Mine started disintegrating a few years ago and I experienced front brake lever to the bar, twice! That was a real eye opener, to say the least. A good flushing and new foam seemed to take care of the problem, but I’ve never really trusted the braking system on that bike since. Poor material selection and a questionable design, IMHO, as later models do not include the sponge.

Also, I wonder if the dearth of brake system repair parts for this bike is related to the fairly recent BMW lawsuit against Magura? If BMW quits stocking these parts and the OEM is contractually prevented from selling them to anyone else, what are owners supposed to do? There are plenty of these bikes still out there, and many with low mileage. This could become a real problem.

It did not have the sponge in it when I purchased it, and I don't believe this year had that, but I'm not absolutely certain. It has the rubber top under the screw-on cap that collapses down into the reservoir as the lever drops.

I share your suspicions about the Magura suit contributing to the problem. I also suspect that there are Magura rebuild kits out there for other bikes that would work on my MC, but so far none of my search parameters have managed to find them.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Have you bled at that little bleeder on the MC, that uses a 6mm wrench? To the left of the reservoir.

 

[majorsoftie]

Have you bled at that little bleeder on the MC, that uses a 6mm wrench? To the left of the reservoir.

Yes, I bled that as well - twice.

 

[88bmwjeff]

HEY, Jeff in Walnut Creek! It is, indeed, The Major. I knew Curt Henry and Veg were on here, but I didn't know you were. I should have joined long ago.

I hope you are doing well, but how is your message going to help my brake issues???????

Good to hear from you. I sent you a PM.

BTW, I never said my comments would help you with your brake issues.