Anybody swapped the brake resevoir to a normal motorcycle model? like this: seen a couple people change the actually can to a metal can but still not clean enough for me.... going to completely change my bike around when I get home..... no one will recognize it! so sitting and waiting here in UB I am going internet shopping..... haha
I have Ben. The remote reservoir broke off on my Beemer m/c so I bought one from a KTM 950/990 Adventure that has the built in metal reservoir. Looks exactly like the one in the picture, and it has the right bore size as well since both bikes run the same dual two piston Brembo calipers. I will get you a picture later tonight. One thing to keep in mind is that the brake switch on most motorcycles works differently than the BMW, so you will need to build a little circuit with a relay to go from "normally closed" to "normally open" (or was it the other way around?). Not hard to do, but it does add some wiring.
dude you are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i seriously owe you a beer for all the help you have been to me and my family!!!!!!!
I was thinking of trying the one off of a G450X. I haven't looked into the specs yet, since it's going to be a winter project.
thought the same thing!!! beacuse i know my old g450x being bmw might have the same plug for the brake light
No worries man, glad I could help. Do you know anything more about when the bikes will be picked up? I am going to Sweden for 10 days this Friday so I would have to arrange something if it's next week. That's not going to work well if at all, the 450 m/c is for a single caliper (probably has smaller pistons, too) and is not going to move enough fluid. Yeah, the remote reservoir is much more susceptible to damage or even just getting ripped off by branches etc. Of course you could fit one of the cute Touratech protectors... In my case I also got the whole used KTM (Brembo) m/c cheaper than just the reservoir would have cost me from BMW - even with a discount it's still $120.
BMW claims that due to the vibrations of the vertical twin that under rare circumstances cavitation can introduce bubbles of air into the front brake system thus we present bobble-head There are some details on the potential problem over on F800Riders.org. Here is an easy lowering kit if you don't see the potential problem as a big deal: http://f800depot.com/bmw-lower-brake-reservoir.html I have not studied the issue, and now "don't see" the bobble-head after 3 years, so I'm gonna leave well enough alone!
I use a zip tie to keep the bobble head from wobbling. No more problem. Not gonna switch to a Harley style metal enclosed reservoir. It's old style and makes it hard to see the fluid. Might go to a brembo rcs master tho...
Put a guard on it if your worried and go riding. There's way too much worry going on about a litlle wobbly resevoir.
Not sure if this was meant for me or not. I'm not sure yet which Brembo master would be the right one. They make a number of different options: 16x18 16x20 19x18 19x20 The first # is the bore size of the master the second # is the axis or pull distance of the lever. 16's are typically for bikes with a single disc vs. 19s which are for bikes with a dual disc. The axis or pull distance is personal preference "as that number increases it decreases the sensitivity and increases brake power." Lower numbers (x18) are said to give better feel to the brakes whereas bigger number (x20) more power to the pull. More info here: http://www.oppracing.com/pages/articles_brembo_master_cylinders/ Anyone know the volume or bore size of the BMW stock master cylinder? Keep in mind that this will not replace the bobble head urine bottle that people complain about. That is the resevoir not the master. Replacing the master will give better braking and feel. I have the 19RCS on my trackbike and it is pretty surprising how much better it brakes vs. the stock master cylider. Unless of course you order a new resevoir and clamp which is available from some shops: http://www.solomotoparts.com/catalog/Brembo-19RCS-Forged-Radial-Brake-Master-Cylinder-p-34710.html
Are you really looking to get a radial MC? For a standard axial I would say 15/16 mm with both calipers, 11/12/13 mm with the single caliper like Twalcom used. Depends on how firm you like your pressure point. I am not sure what stock is but probably 15mm, part description says "32727727050 HANDBRAKE ASSEMBLY, SMOKED GLASS - D=15" Does BMW really not even sell a MC rebuild kit?? Look forward to a whole new replacement for $360+.... :huh
Sure why not? I have the 19RCS on my trackbike and it is night and day in breaking and feel. Two finger pull and trail braking is much easier to modulate. You can find them less expensive than that tho... 16x18 for $261 or so.
Here are the pics I promised you a while ago Ben... I even reused the original line from MC to ABS distribution block but the angle of the banjo is not ideal. Fine for now, though...
I am riding the F800 to South America this fall. When I am going around a blind corner, and see the lane blocked by a passing car coming the other way, my last words will be, "at least I am taking the fluid reservour with me." Dave
What exactly did you have to change for this mod? I'm guessing it changes out the entire assembly, so you now have a KTM brake lever as well? I currently have the Wunderlich Vario levers, and like them a lot; would I have to lose those in order to do this?
I changed the entire master cylinder. I haven't tried it but I doubt very much that the BMW levers will fit the KTM MC. You can get adjustable and - even better - folding levers from FP Racing in regular or shorty length for the KTM MC.
I'm just gonna put the head of this on top: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413eH9GcxjL._SL500_AA300_.jpg