A new rider joins the fray... (and questions about brakes)

mm_marquez · Post by **mm_marquez** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 7:56 am

Hey guys!

I'm a long time reader, first time poster and would like to start by thanking all of you guys who write on the board for the information it has provided me for the few months of my bike ownership.

Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Mike and I'm from Sydney, Australia. I ride a 2003 R1100S BCR and am loving the bike to death... and my love for tinkering and customizing bikes has not at all done good things for the state of my health. I've been on said bike for the better part of half a year now and have begun to feel that itch to begin turning it into something different.

So heres my questions-!

As above, the bike is a 2003 R1100S BCR (the Randy edition)

It has ABS.

#1) SS Lines

I've noticed all over the net that manufacturers, namely 'Galfer', are pumping out SS lines for the R1100S. They even make separate lines for the ABS edition and non-ABS edition.

Regarding the ABS edition: 'what the heck?' Do they really make a difference? Also, the ABS edition that Galfer and HEL pump out are specified for ABS-equipped R1100S models up to Year 2000. Does the ABS system on the R1100S after 2000 change much on later model bikes?

#2) Wave rotors

I want them. Fronts and rear.

Any suggestions? Galfer or Braking? Cost? Can I do it in my garage?

I know Braking do one for my bike, but Galfer do them as well (they seem generally cheaper and I like their look better). The thing with Galfer is that they specify that their rotors can only fit R1100S bikes up to 2000 (same as their SS lines). So again- are the 2000 model brake rotors that much different (in terms of mounting points) from subsequent bikes?

#3) Calipers

I need some 6-pots for the front. Any suggestions where I can buy some and would they be willing to ship to Aus? Again I have ABS, so is this worthwhile? If possible, I would like to retain the ABS system, I just want the confidence of knowing I can stop like *#&.

Plus I just like the look of over-sized calipers.

And that should do me!

I hope I don't come off as rude by throwing all these questions into the air as soon as I introduce myself, but I've been scouring the net and this forum for a while for information on brakes and the curiosity has just come to breaking point!

So any opinions/suggestions would be much obliged! Please help any way you can, even if it is to say that I need a slap on the head.

I can already see a few people taking advantage of that last remark

Thanks all! And stay upright.

winger · Post by **winger** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 12:53 pm

Re brakes i'd try Galfers,i've had a Brakeing disc on the the rear for 10,000 miles and it's not worn well at all,here in the Uk Brakeing did a deal with Wunderlich so it's not possible to buy direct anyway,any other disc for any other bike you can go direct to Brakeing but not BM's!!!,so their not only over priced but wear badly as well!!!.

Re 6 pots with ABS bit of a contradiction me thinks,there is a kit of sorts for AP's but it only fits the early fork legs and it isn't cheap, i saw an 1100s a couple of years ago in Italy with Beringers on and they are just as good and just as expensive!!!,i have them on another bike.

gus · Post by **gus** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 1:26 pm

Hi
Welcome to the forum.
Heres my take on things.Im sure a few others will come along with their opinions and experiences.
ABS
Junk the lot and go back to a normal setup.2 braided lines from the master cylinder to each caliper up front.1 braided hose to the rear.Simple,cheap and safe regarding less things to go wrong.I,ve heard too many stories about ABS units going kaput and leaving you with no brakes and a large bill to put right.My opinion may differ to others who sing ABS praises.Each to their own.Depends on what YOU like or want.
Rotors
A few on the board have galfer discs,although i think they are all for the early type setup.310mm discs as opposed to the 320mm discs on later models.Braking do them aswell,but you have to go through wunderlich to get them which usually means a hike in price.Send a email to galfer direct and they will tell you if thay do discs for your model.
6 pot calipers
Again a few on the board have these and i,m sure they will come and offer there opinion on them.I,ve rode one the AP 6 pot equipped bikes and the brakes are amazing.The telelever front end really allows you to use them to the max,especially if you have a well setup after market shockabsorbers.However,most of these kits(pvm do them aswel)require the early type front forks to fit.They may do kits or adaptors for later models now,you will have to enquire to find out.

mm_marquez · Post by **mm_marquez** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:32 pm

Cheers to winger and gus! Thanks for your replies

Your suggestions are noted.

Particularly, the 'strip off the ABS one': interesting...

Would that be a simple 'open, rip out, close' kind of job?

I see a tangle of hard metal piping around the bike that looks like there should be nothing holding them but a few small screws here and there.

Most intriguing...

Jason M · Post by **Jason M** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:39 pm

Gus mate - your missus got her twins out yet? Oh err

Anyone remember Tony? He emigrated to NZ a few years ago... When I met him at Castle Combe his S had the AP setup, and it retained the ABS, so you CAN have your cake and eat it.

ABS.... I firmly of the belief that you don't think you need it.... right up until the moment when you do actually need it! I'd personally rather have (what I have seen with my own two eyes) a system that can take over when your brain has hit the red panic button than brake 2 yards later into a corner.

Jason

timbox2 · Post by **timbox2** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 5:57 pm

Just back from the NEC Bike show and there was a company there whose name has escaped for the mo but I will try and remember, anyway they can do wavy discs and bobbins, ( You keep the original centres) For £65 a side, or a complete 3 disc and pads package for £295, bloody name............

Ill keep thinking and let you know.

Got it, Stealth, Website: http://www.stealthproducts.co.uk/products/discs.php

oyster · Post by **oyster** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:16 pm

I spoke to stealth man at the show too. He confessed their early discs were cheap, similar to EBC, generally not very good, wore out quickly.
They now use a different and better steel alloy, finished in a nice black coating which comes off at pad contact point. I guess that leaves the black in all the little recesses which will help prevent rusting. £49.99 for the rear, which is what I was after.
I then asked Pro-bolt for some rear disc bolts, they didnt have a clue. Three sales reps on the stand. I thought the rears were the same as Triumph, they thought Honda. They had no catalogue to check. No sale.

gus · Post by **gus** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:27 pm

Jason M wrote:Gus mate - your missus got her twins out yet? Oh err

Hopefully they wont be coming out until the new year,which should just about give me time to rebuild(i do mean actually rebuild) the bathroom i so happily demolished a couple off weeks ago! I think the amusement in having to use a bucket is wearing off for her though!

ABS.... I firmly of the belief that you don't think you need it.... right up until the moment when you do actually need it! I'd personally rather have (what I have seen with my own two eyes) a system that can take over when your brain has hit the red panic button than brake 2 yards later into a corner.

I know exactly what your saying mate,i just couldnt help wondering if the buggers were going to work the other 99.9 % of the time!Thats me and my KISS approach to things.Then again my karma account is at a all time high.

all the best mate
gus

Jason

winger · Post by **winger** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 7:19 pm

oyster wrote:I spoke to stealth man at the show too. He confessed their early discs were cheap, similar to EBC, generally not very good, wore out quickly.
They now use a different and better steel alloy, finished in a nice black coating which comes off at pad contact point. I guess that leaves the black in all the little recesses which will help prevent rusting. £49.99 for the rear, which is what I was after.
I then asked Pro-bolt for some rear disc bolts, they didnt have a clue. Three sales reps on the stand. I thought the rears were the same as Triumph, they thought H*nda. They had no catalogue to check. No sale.

I've bought no end of stuff of Pro-Bolt,the catalogue is for Jap stuff,just take a sample with me,and say have you got any of those Mr!!!! works everytime.

boxerpan · Post by **boxerpan** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:26 pm

oyster wrote:I then asked Pro-bolt for some rear disc bolts, they didnt have a clue. Three sales reps on the stand. I thought the rears were the same as Triumph, they thought H*nda. They had no catalogue to check. No sale.

Triumph

mm_marquez · Post by **mm_marquez** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 11:04 pm

Rear disc bolts on BMW = Rear disc bolts on Triumph?

Having heard that, I read in another post on this forum that the front rotors on a certain Duke could be fitted to late model R1100S with no problems. Anyone heard anything about this?

boxerpan · Post by **boxerpan** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:28 am

mm_marquez wrote:Rear disc bolts on BMW = Rear disc bolts on Triumph?

Having heard that, I read in another post on this forum that the front rotors on a certain Duke could be fitted to late model R1100S with no problems. Anyone heard anything about this?

?? All 1100S discs mount straight to the wheel - and unless I'm mistaken all Ducs have disc carriers which mount to the hub ??

throttlemeister · Post by **throttlemeister** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 8:37 am

I think there are certain Duc with Brembo Goldline calipers that can be mounted directly on >2001 R11S and R12S. But not the disc's.

winger · Post by **winger** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:24 am

What kills the discs on the S is the fact their bolted directly to wheel,way to longer story to put it all on here,but beleave me Boxerpan and myself have spent hours trying reslove the problem,hindered by the fact early models have 310mm discs,never bothered putting too much info on here as there are only 3 people with the problem!!!

throttlemeister · Post by **throttlemeister** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:37 am

Since they are floaters I don't see the problem with that, but please elaborate. Interesting stuff should not be hidden away in the dungeons.