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In November 1989 Graham’s Motorcycles was launched. Committed to continuing to achieve the very high standards he had become used to during his 10 years at Allan Jefferies Graham has spent over 40 years of his life working with BMW motorcycles. Everything from simple servicing to engine rebuilds, restorations to custom projects, its all in a days work here at Grahams.
Here are some of the more common issues BMW Motorcycles are prone to, this list is not extensive & I will update it as often as possible.
This is also not intended to warn you off of BMW Motorcycles, All mechanical items have issues, All Motorcycle brands have faults. Overall I believe BMW Motorcycles to be one of the best and most reliable vehicles on the road.
From 2000 - 2006 BMW Motorrad saw fit to 'upgrade' there simple, reliable, tried and tested ABS design with the ABS/Servo system (Assisted brakes). Similar to the braking system in most cars, vans and lorries. When the brakes are applied a motor assisted pump under the tank applied modulated pressure to the callipers. Ignoring the fact that this was completely unnecessary overkill, it has turned out to be one of if not the most unreliable 'upgrades' BMW have ever installed.
Every unit seems to fail for the same reason, a faulty pressure sensor, which is a non replaceable internal component. When they were available the Servo unit cost upwards of £1500 (+fitting!) but we have been reliably informed they have none left and will not be producing more.
After lots of R&D I have come up with what I believe to be the best method of bypass for this system. The brake lines are simply re-routed, as the callipers and master cylinders are the same on factory non-servo models. The difficult part is the electrical bypass. I can re-wire the bike to stop the Servo unit starting up, keep the speedometer working normally and on can bus models keep the triangle warning light working normally (as opposed to covering it with tape)
The ABS systems installed on BMW Motorcycles prior to 2003 are overall very reliable systems. By todays standards they're slow and simple but in their day (1986!) it was groundbreaking technology.
A flashing Brake warning light could simply mean your battery needs a charge.
ABS Systems on BMW models produced after 2007 are generally very reliable but if you have a solid 'Brake Failure' warning light there are a couple of posible causes.
Sometimes an ABS fault could be as simple as incorrect wheel fitment, Others its a simple ABS Sensor failure but overall they're a very reliable component.
The most common being caused by poor connection to the pump motor. Generally caused by lack of use (of the ABS, not the motorcycle) the brushes inside the ABS pump motor become seized. We can rectify this fault by removing the ABS pump, Servicing + modifying the motor and reinstalling it.
For most large jobs undertaken at Graham's Motorcycles we take plenty of photographs. Not as proof of work completed but for customers who have a genuine interest of the inner workings of their motorcycle 'a photo is worth a thousand words'.
Below are jobs we think may be genuinely interesting to enthusiasts or may help give you an idea of the kinds of jobs undertaken here before bringing your bike in for similar treatment.