Ah bollix

The dual-fuel Pan has failed its MOT on the ABS, which could mean a
900 quid bill. My inclination is to break it and sell it off in tiny
pieces. Can anyone come up with a good reason why I shouldn't?

I am not inclined to overlook its treachery in waiting for me to book
the train to Chimay before giving up the ghost.

 

I imagine if it cuts in before it should then it's very testable.

 

<on phone>

It's listed as "ABS light stays on, item not tested" so dunno.

 

The man in the shop (Bishop's in Bath, thoroughly good, honest place)
said it was failed because it was part of the braking system and
wasn't working, even though it reverts to normal braking if the ABS is
knackered. He then explained that a rear modulator is 900-odd beer
tokens, and that they are notorious for doing the wrong thing. It's the
second time the ABS has gone on this bike and, frankly, I'm inclined to
break it.

 

"could mean" is a pretty wide estimate. It could mean a whole new ABS
unit, or 1/2 hrs labour charge to repair a broken wire.

Why not take it in to someone who knows and get them to have a proper
look-see.

I like Pans, but I like well cared for ones that haven't been thrashed
around France on premix ;-)

P.

 

I think he's mistaken.

--
Champ

ZX10R | GPz750turbo | GSX-R 600 racer
My advice as your attorney is to buy a motorcycle
To email me, neal at my domain should work.

 

The last time I did that, it took a week to find out what the fault
was.

It hasn't been that badly cared for, paraffin notwithstanding; it just
has an unfortunate record with the ABS.

 

Timo and I have seen a BMW K75 with the ABS removed altogether and that
was legal. I think the ruling is that if it's fitted, it must work.

Take out the warning light bulb and take it another testing station.

 

Is the right answer.

 

Bring it to our place this Saturday and I'll get it a pass. Sort out
details with Adie about where to book it in and before it goes over
we'll just blow the bulb away as a precautionary measure.

 

Indeed it was legal to remove the ABS, but I'm not sure about the
latter. I just checked the MOT tester's manual for bikes on
www.motuk.co.uk and it states:

"The vehicle presenter must be advised of any defects found on an ABS
system"

Nowhere does it list "ABS warning light on" under "reasons for
rejection" and I think the keyword in my quote - which was the only
mention of ABS in the brakes section - is the word "advise".

'leccy tape over the warning light. They're not allowed to remove
it. That said, the new station is probably able to see why the bike was
failed before thanks to the computerised MOT system.

 

Not this week, because (a) I'm stuck with doing other things and (b)
there's also an issue with the front wheel bearings.

 

Front wheel bearings are 20 quid and half an hour's work.

 

<Proudly arranges collection of biros in shirt pocket>

--

 

Couple of other things are common too: battery connections (ask WUN),
and main ABS fuse (ask me). I'll post a url tonight to a good
troubleshooting guide I found. It's almost never the really expensive
items (modulator, control box).

I've got a couple of sensors that you are welcome to try too (I'm
keeping them for spares for when mine goes wrong). I think I'm a bit
nearer to you than Leics?

 

Cos bike ABS is not part of the MOT test. Your tester's a cock. Complain
to VOSA and then stab him.

 

Don't think it is, you know. If the warning light is on, that's a fail,
but AIUI if you take the bulb out....

No way of testing it, you see.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

ICBW, but I thought that, for a car with ABS, if the lamp doesn't light
at all then that's equally a fail as it does not function as designed. I
certainly used that as a haggling point on a SO SAAB.

 

yer tis: http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/st1100/absdiagnostics.htm

 

I stand to be corrected as ever, but I'm sure I heard it here...

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 145 2.0 Cloverleaf 156 V6 2.5 S2
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk