Removing ABS
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 900
From: Columbus, Ohio
I'm not 100% sure, but I believe some of the aftermarket products allow you to keep ABS with a single disc. Thundermax comes to mind . . . I could be making it up, or confusing it with something else. Very possible . . .
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
(1) Remove ABS bearings and ABS speed sensors (acts as spacer). Install Std Non-ABS bearings and use Std Wheel Spacers Left-Front and Right-Rear (to replace ABS speed sensors)
OR
(2) Leave all your existing bearings in place if in good condition. Yes, even leave the ABS bearing installed. Remove just ABS speed sensors and replace with reduced length OEM spacers.
I've done it many times and can provide you with those "custom" spacers if needed. PM me for details
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
Wheels, no need to remove or replace bearings they work after the sensors are removed
Sensors, remove, excess don't need, follow wire up to connecting point and un plug.
Brake line, will need portion between master cylinder and brake junction at front wheels, or if still have factory lines, get entire front brake line from a non abs bike.
Rear same.
Unplug fuse, remove abs unit, careful with fluid and paint.
Ecm, difficult to do anything with the abs light on dash and other functions built into ecm.
Either get a non abs ecm for correct model year non ultra touring bike
Or live with light on, or crack open the speedo housing and take bulb out or an aftermarket unit such as a tmax.
My random thoughts, probably more to the process than I've described. Just dont over think it, if you can pull the fuse and it doesn't work, you can bet its a component system and all the components can be uninstalled.
Sensors, remove, excess don't need, follow wire up to connecting point and un plug.
Brake line, will need portion between master cylinder and brake junction at front wheels, or if still have factory lines, get entire front brake line from a non abs bike.
Rear same.
Unplug fuse, remove abs unit, careful with fluid and paint.
Ecm, difficult to do anything with the abs light on dash and other functions built into ecm.
Either get a non abs ecm for correct model year non ultra touring bike
Or live with light on, or crack open the speedo housing and take bulb out or an aftermarket unit such as a tmax.
My random thoughts, probably more to the process than I've described. Just dont over think it, if you can pull the fuse and it doesn't work, you can bet its a component system and all the components can be uninstalled.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 1,601
From: Eastern Ohio
I doubt they investigate it that far. When I wrecked my Jeep Rubicon I had the airbag fuses pulled out. I totaled the Jeep and they had to buy a telephone pole, transformer, and pay holiday overtime (Christmas eve). I hit the pole, flipped on my roof, slid down the street on the roof, hit a parked car, flipped back onto the drivers side door, and came to rest feet from hitting these folks house. Airbags never deployed obviously. Nothing was even mentioned about it. They paid it off, cut me a check, and that was that.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
I would think the easiest way to remove the ABS would be a set of brake lines going from the master cylinders to the calipers, bypassing the ABS actuators.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
I doubt they investigate it that far. When I wrecked my Jeep Rubicon I had the airbag fuses pulled out. I totaled the Jeep and they had to buy a telephone pole, transformer, and pay holiday overtime (Christmas eve). I hit the pole, flipped on my roof, slid down the street on the roof, hit a parked car, flipped back onto the drivers side door, and came to rest feet from hitting these folks house. Airbags never deployed obviously. Nothing was even mentioned about it. They paid it off, cut me a check, and that was that.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 20
From: Kafar Hanusi
I suggest pouring water on the brakes, heating them then cooling them below freezing, again, again till your left with what? regular brakes, the systems are flawed by design to fail after 3-5 years or longer in temperate climates, anyway so just leave the bike in the rain, sleet snow and poof, no more ABS.