adding ABS to a RG
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
the wheel bearings? really? I don't see how they can be different. A wheel bearing is a pretty basic part...unless they are somehow externally different on the outer side to mate to some kinda sensor? They only sensor wire I see is to the calipers.
the 2009 is a complete functioning bike so everything needed is there. I guess one question is does the bike's ECM need to be swapped or programed? there is a separate ABS ECU thing that piggybacks the ABS module.
the 2009 is a complete functioning bike so everything needed is there. I guess one question is does the bike's ECM need to be swapped or programed? there is a separate ABS ECU thing that piggybacks the ABS module.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 1,601
From: Eastern Ohio
the wheel bearings? really? I don't see how they can be different. A wheel bearing is a pretty basic part...unless they are somehow externally different on the outer side to mate to some kinda sensor? They only sensor wire I see is to the calipers.
the 2009 is a complete functioning bike so everything needed is there. I guess one question is does the bike's ECM need to be swapped or programed? there is a separate ABS ECU thing that piggybacks the ABS module.
the 2009 is a complete functioning bike so everything needed is there. I guess one question is does the bike's ECM need to be swapped or programed? there is a separate ABS ECU thing that piggybacks the ABS module.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 5
From: CC, TX
yeah, checked my shop manual...yep..special wheel bearings with a magnet. Damn, that just tripled or quadrupled the amount of work involved.
I guess it really comes down to what's my time worth? I have everything needed, it's just basically I'm stripping down 2 bikes and then rebuilding 2 bikes.
It's not so much the complexity of the process as it is the lengthy time to get all the ABS stuff out and then transfer it over. Like I gotta do 4 wheel bearings...not a big deal if I already needed to replace 4 tires, which I don't so it is a big deal. plus digging out all the extra brake lines for the ABS valve thing.
basically it's looking like a full weekend job. the wheel bearings are probably the deal killer here...I would need a second bike lift as well as I gotta do both bikes at the same time...or just buy new bearings if I can't remove the old ones without destroying them.
how much is ABS worth to me? Probably not worth the amount of work involved for "free" ABS on the bike I'm keeping. Been riding for years without...plus not sure I want to mix ABS and non ABS riding styles/techniques since I have 2 other bikes without ABS...probably best not to have to remember do I have ABS or not when I gotta brake in emergencies...just do what I've always been taught about bike handling.
I've never had an ABS vehicle of any type. But I understand there is a "relearning" of braking techniques involved.
I guess it really comes down to what's my time worth? I have everything needed, it's just basically I'm stripping down 2 bikes and then rebuilding 2 bikes.
It's not so much the complexity of the process as it is the lengthy time to get all the ABS stuff out and then transfer it over. Like I gotta do 4 wheel bearings...not a big deal if I already needed to replace 4 tires, which I don't so it is a big deal. plus digging out all the extra brake lines for the ABS valve thing.
basically it's looking like a full weekend job. the wheel bearings are probably the deal killer here...I would need a second bike lift as well as I gotta do both bikes at the same time...or just buy new bearings if I can't remove the old ones without destroying them.
how much is ABS worth to me? Probably not worth the amount of work involved for "free" ABS on the bike I'm keeping. Been riding for years without...plus not sure I want to mix ABS and non ABS riding styles/techniques since I have 2 other bikes without ABS...probably best not to have to remember do I have ABS or not when I gotta brake in emergencies...just do what I've always been taught about bike handling.
I've never had an ABS vehicle of any type. But I understand there is a "relearning" of braking techniques involved.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,145
Likes: 6,168
From: SE Michigan
ABS is a safety net. In theory, if you brake exactly properly, ABS is not needed, you are just on the threshold of the wheels locking.
But that level of precision, in adverse conditions, in an emergency/panic situation is extremely difficult and almost never achieved.
Point is, that if you brake improperly (as almost literally everyone does, especially in an emergency), ABS will back you up.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Well, OP, I reckon you got where I was going with my previous comment. After it's all said and done, was it all worth it? You're figuring a weekend of work. ..that would be best case scenario.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
If you can swap out ABS in a weekend...you are badazz...I would bet my last dollar it would turn into several weekends...maybe months.
I just looked at the parts list...all 5 wiring harneses have to be changed...rear brake lines are different...good luck.
Last edited by Tom84FXST; Jun 29, 2017 at 09:43 AM.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 41
Likes: 5
From: CC, TX
weekend means all day Fri, Sat & Sun...long days...maybe a weekend to strip the bikes, another to rebuild assuming no surprises...but in the end I don't think the investment in my time is worth it considering I hadn't counting on doing wheel bearings X4 plus the special dealer brake bleeding that will also be needed. My preference is to avoid the dealer at all costs...
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
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From: Santa Clarita
weekend means all day Fri, Sat & Sun...long days...maybe a weekend to strip the bikes, another to rebuild assuming no surprises...but in the end I don't think the investment in my time is worth it considering I hadn't counting on doing wheel bearings X4 plus the special dealer brake bleeding that will also be needed. My preference is to avoid the dealer at all costs...
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Can't you just swap wheels over? AFAIK they are the same sizes, although they may be different styles. You don't have to have two lifts, just do one wheel on each bike at a time, jack up one bike then prop up on a suitable pile of lumber, swap jack to second bike and swap say front wheels, etc. Simples!
I wish I had enough garage space to dismantle two bikes at the same time....
I wish I had enough garage space to dismantle two bikes at the same time....