ABS modification

[wildfire]

During searching the forum I have come across a lot of posts about removing ABS and using the standard non ABS setup. Now I like the ABS on the front but not so much on the rear.

Is it possible to just cap off the ABS port for the rear and run a brake line directly from the rear brake caliper to the rear brake pedal piston?. If yes would the standard non ABS FJ line fit or would I have to get a custom one.

[Arnie]

Can't answer your Q about the stock brake line length, but if you need/want my old one I think I have it around here somewhere.

I'm curious about what would happen if you cap the rear ABS port though.
Doesn't the ABS work by comparing the rotational speeds of the wheels against each other?  IF that's right, then wouldn't the ABS think the rear wheel was skidding and release brake line pressure to the front?

Anyone care to educate me?

[Harvy]

Can't answer your Q about the stock brake line length, but if you need/want my old one I think I have it around here somewhere.

I'm curious about what would happen if you cap the rear ABS port though.
Doesn't the ABS work by comparing the rotational speeds of the wheels against each other?  IF that's right, then wouldn't the ABS think the rear wheel was skidding and release brake line pressure to the front?

Anyone care to educate me?

I would have thought that it would not even get to that Arnie........ would it not just report an error and de-activate itself?


Harvy

[Pat Conlon]

I tried this, except opposite. I wanted to keep the abs on the rear brake. On dry road testing**I found that the abs interceded too early on the front brakes. The system started pulsing long before lock up threshold...of course this function is not adjustable on the FJ, unlike newer bikes..

I proved to myself that I could stop the FJ in a shorter distance with the standard mod upgrade (R1 blue spots/EBC-HH pads/ss lines/and 14mm m/c) I did about a dozen test stops from 30 mph, 60 mph and 80 mph.  At 30 mph the distance was about the same, at 60 mph the non abs stopped 8 feet shorter than the abs, and at 80 mph I could stop 17 feet shorter with the non abs than with the abs. I had more lever feel at the brake threshold point with the non abs brakes

** Of course all this would change on a wet road...I'm sure the abs would and should perform better than a non abs.

Based on this, I took the abs off the front brakes, intending to keep the abs function on the rear brake. I find it easier to lock the rear brake. I can feel better with my right hand than with my my right boot. I removed the 2 front lines from the pump and plugged the ports with M10x1.25 short bolts with crush washers. I then did the standard mod upgrade to the front brakes. I knew both wheel sensors had to be kept active, so that I did, keeping the oem rims and sensors..
The problem came up when I went to hook up the new FZ1 m/c.... the stop light switch on the FZ1 m/c was a simple 2 wire switch yet the stop switch on the oem FJ abs m/c was a 3 wire.. I figured out which 2 wires I needed to activate the brake light and wired the FZ1 switch to those 2 wires...I abandoned the 3rd wire in the FJ harness...

Well, my experiment failed. I could not get the rear abs to function. I don't know if it was related to the 3 wire vs 2 wire stop switch or the fact that I plugged the 2 front line ports on the abs pump....

I don't care. I'm going to ditch the front 3"wide abs rim and go with the '87/88 FZR rim and ditch the back 16" abs rim and go with a YZF600 17" back rim.

[wildfire]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Only one way to find out. So what are the thoughts on my question of using the brake line from a non ABS bike to connect from caliper to rear brake piston. Will the length be correct?

[yamaha fj rider]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Only one way to find out. So what are the thoughts on my question of using the brake line from a non ABS bike to connect from caliper to rear brake piston. Will the length be correct?

I know you posted this a few days ago but the answer is yes. Caliper and rear master are in the same place, ABS or NON ABS.

Kurt

[Chutem]

I have a '93 ABS & I removed the whole system. Hose from rear MC is the same as NON-ABS. My ABS never worked great & was a bugger to troubleshoot. I saved a bit of weight as the unit itself is quite heavy. Rerouted all the lines with new braided lines. My only problem is I can't get the ABS light to go out on the dash - pulled the fuse - still on. I may just have to remove the bulb.

[FJ_Hooligan]

What all did you remove, just the pump?

Under the tail is the ABS black box and relay.  You can completely remove the black box, relay assemble and the entire ABS harness.  All you'll have left to remove are the wheel sensors (I just left mine attached and disconnected them from the ABS harness).  This will turn off the light.

[Chutem]

I'll have to check about the sensors. The black box went though & the line connections are more direct now.