HEXHEAD Tech - R1200RT - Brake Fluid Change, 2007-current

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Clean nipple and press on to cover

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FINAL RESERVOIR FILL

After the calipers have been manually bled we fill up the reservoir one final time.

Picture below shows the max fill level marker inside the reservoir body.

Important note - if you are not replacing your brake pads at this time remeber to fill the reservoir to the orginal value else you have a good change of over filling the reservoir.

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Clean off rubber gasket and install into reservoir

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SPILLAGE - oh well slightly miss-calulated - clean off and draw some fluid out - try again

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Put cover on and tighten #2 Phillips screws securely

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Once the screws are in - I wipe off the area and do a few pulls of the brake lever to check for any additonal leaks and that I do have a functioning brake lever.

If everything is all set then we can proceed to do the rear brakes.

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FLUID REPLACEMENT REAR BRAKE RESERVOIR

Prepare the work area by

1 - remove seats

2 - remove right side saddle bag

The process for the rear brake will be the same as it was for the front.

1 - Empty the reservior of the old fluid and slightly fill

2 - remove rear caliper and push back pads

3 - remove old fluid from reservoir and refill slightly

4 - install caliper and bleed until clear.

Below is shown where the rear caliper reservoir is located.

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Rear reservoir fluid removal set up

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After the old fluid is removed - add some new fluid back in to just cover enough not to allow air in.

Remove the rear caliper as shown below with a T45.

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Remove the rear caliper off its mounts and push the pads back in a similar way as done with the front.

Again there are special BMW tools specific for this application.

SPECIAL NOTE - the front brake lever also actuates the rear brake - ensure that neither the brake pedal or the brake lever is activated as this may can push the pads out

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Remove fluid out of reservoir that was expelled into it from the caliper.

Refill about half way and install the rear caliper.

Install the screws for proper thread engagment abnd then torque to 24Nm

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Once caliper is installed set up for a vaccum bleed as set up below.

Conduct the vaccum bleed until clear fluid is extracted.

Always be monitoring your reservoir fluid level so you do not pull it too low.

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Once you have successfully obtained clear fluid thru the vaccum extraction, close off the bleed nipple and set up for a manual bleed.

This again is done to ensure that there was no air introduced into the line during the vacuum bleed.

Process.

1 - press brake pedal several times until you have firm resistance.

2 - make sure you have sufficient fluid level.

3 - while maintain pressure on the brake pedal open up the bleed screw

4 - inspect color of brake fluid being extracted.

5 - tighten the bleed screw BEFORE LETTING GO OF THE PEDAL - I can not stress this enough as there is a potential for air injestion

6 - repeat steps 1 - 5 until clear brake fluid is removed.

PROCESS NOTE - the bleed nipple cover for the rear caliper does not have a securing ring as the front ones do - therefore when you remove it - don't lose it

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After clear fluid is extracted from the mounted and torqued rear caliper, fill the rear brake reservoir to the max level as shown below.

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Once the rear reservoir is full, close it up.

Install seats and saddle bags.

FINAL INSPECTION

1 - confirm full, firm brake lever and brake pedal action - if not then that brake set needs to be bled again

2 - confirm no leaks - if any leaks at all they must be identified and corrected

3 - with items 1 and 2 succesfully met - take bike off center stand.

4 - test brakes while straddling the bike

5 - go for a road test, no issues you are done

Go for a ride clean up later!!!!