My first K75 had the early ABS. I hated it. Loved the bike so much, I replaced it with a non-ABS model. Still have it.

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My first K75 had the early ABS. I hated it. Loved the bike so much, I replaced it with a non-ABS model. Still have it.

I know what you mean, ABS is a lot like fuel injection, it got exponentially better over time.

When I would take my 2 year old GTI to a track day, Gold would come out and Blue would go in the night before, then just the opposite when I got home - Gold would go back in.

Braking from 145 to 50 then into multiple downhill hairpins really do a number not only on pads and rotors but the fluid as well... it only took one time putting my foot to the floor (luckily it was just cones not a wall I went through that time) to make me a believer in fresh clean brake fluid. It does boil, your pedal will go to the floor when you need it most, it's not worth the risk!

I think my realization was driving a neighbor's truck to the elevator, stabbing the brake pedal and bursting a rusty line (from the inside). Fortunately it was slow speed, a gasser with granny low and mostly flat and really rural.

My brother used to race UARA and USAC midgets and sprint cars. I seem to remember a test strip he used to check for moisture in the brake system. While searching for that I came across some electronic testers for this purpose. Anyone have or used one?

http://www.denlorstools.com/ho...moisture_tester.html

All this talk about brakes and whatnot got me thinking of 2 times this situation has happened to me. The first was my wife's Ford Tempo. It started pulling bad and the rotor showed heat damage. I replaced the pads, rotor and caliper. Still had a slight pull but not all the time. I could smell hot brakes after driving awhile. It turned out to be the rubber line. There was a flap of rubber inside that was allowing the brakes to be applied but would delay the fluid returning and cause the caliper to drag for awhile. In stop and go traffic it didn't take long to build up enough heat to do some real damage. On the open road the brakes seemed perfect. A few years later I had a Dodge Grand Caravan do the exact same thing. One thing both vehicles had in common, brake fluid that looked like used motor oil.

From the above experience I started flushing my brake fluid. I'm not saying this situation was caused from moisture in the brake fluid. I just don't want to expose the rubber parts of my brake system to moisture and heat if I can avoid it.

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Originally posted by Bones:
My brother used to race UARA and USAC midgets and sprint cars. I seem to remember a test strip he used to check for moisture in the brake system. While searching for that I came across some electronic testers for this purpose. Anyone have or used one?

http://www.denlorstools.com/ho...moisture_tester.html

It is a piece of garbage. I had two. One after the other. Unreliable.

Strips are best. But, on a P30, getting to the reservoir and removing and replacing the cap is half the job of bleeding. Speed Bleeders make it simple and quick. Fronts are a one man job, and rears require only an observer to notify when the color change occurs.

Dana
I'm not sure if this subject has been resolved, but some Breakaways have air brakes and some air over hydraulic brake systems.
Ours---a 1993 on Spartan chassis has air.
regards Bud

Good observation Bud! That is the trouble with trying to get ready for something out of my reach. I looked back thru and see I should have an EC-2000 which means I should have an Air-Boosted hydraulic brake system. Guess that is a whole new ball game. Thanks for pointing that out. More homework!

I would like to thank all Bill H and Moonbeam-Express and everyone who tried to put me on the right path. Now I understandMoonbeam say I nevr changed and Don telling Moonbeam ha-ha airbrakes. New direction!

3 weeks I have all the manuals and am flying down. I have limited time and tools to get back to Minnesota. Trying to go without checking any bags. Have to take small regional plane Phoenix to Yuma. What manuals or papers should I not leave home without?

Dana, send everything down to the current owner FEDEX or UPS a couple days before leaving. They will be there for the trip home.

Nick

That is an excellent idea.... Also I believe UPS will take up to a #50 box so you should probably send a toolbox with whatever you feel are "basic" handtools....

Excellent suggestion Nick! That is what I did. I sent a plastic tub "repair care package" filled with tools, tapes, wire, bungee cords, rags, towels, blanket, etc... (all the items I would normally carry in the Barth for minor roadside repair) ahead to the previous owners. It was there waiting for me and was a lot less than paying to put it on a plane and taking a chance it didn't get on the same flights as me when going from New Jersey to New Mexico. Best thing I did, as it gave me a little bit of a security feeling driving home knowing I could handle minor issues. I stopped at the local Walmart once there and picked up water, oil, trans fluid, brake fluid, windex and other assorted fluids for the return trip and away we went.
And, oh yea, as with all "insurance policies", as my repair care package was, I didn't need anything other than a couple of screwdrivers, pliers and crescent wrench and this was just to adjust the headlights, driving lights and fog lamps. It is REALLY dark on Rt. 40 in New Mexico and Texas at night and we couldn't really see the road. It is great when you don't have to use these type of insurance policies.....

Don't know if it was mentioned but get a road service if you don't have one already. Coach Net is good. Call them before being towed though, or you won't be covered.

It's kind of like that commercial. Where the guy pounds his forehead and say" I could have had a V8" I was thinking if I checked the books and some tools what if they missed the connection flight? The Rubbermaid tote is a great idea and will protect the items I send down. I'll figured a best guess emergency kit. Barth standard or metric or both? Duct tape is a given. Baling wire also a given. Another one that I have found to be invaluable is the industrial Zip ties. Pry bar, wrenches, crescent wrenches, screwdrivers. I almost never go anywhere without my leatherman. If I go out without it my wife considers me dressed up. Damn 911 I can't fly with it. Anything else I should have? Talk to me about insurance Coach net emergency roadside how soon does it take affect. Can i wait until I get there to bring home the coach? Anything else we should know. Bill NY and I have been using up all my bad luck so I will have nothing but blue sky and Good luck for the trip. I almost waited to bring it home so I could hit then http://barthmobile.com/eve/for...71059472/m/270106223 Sorry folks I couldn't wait. All my mother side of the relation live within 50 miles of there. I amy go by there on the way home anyway. It might depend on FUEL prices and time.