CBF600 ABS not working

yer man!

So I bought a 2004 CBF600 recently, I suspect that the ABS isn't working on it as it was possible for me to lock up the back wheel going at a low speed. The ABS light lights up when I turn on the bike and goes off after a go over like 10km/h or something, I assumed because this went off that the ABS was enabled and would work. Haven't had a need to properly use ABS yet thank god but just wondering if anyone has any experience of ABS systems on bikes and could this simply be a failed rear sensor or something? Or could do older ABS systems only kick in if the wheels are spinning a bit faster, I was only going a few km/h when I was locking up the rear wheel.

KonFusion

Does the rear wheel have an ABS sensor, or is it just the front?

The_Chap

Pretty sure it’s front only

thedeere

You need to be able to answer with clear cut answers. Has it front and back abs sensor?

The_Chap

Combined abs system for Honda only came first on the CBR600rr in about 2008 so doubt the 2004 CBF600 has it

yer man!

There's a sensor on both wheels anyway, I'm presuming that means ABS will work to reduce breaking to either wheel in the event of a skid?

The_Chap

yer man! wrote: »

There's a sensor on both wheels anyway, I'm presuming that means ABS will work to reduce breaking to either wheel in the event of a skid?

Ok, so if it does have abs, as you say the first step would be to replace sensor, usually a simple bolt on bolt off

Lumen

yer man! wrote: »

There's a sensor on both wheels anyway, I'm presuming that means ABS will work to reduce breaking to either wheel in the event of a skid?

ABS on cars works by detecting differences in speeds between wheels.

thos

yer man! wrote: »

I was only going a few km/h when I was locking up the rear wheel.

Some systems will only kick in at 15 or 20kmh upwards, I can’t say about your bike but I’d be checking it (safely) at a bit higher speed or checking specific speed for your bike.

two wheels good

A sensor failure would normally be flagged with a warning light. From what you say it seems the ABS light is functioning okay, i.e no fault.
Otherwise you could have the error codes checked by a mechanic before spending on parts.

I'd first check the sensors are clean and the gaps set corrrectly. Is there play in the wheel bearings? Was the wheel removed recently? Is it re-aligned correctly?

A different make of bike, but my rear ABS operation can be a bit crude too - esp. at low speeds, on rough surface, weight on the front suspension, maybe even when the rear pads are low.
If the fluid hasn't been changed for more than two years I'd do that too. Check the procedure. There may be a bleed nipple on the ABS pump too.

[EDIT] Not all relevant now that KonFusion has added clarity.

yer man!

Thanks for the help guys, there's definitely a rear sensor on the bike anyway. Will have a look at cleaning the ABS slotted ring and checking that the system has fluid.

Gap between the sensor and the slotted abs ring is about 1mm, same on both wheels.

Ordered a Haynes manual so hopefully that can walk me through most of the checks.

frozenfrozen

trace the line between rear brake caliper and rear master cylinder and you'll see if there is a rear abs unit. the sensor could be part of how the front abs works but just a total guess

galwaytt

thos wrote: »

Some systems will only kick in at 15 or 20kmh upwards, I can’t say about your bike but I’d be checking it (safely) at a bit higher speed or checking specific speed for your bike.

....has OP got an owner's manual, or look one up online: there would be a section on ABS operation in it.

At v.low speeds as thos states, ABS would be a hindrance.

thos

Manual here:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1068381/Honda-Cbf600sa.html?page=483#manual

Can't see specific mention of speed when the system is 'armed' but it does talk through the initial self-test, and the problem codes by blinking light.

yer man!

thos wrote: »

Manual here:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1068381/Honda-Cbf600sa.html?page=483#manual

Can't see specific mention of speed when the system is 'armed' but it does talk through the initial self-test, and the problem codes by blinking light.

Thanks for this! No manual came with the bike so I'll give this a good read. Today whilst driving actually I did notice when I pull the front brake a bit harder than the rear I can feel a pulsing in the braking. I'm assuming this means ABS is somewhat active on the bike.

galwaytt

yer man! wrote: »

Thanks for this! No manual came with the bike so I'll give this a good read. Today whilst driving actually I did notice when I pull the front brake a bit harder than the rear I can feel a pulsing in the braking. I'm assuming this means ABS is somewhat active on the bike.

Not really, you'd hear it as well.

I suspect that if the pulsing is modest, then it's one of the discs is out of true, or a sticking caliper........

yer man!

This sounds like it's gonna get expensive real fast :-P the joys. Thanks for the info, I'll get the garage to have a look at the ABS whilst I get new rotors fitted.