BMW S1000 XR How to reduce startup rattle & camchain noise by swopping the Camchain Tensioner Cap

How to swop the original black camchain tensioner cap to the silver cap. A BMW replacement part to reduce startup rattle and camchain noise.
BMW Part No.11318534849 Silver CCHT Cap £27.90
At 34,000 miles, my camchain got really noisy. I also found that some XR owners complained about a start up rattle, especially where the bike had been parked up for a couple of weeks or more. I have never really noticed the start up rattle on mine as it lasts only a second or so and never bothered me.
Initial research showed a few owners replacing the BMW camchain hydraulic tensioner (CCHT) with a manual camchain tensioner; this mechanical tensioner has to be manually adjusted & fixed at the right tension.
I then found out several other owners had gone with the BMW fix, where the original "Black" cap which held the CCHT in situ was replaced with a "Silver" cap that had an extra 6mm of depth to push the hydraulic tensioner in further in against the camchain guides. I decided to try the BMW fix and see if it solved my noisy camchain issue. I also felt this fix would retain the hydraulic tensioning and the right tension would be applied to the camchain automatically as intended. And at the same time this fix has reduced the startup rattle.
BMW say that the Silver cap is only to be used on bikes that have mileages more than 9k miles (or 15k KMs). If the cap does not solve the issue then it should be removed and the original black cap refitted back on.
Disclaimer: Carry out the work and this fix at your own risk. This video as an aid memoir to help anyone who wants an idea of what is involved.

[@tle68]

I did that to my s1000r and it did fix it for a little while. I was against using aftermarket parts but couldn’t stand the rattle any longer so I went with a manual chain tensioner. APE is the brand and it’s very high quality. Problem solved and NO chain rattle for years now (not even on cold starts).

[@SuperBloder]

What can happen if i didnt fix this rattle on startip? I have a s1kr too

[@tle68]

@@SuperBloder If you don’t fix the rattle on startups, increased wear from the timing chain and other related parts. When you change the oil, noticed how much metal shavings on the drain plug. After I replaced it with the manual chain tensioner, I no longer have metal particulates on the magnet.

[@blackbird8639]

Hello I have a 2016 S1000XR. The mileage is 50,000 km and the upgraded parts shown in this video have been installed, but the loud and annoying sound continues to come out. So I'm thinking of installing a manual mechanical cap, but the mechanics say it could cause the cam chain to break. Is this true? I'm so curious.

[@tle68]

@@blackbird8639 if you over tightened the tensioner, it could cause damage. You want to tighten the tensioner until the rattle goes away.

[@jorgetrejos9912]

@@tle68do you have a video for it. And the link for the part ? 🙏🏻✊🏼👍🏼

[@morvy187]

very nice video with a good explanation and steps , i have started to notice this in my S1000XR as well for now i managed to put 1st gear in move it abit 2 3 steps than start the bike so i wont hear that strong rattle for 2 or 3 sec

[@NoShadowOfDoubt1]

Good information.. thank you

[@visualatoz]

Thank You great video

[@N269]

Nice. FWIW, I believe the CCT bolt is 24mm.

[@FunwithNick]

Hi, I have some small oil seepage from where the black cap is. Its very minimal but you can feel it with your hand after wiping and going out for a ride. What do you suggest I do?

[@Aaron-ci4lu]

do i have to pump out all the oil in the tensioner before install>>?

[@pilyomotoride7781]

If you park the bike for a week and start it does it still do the chain slap for a second?

[@Zukilover305]

Do we run the chance of wearing the cam chain tensioner slides out early with the increased force. Also has the factory suggested this.?? They ALL do seem to do this on this engine. If the fix was this easy???????

[@NinjaTTT]

Pressure is always the same, regardless if hole is 1mm or 1km. It's the flow that matters!

[@ThaSideWeed]

All you need to do is remove the right hand side fairing and you can easily access the cct while holding the plastic shroud with one hand.

[@danielbarberi7261]

Hi you. Nice video. Got a question for you, I’ve bought a 2015 s1kr with 41k km and when I’m downshifting from 2nd to 1rst with the clutch, mostly of the time while turning a corner or stopping at a stoplight, the engine stalls. I mean, it’s a very weird issue and I have no idea what’s going on with it. Did you ever have this issue?

[@judgesan]

I have 52k miles (87k kms) on my XR now and never had a stalling issue. I would suggest you take it to a competent BMW mechanic and have the issue diagnosed. Also have a look on the R forums and a google of the internet.

[@danielbarberi7261]

@@judgesan thank you very much for your response. I have adjusted my clutch lever and it seems to work well (for now). Not sure if it was the problem but for now is working as it should be. Again thanks for your response and for your video as well.

[@dennisvandervelde8713]

​@@danielbarberi7261 A bit late, but this is often caused by a poorly adjusted clutch lever sensor. Just bend the pin a bit more outwards so it touches the lever better. If this clutch lever sensor isn't working correctly, that could also break the working of the quickshifter.

[@alinutsualin3038]

Hi can you tell me please where did you found the silver cup or can you give me the link to the website thank you

[@judgesan]

The answer to your question is in the video and the description above. Buy it from your BMW dealer or any BMW part supplier. BMW Part No.11318534849

[@pilyomotoride7781]

Dealership just installed this to my 2018 s1000xr with 7k miles.

[@NoShadowOfDoubt1]

Have you considered a mechanical chain tensioners prior to getting this?

[@judgesan]

I did consider a manual tensioner but the fact BMW has developed a fix (the silver cap), I felt it was better to try the BMW fix. The BMW hydraulic tensioner also remains auto adjusting with the silver cap fix.

[@NoShadowOfDoubt1]

@@judgesan I fully agree...

[@Mr.Niubility]

what if, i put something 6mm in between the cap and tensioner. try something 2mm 1st see if this could help, then 4mm, max of 6mm......any suggestion?

[@MrProjekts]

the part costs £17 gdp from BMW direct no point

[@Mr.Niubility]

washer only takes few cent. thats a lot @@MrProjekts

[@MrProjekts]

@@Mr.Niubility I mean it's really not a lot and I wouldn't trust loose non OEM parts in my engine dude

[@KelsS1k]

hopefully doesnt happen to me yet specially on stage 3 tune.

[@misaelruiz7107]

After i install it a little bits of oil drain around the cap, very little, buts isn't normal, for what is this?

[@judgesan]

There shouldn’t be any oil weep or leak. Did you put take the o-ring seal from the old black cap onto the new silver cap?

[@misaelruiz7107]

@@judgesan yes i did, squeezed a little more and still spills

[@judgesan]

It will weep a wee bit of oil as you nip up the cap. Once the cap is tight, it should not leak/weep at all.

[@misaelruiz7107]

@@judgesan while the motorcycle is off isn't spills, but after ride i see that spill, only when i ride around the 6-12 k rpms

[@misaelruiz7107]

@@judgesan the o-ring loos good. The torque is the correct, and a little more

[@fabiogalli5347]

Invece io stavo pensando di cambiare la gradazione dell'olio, mettere un 10-50/60,a caldo dovrebbe migliorare,a freddo forse noo

[@judgesan]

Best to stick to 5w-40 Fully Synthetic API SL as recommended for the S1000 engine.

[@johnparton2050]

Shit dude you made that look hard work 🤦‍♂️

[@sthr2110]

Shit dude...if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything.