Cold start video

[Bikemad04]

Hello,

I am looking at getting a Gen 1 XR, a video below is one I’m interested in but I noticed when the bike is started for a second or 2 there’s a noise?

Had a quick search of the forum and it seems it could be cam chain rattle and is not uncommon,

My mate has a XR and on the weekend I’m sure I heard a similar noise as he started his up from cold but didn’t think much of it until I seen this video,

How much of a problem is this and can it cause any damage?

Thanks.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MLL8OFKx5y0&feature=youtu.be

[bazzer]

Cam chain tensioner lets it rattle until oil pressure builds, pretty much every one I have seen (including mine does this) It is annoying though.

[Bikemad04]

Originally Posted by bazzer

Cam chain tensioner lets it rattle until oil pressure builds, pretty much every one I have seen (including mine does this) It is annoying though.

Yeah I have seen it seems to be common, just wondered if there’s any danger with it,

The bike in question does have BWW warranty.

[Antares]

It's how it was designed in the factory. Whether it's a good design or not?

The rattle certainly slaps around and wears down the inside of cam chain guide over time, but many people run original tensioners well into the tens of thousands of miles, whilst also many just opt for a manual cam chain tensioner to end it once and for all.

For all intents and purposes, it's absolutely fine.

For bike longevity? Probably better off with a MCCT.

[Bikemad04]

Originally Posted by Antares

It's how it was designed in the factory. Whether it's a good design or not?

The rattle certainly slaps around and wears down the inside of cam chain guide over time, but many people run original tensioners well into the tens of thousands of miles, whilst also many just opt for a manual cam chain tensioner to end it once and for all.

For all intents and purposes, it's absolutely fine.

For bike longevity? Probably better off with a MCCT.

Thanks mate,

I’ll likely change it for a manual one for piece of mind, cheers.

[smithy]

Originally Posted by Bikemad04

Yeah I have seen it seems to be common, just wondered if there’s any danger with it,

The bike in question does have BWW warranty.

I'm of the belief that it shouldn't happen, it's the 21st century FFS, why can't thay make a cam chain tensioner that actually works like Honda, Kawasaki or Suzuki et-al.... my '17 XR rattled from "brand new" when I picked it up from the dealer, had less than 5km on it at the time, I asked the dealer what was going on and he said it was normal, I told him that was a load of "bollocks"...if it was normal, they would "all" do it....I have several other riding mates with Gen-1 XR's, R's and RR's and only one of them did it apart from mine....the others were quiet.

In my humble opinion, if the cam chain is making a metalic noise...it "must" by definition be hitting something metalic inside the engine....and the pic below is what I found on further investigation.

We must also remember that whilst the crankshaft rotates forward, the cam chain and cams in the Gen-1's all rotate backwards, this is why the CCT is at the front of the engine instead of the back like most normal bike engines.

If you fit a manual tensioner, the noise will never be heard again...period. I fitted a manual tensioner after the first 1000km service when once again my BMW dealer said the rattle was normal.....normal it ain't...and nor should it be. I haven't had a rattle since I fitted the manual CCT... and have only adjusted it a couple of times in the near 60k km the bike has done since....it's basically set 'n forget.

Smithy.

[Bikemad04]

Yeah I agree it’s something that I couldn’t just leave. Could anyone recommend where to buy a good quality manual tensioner for delivery in the UK? Thanks.

[smithy]

Originally Posted by Bikemad04

Yeah I agree it’s something that I couldn’t just leave. Could anyone recommend where to buy a good quality manual tensioner for delivery in the UK? Thanks.

I bought my APE item off fleabay..but there are many near identical ones available for 1/2 the price.   https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/385096152716?fits=Make%3ABMW&epid=1430438119&hash=item59a984f68c:g:V1AAAOSwUD5e2FWm&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsKu6kMeB4Q2sZNb%2Bn1bZrp8B6mb56Rxf%2B47TeMneFC2WDPkICxtMKxQf6h8yzcIICGaaD8cbuwJlh0qm9ali9RE%2Blfp5DFooPfLIygjanYUlzMPCV5Ex1GI7zO4tmjrI7ZJJFXUOj0f665Vlunb98SJ1779I8EbUOVGlcnayIeM52GWBHsDK%2BJ%2BQURWdfOrK2eLBrSzo0%2F%2FG1HVY5NLdg6KwZEkg9mZpLQQ9kTLW0SbZ%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7jo5NrOYQ

Smithy.

[Bikemad04]

Originally Posted by smithy

I bought my APE item off fleabay..but there are many near identical ones available for 1/2 the price.   https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/385096152716?fits=Make%3ABMW&epid=1430438119&hash=item59a984f68c:g:V1AAAOSwUD5e2FWm&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAsKu6kMeB4Q2sZNb%2Bn1bZrp8B6mb56Rxf%2B47TeMneFC2WDPkICxtMKxQf6h8yzcIICGaaD8cbuwJlh0qm9ali9RE%2Blfp5DFooPfLIygjanYUlzMPCV5Ex1GI7zO4tmjrI7ZJJFXUOj0f665Vlunb98SJ1779I8EbUOVGlcnayIeM52GWBHsDK%2BJ%2BQURWdfOrK2eLBrSzo0%2F%2FG1HVY5NLdg6KwZEkg9mZpLQQ9kTLW0SbZ%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7jo5NrOYQ

Smithy.

Thanks mate, found a seller on eBay from the UK 

[Salish1000]

I sure wish this forum allowed us to like comments, as I would surely give @smithy a like for his. Couldn't agree more. Fitted a manual on mine once I got it used. Purrs quietly ever since. I'm with those who say I don't want my high performance engine having any metal bang on any metal whatsoever. That great photo @smithy posted makes very clear what happens and those metal shavings were floating around somewhere we don't want them.

A small nig on this otherwise masterful engine, and we should all be grateful we aren't talking about Aprilia's and their swiss cheese metal cam parts. Don't ask me how I know!