Started my annual service and found the cam timing a wee bit off that I corrected with the help of some BMW specified tools.

Cam alignment and chain tension tools.


Tool for finding TDC.


Cam chain tool in position.


Left side cams at TDC.


Cam alignment tool in place - cams slightly out of alignment.



Cam trigger sensor removed.


Crows foot to loosen the cam gear retaining nuts.


Adjusted and aligned.



Tighten cam gear nuts and install cam sensor trigger and align.


Remove chain tension tool and install cam tensioner with new washer.


Check the valves (all in spec), button up the bike and move to the next task.

How did you determine your cam timing was off? And any idea what caused it?

The alignment tool is used to determine alignment. It is a go, no/go tool.

As for cause....the bike is too new for cam chain stretch so I would assume it came out of the factory that way. The adjustment was quite small.

I assume you did the right side as well? If so, did you move the cam tensioning tool over the the right side or did you just leave it on the left side?

Yes - both sides. The tool slips over the cam fittings when aligned properly. It just a tool to check alignment and to hold the cams in place when tightening the cam gear nuts.

Thanks for posting this. I just received the tools and am ready to check my cams at the 6000 mile service.

Where did you buy these? Nothing like having the right tools for a job. Is there a service manual available that applies to the wetheads?

I have just started looking at this for my 2016 R1200GSA and found these at ASCYCLES. Scroll down to find the other two tools. I haven't ordered them and I suspect you could manufacture the TDC tool and jig, but the Cam Tensioner tool seems to be more tricky and is required to get the correct tension on the cam chain to set the valve timing.
The service DVD is also available at ASCYCLES and I just received mine. They were on backorder for a while.


Cam adjustment tools

I was asking about the cam chain tensioning device, not the alignment tool.

The cam chain tensioner tool must be used on each side to get accurate cam timing. Each side uses a separate cam drive chain.

Complete the cam timing check/adjust on one side, turn the engine crank two revolutions to return to the adjustment point, recheck your work
Remove cam tensioner and replace the tensioner piston and plug with a new crush washer.

Repeat this process on the other side with the tensioner tool installed and repeat the same process for cam timing.