Weird engine noise on '05 Suzuki DL-650 with 62,000 miles ... what's my next move?

Hey folks:

Writing to you from Mendoza, Argentina. I've ridden my Suzuki V-Strom 650 2005 down from Washington State to Ushuaia Argentina and now I want to ride it back through Paraguay, Brazil and Venezuala. Something like 5000-8000 more miles. Then I'd like to sell the bike or ship it back to the States depending on what's cheaper. Apologies for posting in this forum, but from what I understand the SV650 and the V-Strom are remarkably similar so I thought I would post here to get some extra advice. I bought the bike used with 28,000 miles for $3400. All services were done properly; and though it does burn a little oil (1.3L every 3500 miles) I have never really had problems with the engine before.

While I was adding heated grips for the cold here, the shop owner came outside and told me that the engine sound didn't sound healthy. I have a . I took the bike to three separate mechanics all of which told me the cam chain slapping noise was obvious and that I should replace the chain and/or tensioners ASAP or risk destroying the engine. To be honest, I think I've had this noise for awhile but always thought it was a normal engine noise. It's a constant noise that varies with speed depending on how much I accelerate; and I hear a constant "tich tich tich tich" sound.

I took the time today to create two videos and two audio recordings of the sound I'm hearing. The first one is at the gas station and the second is in the parking garage.

The audio files are here:
Audio recording 1
audio recording 2

Youtube video at the gas station. Youtube video

Here's the youtube video in the garage (uploading now but should be ready later tonight):
Second youtube video

I have decided to do the following: On Monday I'll take the bike to a trusted mechanic referred by a different trusted mechanic.

We'll take the tank off and look at the cam chain. As I understand it, it should be tight and well tensioned. I shouldn't be able to pick up the chain and it should be tight against the engine. Then I can look at the tensioner and see if its worth out, and also to see if its on its final adjustment. If it looks like its in the final adjustment that pretty much guarantees the cam chain is toast.

In that case, I've located two 82RH-2010 Morse (manufactured in Japan and original Yamaha parts) cam chains 136 links each. At a cost of around $50 per chain which seems like a bargain considering the OEM runs $126/chain. The mechanic quoted me $160-200 to do the work which includes some kind of valve sync. This seems relatively in line with how much it would cost in the States. Anyway, that's my new gameplan.... for maybe $260-300 I'm back on the road again.

If you have any feedback on the noise, sound, or what you would do next in my shoes... I appreciate you taking the time to look!

Best,

Best,
david

[Bibio]

sounds like the throttle bodies are badly needing balanced. if the TB are out it will slap pistons.