Im watching so many videos…. the whole rod knock seems so much different in sound to something like this video. I think this probably is a better video (EXCUSE BORAT)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a56xrIXYHBo

 

Sounds like a pretty good exuast leak out of the header where it mates to the cylinder head. Pull the shroud off and check for signs of black soot around the mating flange and double check trq on bolts.

You say the spark plugs were checked/changed and all tight at proper trq?

No cel?

 

Very similar to a sound I currently hear intermittently. I was thinking it was the beginnings of a TCT going, so I ordered one from Billman250.

I guess I have never checked the header/exhaust for a leak, that is not a bad idea.

In any case that is not rod knock, if anything that is coming from the valves or as suggested maybe an exhaust/header leak

 

Suppose exhaust is another avenue to try before bigger things are replaced. Ye spark plugs were changed a month ago, TCT was changed 2 months ago.