Us old guys have very specific engine noise terms. Knocking is the worst possible term (bad rod or main bearings, ie death knell) Now chain slap or valve tapping from the top end that's not so bad. Take a big ole screw driver (you got one O them right?) hold the handle to your ear, put the blade on various places on the engine while it's making the noise. You will be able to isolate the noise and describe it much better. Report your results. It's your bike under your shade tree. Our ESP is sketchy this month, help us help you, capiche?
This isn't pointed directly at you but is common in what "the heck is wrong" threads; If you can't or won't do something we suggest TELL US. We can deal with that, but ignoring something you don't want to know drives the would be helpers nuts.
Asking for help here creates a contract. We suggest, you report, it's that easy.
OK back to the issue, knock, ringing chain slap, or click click noise? Always, under load only, throttle chop only, idle only or worse sometimes, hot, cold? It all helps. Have you changed oil checked cleaned filters, set valves, set cam chain?
Old bikes are projects. Truth. You have to learn to wrench and you will spend money, there is no way around it. If you have NO funds to spend on the bike, sell it now while it's still running and move on.