If you’re really set on having it done, call Terry Wolfe of WolfeWorx in London, ON.
1040 Hargrove Rd.
Unit 1
London, ON
N6E 1P5
PH: (519) 680-1122
Terry has prolly around 40 years of bike experience and he is a licensed mechanic as well as a licensed machinist. He has worked on countless XS650s - including mine. Two years ago my front timing chain guide failed completely and while I wanted to, and have the skills and tools, I simply didn’t have time to tackle it - so RobinC and I removed the engine and I took it to Terry. He did a complete top-end job on it (including sourcing OEM pistons and rings) and three weeks later, Lakeview and I popped it back into the frame in my garage in Windsor. Done like dinner.
Having said all that, before tearing into it, I definitely would take a careful look at both filters and in the sump - see if there are any long slender slivers of black plastic. As far as I can tell, that is the best indication of a failing guide - although, they can die in one piece as shown above in the photo from 5Twins.
In fact, come to think of it, there were slivers in my sump - BUT - the entire remainder of the plastic portion of the guide had become detached from the metal shoe as shown in 5Twins photo.
If you want to read the entire saga - search on "Lucille pulls another one on me".
I documented everything with "photographs with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back of each one explained what each one means"....<Alice's Restaurant for us oldies>.
Anyhow, as pointed out by others, removing the engine is simply not that big a deal and it certainly would save you a bundle of loonies and toonies. It can be done alone - if you are strong (the engine/tranny weighs about 165 lbs) but is easy with two people.
Before you ask, it is NOT possible to replace the guide with the engine in the frame. There simply isn't enough room above the engine to remove the camshaft cover / rocker box assembly.
Pete